7 spectacular Aussie gardens

Floral explosions of colour are bursting out of Carlton Gardens this week for the Melbourne International Flower and Garden Show.

But there’s some equally impressive horticultural magic happening in Australia’s own backyards.

Here are seven gardens that turn their properties into something truly special.

1. Hedged plains

Rolling hills are the attraction at this Mittagong home. 

Secluded luxury is the selling point of this Highlands retreat. You’ll feel on top of the world looking out over Mittagong Valley, Sydney, Blue Mountains, Appin and Berrima to the west.

The woodlands gardens stretch out forever and a day – with rambling walkways, water features, ponds and a parterre.

2. Poolside oasis

This Vaucluse home has a striking landscaped garden.

In the heart of Vaucluse, you’ll find this secluded garden oasis that makes a centrepiece of its sparkling mosaic-tiled pool. 

The sandstone terrace is surrounded by lush greenery and gum trees, providing privacy without blocking out those harbour views.

3. Attention to detail

The hedging at this Lindfield home is quite elaborate.

The design of this 1920s home was inspired by the owner’s trip to Italy and it shows.

Gardens with wysteria-draped pergolas are very Mediterranean-eque, but the stunning feature of this garden is the meticulously manicured hedging.

Trimmed to emphasise the Art Deco arches of the home, they highlight the incredible attention to detail in the design of this home.

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4. Rainforest retreat

The Koi pond at this Meadow property can be viewed from most rooms.

With its own private pontoon hovering over a vast Koi pond, this garden is pretty special.

The pond is surrounded by a magical rainforest garden with its own gorge that provides fresh water to the property.

5. Lakeside living

This lakeside property boasts a whisper-quiet location.

This resort-style retreat is the ideal getaway property in Noosa. If you like freshwater fishing, the property has an outdoor barbecue and teppanyaki area that opens directly onto Lake Webya.

The gardens that surround the lake are filled with native plants and fruit trees, including banana, passionfruit and paw paw. There is also a spring-fed lagoon that supplies water to the home.

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6. Botanical paradise

There is also a thriving vegetable garden at this Wilsons Creek property.

This 28ha rainforest estate makes the most of the natural landscape. The garden is a sweeping botanical paradise with magnolias, stands of bamboo, flowering plants and a myriad of fruit trees.

But the best part of this garden is its backdrop: mountainous ridge lines and endless rainforest.

7. Cottage charm

The garden in this Blackmans Bay home is like something out of a fairy tale.

A storybook country cottage with a garden path winding its way through enchanted gardens on either side.

The backyard is full of vegetable patches, fruit trees and an array of roses and other flora. There’s even room for free-range chickens.