September 26th, 2025Railway garden journey for cinema funds
Train enthusiasts and garden lovers are in for a treat next month. Daylesford Spa Country Railway will take them on a journey on Saturday, October 11 through bush and farms to two renowned country house properties for an open garden fundraiser for the Phoenix@The Rex Community.
The restored heritage train runs to the highest operating railway station in Victoria at Musk, a short walk from the two gardens.
Saturday, October 11, is the day to see Musk Manor, whose garden features on the ABC’s Open Garden program this month and Musk Farm, pictured, with its astonishing and beautiful 15 “garden rooms”.
Musk Farm began as a school before closing and falling into disrepair. The late leading designer Stuart Rattle bought it in 1998 and spent 15 years transforming the grounds into a semi-formal 1.4 hectare garden with “rooms” joined by paths and hedging, each aspect having a fascinating focus.
Inspired by grand estates in France and England, the “rooms” call up different emotions, with rare and unusual plans and a vast variety of hydrangeas, rhododendrons, viburnum and bulbs.
Thousands of daffodils and bluebells are underplanted in the woodlands. Other highlights include a fernery and rose-filled summer garden.
Musk Manor is a younger garden, marked by highly scented plants such as daphne, sweet box, choisya, osmanthus, roses and scented flowering bulbs and restful mountain views. Through leaf change and the blending of tones, the colours bring to mind an artist’s view of a garden.
Free talks on the gardens, open from 10am to 3pm, will be given by horticulture authority and The Local’s botanical writer John Beetham at 10.15am and 11.15am.
Dogs are not allowed on the open day and there is no parking available.
Trains will leave from Daylesford Station every 45 minutes from 9.30am and the last train leaves at 1.45pm and will bring people back to Daylesford after the gardens close at 3.30.
Lunch can be booked at Passing Clouds Winery while coffee, wine and local food vans will be at the properties.
