Spectacular Hunter Valley gardens that are worth visiting
Hunter Valley is worth being visited as a wine destination and for its beauty and lux gardens. However, if you want to experience something more than just wine tasting, we recommend you visit the gardens of Hunter Valley. There are loads of fun activities you can have with your family all-round the year.
Hunter Valley Gardens are located in the heart of this region and span across a swiping 14 hectares of land. Here you can find 10 differently themed gardens, shopping villages, dining options, accommodations, and custom-built rides.
So, stick with us as we take you through the details of the Hunter Valley Gardens in the following sections.
Table of Contents
Spectacular Hunter Valley gardens you must visit
Opened in 2003, different global locations inspire the 10 differently-themed gardens. All of these are unique and contain native and exotic flora. You will surely get mesmerized by the stunning views and themes of these spectacular Hunter Valley Gardens.
Chinese Garden
Cross the Chinese slate and walk through the Moon Gate flanked by two bronze Temple Guardians to enter the Chinese Garden. Some of the traditional elements you can find here include rugged rocks, raked decorative gravels, and slow-growing grass. This garden features Camellia Sasanqua, Conifers, Azaleas, Cumquats, Persimmons, and Mulberries among the flora.
Border Garden
Imitating the classic French Parterre Garden style, Border Garden houses intricate floral beds within manicured box hedging. Take your time out to stroll along the intertwined hedges of Hill’s Weeping figs with your loved ones, especially during the sunset. What’s more, the hand-carved Indian marble water features and statues, representing the four seasons, ooze an alluring and romantic charm. You can either stroll along the pathways or stand to admire the garden from the viewing platform.
Oriental Garden
Want to indulge in harmony, peace, and serenity? Then Oriental Garden is the right place for you. Tucked away from the hustle of the city, Japanese and Korean gardens designs influence this garden heavily. Words are not enough to describe the beauty of this place. Take a stroll through the precisely manicured and trimmed bushes, or sit and enjoy the surrounding view and koi pond from the pergola.
This garden is also a popular wedding destination in Hunter Valley. So, if you are there with your loved one and are planning your wedding, you can undoubtedly rely on Oriental Garden to do some magic for you.
Indian Garden
Carrying the aromas of Indian, Indian Garden stands true to its name. Enter this garden through 180-year-old antique Indian Gates guarded by bronze elephants and get immersed in the allure of pebble mosaic, Purple Ajuga, and Variegated Dwarf Agapanthus. Meticulously manicured, this garden also features a Tea House, where you can sit and unwind with the view of the garden and topiary elephants.
Rose Garden
As the name suggests, Rose Garden is about roses. This garden has a lux ambience, featuring around 35,000 rose bushes and over 150 different varieties of roses. Some of the famous rose variants here include Bonica, Blue Moon, Double Delight, Charles De-Gaulle, and Marlena.
At the heart of the garden are thirteen beautiful bronze statues of Imelda Roche and her thirteen grandchildren. Taking inspiration from the statues, the garden is also known as the “Grandmothers Garden”
Story Book Garden
Different from traditional gardens, Storybook Garden features statues and murals of nursery rhyme characters. This garden will take you through the memory lane of your childhood. As you stroll across the murals of larger-than-life nursery rhyme characters like Humpty Dumpty, Alice in the wonder world, Jack and Jill, and others, you may hum the rhymes as well. This garden is an excellent place to be visited with toddlers and children.
Italian Grotto
We are sure you have always admired the garden wallpapers on your phone or laptop. But what if we say you can enjoy such a garden in your real life? Yes, it is true. Step inside Italian Grotto and get mesmerized by the statue of Saint Francis of Assisi, lines of red Bougainvillea, pink Wisteria and cascading Geraniums, Pelargoniums, and other delights.
Experience the essence of an authentic Italian garden; it also features edible plants like lemon, olive, orange, and so on.
Sunken Garden
Featuring a 10-meter-high waterfall with a pergola on top, in Sunken Garden, you will get blazed with colours. You can visit this garden all round the year and enjoy evergreen and deciduous trees, flowers, shrubs, and meandering pathways.
Formal Garden
One of the most spectacular Hunter Valley gardens, here you can find designs and landscapes inspired by French and English gardens. It is one of the largest of its type in Australia. It features 3000 bushes of Chameleon roses, along with a variety of topiary and finely manicured lawns and Magnolia Grandiflora Little Gem trees.
There is also a wishing fountain inside this garden, which is a perfect spot to make a wish.
Lakes Walk
One of the most secluded areas of the garden, Lake Walk, is seasonal. Each season displays a separate beauty and allure of flowers, plants, and bushes. The garden’s waterways are lined by perennial borders and are the home to Lake Rotunda. This garden is also a popular wedding destination, with Hunter Valley Gardens Chapel as its background.
Best time to visit Hunter Valley gardens
You can visit the spectacular Hunter Valley gardens any time of the year. However, if you wish to witness celebration and festivity, we suggest visiting this place during winter. Be amazed by the stunning Christmas Lights Spectaculars (November to January) and enjoy the fun of Snow Time in the winter.
Other times to visit this place is during
- Easter Celebrations- April
- Spring- September– November
- Mega Creatures– April
- Wedding Fair– February
Suggested duration to spend
You can spend your entire day exploring the gardens. However, if you cannot spare your whole day, we suggest you spend at least 4- 5 hours exploring the allure and charm of this place.
Opening Hours
Hunter Valley Gardens remain open from 9 am to 4:30 pm and 6 pm to 10:30 pm.
Ticket price
Adult- $32
Child- $25
Child below 3 years- Free
Family pass- Starting from $75
Senior- $27
Reaching Hunter Valley Gardens
Self-drive – Drive via the M1 motorway, following the Cessnock/Hunter Valley Vineyards exit sign to Cessnock.
By train – Take Central Coast & Newcastle Line train services from Sydney to Newcastle and Hunter Line train services from Newcastle to the Hunter Valley town.
With a day tour – Book Hunter Valley tours from Sydney and enjoy the surrounding without the hazel of traffic.
Wrapping it up
Hunter Valley Gardens display the most extensive garden in the Southern Hemisphere. Wherever you decide to visit first, you will be swiped away with beautiful scenic views. Either go on a leisurely walk or dine in a restaurant or go shopping, the spectacular Hunter Valley Gardens will never disappoint you.
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