Please follow the map below. Gardens will be sign-posted with blue and yellow flags and numbered.

FestivalDirections

InformationFor further information, please email Diana Lisle at

walchagardenclub@gmail.com(prefered method of contact is email) or call 02 6777 3948 or 0429 799 083.

WALCHA GARDEN

Saturday 19th & Sunday 20th November 2016

Walcha Garden Club proudly present six beautiful

cool climate gardens

Proceeds go to the Westpac Rescue Helicopter Service and local charities.

BUS COMPANIES / TOUR GROUPSIf required, prior to the event please advise numbers for

catering purposes and your selected garden drop-off point. Pre-packed lunches are available for $10.00 per person,

and include a sandwich, slice, tea/coffee. For catering, contact Robyn Lyon at rushbrook2@bigpond.com

(prefered method of contact is email), or call 0428 400 686.

ACCOMMODATIONPlease contact Walcha Visitor Information on 02 6774 2460.

1. Wyandra Approx. 32kms east of Walcha along the Oxley Highway

2. kanimbla Approx. 11km from highway on Sam’s Flat Road

3. wirraway Approx. 7.5 kms from Yarrowitch Hall on Wirraway Road

4. springvale Approx. 4 kms from Yarrowitch Hall on Springvale Road

5. MIRRABOOKA Approx. 2 kms from Yarrowitch Hall on the Upper Yarrowitch River Road

6. rushbrook Approx 14.5 kms east of the Yarrowitch Hall along the Oxley Highway

Thun

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olt’s

Way

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lt’s W

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Top Dale Road

St Leonards Creek Road

Waughs Road

The Lakes Road

Walcha

TamworthNowendoc

9km

17.7km

6km

4km

4.6km

10km

4km

14km

1

3

25

6

4

Gardens1. Orandumbie2. Sallywood3. Branga Plains Manager's Residence4. Branga Plains Homestead5. Prairie Fields6. Bungara

Spend a leisurely weekend exploring beautiful, cool climate, private gardens to the south of Walcha, in the picturesque New England region. Grab some morning tea or lunch, relax under a shady tree, or browse the arts and crafts stalls displaying the talents of Walcha locals.

ENTRY FEESingle Garden Ticket ............................................................................$4.00 Weekend ‘Garden Pass’ ..................................................................... $20.00Tickets available at all gardens. A Weekend Garden Pass covers entry into all gardens and is valid for both days.

HOURSGardens open from 9.00am until 5.30pm Please note, only gardens are open, owners homes are private.

LOCATIONSFollow the map on the back of this brochure and keep an eye out for the blue and yellow flags and numbers.

REFRESHMENTS & LUNCHAvailable at selected gardens. Sandwich ................................................................................................$5.00 Tea / Coffee / Drink ..............................................................................$2.50 Slice pack ................................................................................................$2.50

KEY

Sandwiches Morning/Afternoon Tea

Plant Stall Water Hazard

Toilets

Alternative toilets – McHattan Park in Fitzroy Street Walcha, or next to the Nowendoc Community Hall off Thunderbolt's Way.

Please note, children MUST be supervised at all times.

1. Orandumbie Daniel & Carnie Kermode – 13 The Lakes Road. “Orandumbie” is one of Walcha’s historic properties, with the house being built

by the Fletcher family in 1863. Its elegant proportions are a testament to the craftsmanship of a bygone era. Since moving here in 2002 the owners have re-created some of the cottage gardens after trimming the elm tree lined driveway. There is an old fashioned rose avenue along the carriageway, an ancient cork tree (quercus suber), fairy garden, courtyard garden, lovely old lanterns and the stonework is amazing. After moving the garden fence, the original tennis court is now part of the garden and is surrounded by a rosemary hedge and arbour with sweeping views to the Apsley River.

