April 27th, 2024Macedon Ranges gardens open to public
Garden lovers are in for an Anzac Day weekend treat with the chance to visit two extraordinary private historic properties opening in the Macedon Ranges, with Open Gardens Victoria both today and tomorrow, April 27 and 28.
Resting at the base of the picturesque Macedon Ranges, Bolobek is a unique working farm with glorious gardens and a rich social and agricultural history.
Since 2006, current owners Brigid and Hugh Robertson have invested extraordinary passion and energy into the continuing renovation and rejuvenation of this magnificent property.
Bolobek was established over a century ago by Oswald Syme, the youngest son of David Syme, founder of The Age newspaper. Mildred, Oswald’s wife, directed the creation of the original garden, and many of the trees and shrubs remain from that time, including rows of lindens, mature poplars, and oaks that provide the garden’s backdrop.
In 1969, Robert and Joan Law-Smith purchased Bolobek. Lady Law-Smith was a talented gardener, botanical artist, and writer, and the garden rose to prominence under her direction, welcoming royalty and other dignitaries.
It was one of the first gardens to be opened under the auspices of the Open Gardens Australia scheme in 1983.
Today, the property is listed on the Victorian Heritage Register as having “aesthetic, architectural, historic, and horticultural importance to the State of Victoria.”
“We arrived at Bolobek in 2006 in the middle of a severe drought,” says Brigid.
“So the first couple of years were spent maintaining and observing the garden. It was obvious that one of the most important requirements was a new watering system.
“There was also a significant amount of tree remediation and replanting that was needed.”
Bolobek is at 370 Macedon Road, Macedon. Rafaels Coffee will be providing hot drinks with Hesket Estate wine sales and plant sales from Autumn Joy Nursery and White House Nursery.
Located in one of the oldest settled areas in the Macedon Ranges, Cadella Park is a private family home and working farm with a rich pioneering past.
Open Gardens Victoria will open the historical property to the public for the first time today, April 27 and tomorrow April 28, to celebrate the inaugural Cadella Park Open Garden & Fair.
Cadella Park’s extensive park-like gardens, original circa 1845 stone homestead, and historic collection of farm buildings are set across eight acres with a backdrop of rolling pastures and views to Mount Macedon and Hanging Rock.
The property is regarded as a significant nineteenth-century farm complex, with roots dating back to pastoral lease maps in 1839.
Known previously as ‘Oatlands’, the original 650-acre property cropped oats and was the scene of a damaging fire in 1911 when 50 tons of harvested oat and wheat straw were destroyed.
In the 1930s, Cadella Park housed prestigious horse racing stables (home to 1933 Melbourne Cup winner Hall Mark) and later an internationally acclaimed Murray Grey cattle stud in the 1960s.
The main home, the original stone homestead and a restored barn are among the historic outbuildings that Cadella Park owner Jo Ann Beck says will be utilised for the opening.
Cadella Park is at 109 James Road, Cadello and is open from 10am to 4.30pm.
Garden architect Simon Rickard will lead a garden tour and talk at 11am on both days – with stalls, food and drink by Prunella – a pop-up store, plant stalls, garden equipment and more.
Both gardens are open on the weekend from 10am to 4.30pm. Tickets for each garden are adults $15, tertiary students $10 (with ID), under 18s free. TryBooking
Words & images: Contributed by Open Gardens Victoria
