Secret Gardens of the Dandenong Ranges

Early bird tickets are now on sale for the Secret Gardens of the Dandenong Ranges October 17-20 & 24-27. Proudly presented by Dandenong Ranges Tourism, The Secret Gardens of the Dandenong Ranges 2018 will open the gates to some of the Dandenongs' finest privately-owned gardens. Fill your senses with unforgettable sights, gourmet foods and the scent of Spring, while Botanical Tour Guides Eddie Wasbutzki, Margi Petzke and the garden owners themselves share with you their expertise and the stories behind the gardens.

The 2018 Spring program will be a treat for garden lovers far and wide. New additions to the tour include the Philip Johnson garden – with a focus on sustainable habitats that help to heal the earth and create spaces to completely unwind; Bickleigh Vale Village – the original 10-hectare village, built and landscaped by Edna Walling; The Underground House – an earth-sheltered home nestled into a gently sloped garden connected to a system of ponds, streams and a waterfall; Mont du Soleil – a truly unique 15ha property, inspired by the buildings and grounds of Italy and France; and Kenloch – an exquisite Spring garden with a long history in the Dandenong Ranges, both as a wedding and function venue and now a private residence.

Previous favourites from the 2017 program will also see the return of The Keatings, Joost Bakker and of course  Mernda Heights – as recently featured on ABC's Gardening Australia.

With so many destinations to choose from, each week offers a different program every day. This year's Spring program also extends further than ever before, with a selection of four different dining experiences to complement your day. Treat yourself to the Fine Dining Experience at Coonara Springs and delight in contemporary Australian cuisine, founded on a philosophy of house-made and locally-sourced produce that celebrates the region's offerings. Indulge in a Gourmet Picnic Lunch at the Ferny Creek Horticultural Society, taking in their expansive lawns, banks of colourful Azalea, Rhododendrons, Pacific Coast Iris and views of the nearby hills and The Great Dividing Range. The Village Experience provides an opportunity to choose your own lunch destination in the charming villages of Sassafras or Olinda, and the Puffing Billy Experience will take you on a first class journey from Belgrave to the historic Nobelius Packing Shed, Emerald, over a two-course meal whilst travelling through temperate rainforests and wide-open fields with views of Cardinia Reservoir to Port Phillip Bay.

Each day begins with refreshments at Karwarra Australian Plant Garden before departing by bus for the day's tour, then returning once more to Karwarra for a glass of wine and hors-d'oeuvres.

Providing the perfect gift for Mother's Day, get your early bird tickets before midnight April 30 and save 5%. There are only 50 places available for each day - so be quick! 

For the full program, tickets and further accommodation deals visit secretgardensofthedandenongranges.com.au.