2. Sallywood Jim & Jules Young – St. Leaonards Creek Road. The “Sallywood” garden encompasses two hectares of extensive sweeping

lawns and garden beds in a 1,250mm (50”) rainfall region of the Walcha district. This garden has a wonderful collection of mature exotic and native trees, of which most were gifts from members of the family dating back to the 1980’s. Local rock has been used to create garden beds. Plantings include roses, rhododendrons, camellias and shrubs. A handful of trusted perennials and bulbs are repeated throughout the garden to give a harmonious effect. Wet areas of the garden are planted with English bog iris (pseudacorus), day lilies and Louisiana iris. A spring fed dam, stocked with trout, supplies the garden with water. A large country garden that will delight any visitor. Well worth taking a picturesque drive through rolling hills and pastureland to see.

3. Branga Plains M A NAG E R ' S R E S I D E N C E

Keith & Sue Hourigan – 11427 Thunderbolts Way.

Arriving at this garden, visitors will see mature trees including elms, radiata pines and crab apple trees which were part of the previous home on this site. The present garden owners have used existing plantings of floribunda roses, silver birch, buddleia and photinia and various trees and shrubs to create new or extend garden beds. An opportunity arose a few years ago to extend the garden on the western side. Garden beds were established and planted with escallonia, buxus, succulents, grasses, iris and tradescantia (spiderwort). Further interest has been created using large pots which have been strategically placed around the garden. To further compliment the house and garden a ha-ha wall was built to extend the northerly aspect of the garden. A meandering path has linked the old and new garden along with several vantage points for seating – to sit, ponder and enjoy the surrounds.

4. Branga Plains H O M E S T E A D Guy & Suz Lord – 11427 Thunderbolts Way. Visitors to this garden have the opportunity to see a collection of mature trees

in a beautiful country setting. Spring blossom is a feature of this garden which includes crab apple trees, aesculus x carnea (red horse chestnut tree) and various fruit trees. The driveway leads into a small courtyard garden filled with the florinduna rose ‘bonica’, clipped buxus hedges and a stunning birdbath. On the northern side of the homestead are rock gardens filled with favourite roses. A sweeping staircase flows through a bank of colourful perennials including roses, tradescantia and peonies. A tennis court which overlooks a beautiful dam, provides wonderful views beyond. Adjacent to the dam is a masterfully built water feature from enormous rocks sourced on the property.

5. Prairie Fields Max & Julie Ireland – 11008 Thunderbolts Way. A creative, family friendly garden is set in a small picturesque hidden valley

of undulating pastures. This garden keeps evolving and extending as new ideas, plants and knowledge comes about. It is referred to as a ‘Friendship Garden’, as many plants and ideas have come from friends. The use of colours, shapes, contrasts and texture is used throughout this garden as the owner has an interest in floral art. There are plantings of mollis azaleas, clematis, roses, bulbs, berberis, golden and burgundy physocarpus along with many deciduous trees including birch and maples. Dry stone walls were created using rock sourced from the property for wide, sweeping beds filled with interesting shrubs, ground cover plants and perennials for every season. A garden cottage, “Nanny’s Cubby”, is set in the back garden alongside a tranquil grove of silver birch, under planted with hellebores and bulbs. Great thought has been given to artistic placements throughout this colourful garden.

6. Bungara Neil & Colleen Stackman – 460 Topdale Road. This garden has evolved since 1988 and has also endured a tornado which

destroyed the owners first home in 2002. Coming from Barrington near Gloucester, to Niangala with a completely different climate, certainly had its challenges. Visitors are greeted with a stunning array of hedges including Tom thumb euonymus (main hedge), English box, hebes, Japanese box, three varieties of escallonia, nandinas, along with under plantings of snow in summer, seaside daisy and catmint. Robinia mop top trees add to this stunning combination. A sunken garden accidentally became a feature of the rear garden when a neighbour was trying to build a dam. Tree ferns on the original site were given to the owners who in turn planted them in the sunken bank which became a garden. There two succulent gardens which are solely maintained by Neil. Out of adversity a garden with great interest has evolved.

Six Gardens