One of Australia’s finest native gardens is opening to the public in October. Wartook Gardens is home to around 2000 species of Australian plants and is commonly referred to as the best native garden in Victoria. In the coming weeks the five-acre garden, accessed by a winding track that is also wheelchair friendly, is set to burst into a spectacular ocean of aromas, colour and delight.

Owners Royce and Jeanne Raleigh are opening their garden to the public as a fundraiser for the Wimmera Health Care Group Foundation which raises money to support the Horsham and Dimboola campuses.

Mr Raleigh said since the garden became established, he and Jeanne had opened it every few years to support the foundation.
“In that time we have raised over $20,000 so we get great numbers of people come out for a look,” Mr Raleigh said.
“We usually get them from three different states coming for a look but I guess that won’t be possible this year,” he said.
“We get a lot of people come along that aren’t really garden enthusiasts.

They are visiting just because it is a fundraiser for the hospital and then they quickly become amazed at what they find.
“I just hope we can still have the event.” Mrs Raleigh said the opening usually aligned with the Pomonal Flower Show and would be on the Sunday of that weekend.
“We thought we would try a two-day event this year so that will be October 2-3.”

The Raleighs moved to their Wartook property in 1974 and from a bare paddock, they have established one of Australia’s finest native gardens. The garden has hosted more than 130 species of birdlife. The flora includes the official Victoria Hakea Collection and 69 garden beds with families of Acacia, Beaufortia, Dampiera, Dryandra, Eremaea,Eucalyptus, Hakea, Lechenaultia, Melaleuca, Regelia and many other unusual, low rainfall area plants.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            
There is also an exotic section as well with 150 Roses, plus Irises, bulbs, aquilegias and an organic vegetable garden.
• Wartook Gardens is open October 2 and 3, from 10am-4pm at 2866 Northern Grampians Road, Wartook.
Entry is $10, children free. Enquiries 5383 6200 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
• Wartook Gardens Grampians Open Garden PLANTS FOR SALE and BBQ lunch is organised by Laharum Hall Committee. Suitable for wheelchairs and lots of seating.

Printer Friendly Verson