October 10th, 2026Castlemaine festival
Explore stunning private gardens during the Castlemaine and District Festival of Gardens from Saturday, October 24 to Tuesday, November 3.
A curated selection of 19 gardens will open their gates to the public for ten days up to, and including, Melbourne Cup Day.
Whether you’re an avid gardener or simply enjoy nature’s beauty, these serene havens provide inspiration and relaxation in equal measure.
A number of properties are located in Castlemaine itself, while others can be found a short drive away, in outer-lying areas of the Mount Alexander Shire.
How many you visit is entirely up to you, as this is a self-guided experience. There is no need to book – just check the schedule on the festival website or in the printed program to see which gardens are open which days (many are open every day of the festival). All gardens will be closed on Wednesday, October 28.
The theme of the festival, The Solace of Gardening, recognises how the garden, and indeed the act of gardening, holds such a special place for so many of us.
There are health benefits; it can be a chance to connect to nature and an opportunity to create and be surrounded by beauty.
Visitors will be inspired as they meander around a diverse selection of gardens, with their creators on hand to share their knowledge.
Several properties offer plants and handcrafted items for sale, providing an opportunity to take home a memento of your visit.
The festival showcases grand country gardens, historic gardens, sustainable gardens and town gardens of many varieties. Regular visitors will be delighted to see a number of gardens which have been part of the festival for many years, together with six exciting new gardens to discover.
To help plan your visit, a souvenir festival program is available for purchase from the website www.festivalofgardens.org, as well as from retail outlets around Mount Alexander Shire and Bendigo.
Entry to each garden costs $5 per adult, children free. Payment is by cash, direct to the gardener at the gate.
