Above: Private hills gardens will be open to the public during October, some for the first time.
SPRING has sprung and the hills are alive with garden, food and wine events this October.
Private gardens will be open to the public on the 23 and 24 and 30 and 31 October, some of them, such as Allandayle and Coonara Springs, for the first time.
Anyone interested in seeing how a modern fire bunker can be incorporated into a beautiful garden shouldn’t miss a visit to Mernda Heights on 31 October.
All Open Gardens have a $6 entry fee, with proceeds going to the CFA.
Kenloch will open its historic gardens on 2 and 3 October, with Tim Orpin hosting guided tours and lectures on woodland plants on the Sunday, and cultivation and propagation of trilliums on 9 October.
Tours are $30 and lectures $45 and both include a Devonshire tea.
Also in the lecture series, on 10 October, David Daly will host a session on cool climate plants for today’s landscapes at Conifer Gardens Nursery, and Craig Wilson will present the art of bonsai at Gentiana. Both cost $20. Call 9751 1009 to book.
Food and wine lovers who’ve have been saving themselves for that perfect dinner out need wait no longer.
Dinners with a touch of decadence are available at Woods of Sherbrooke and The Pirianda Experience on 16 October, Coonara Springs on 22 October and Wild Oak on 29 October.
They will include matched wine and multiple courses of fabulous food.
Luscious Lunches are back with a spring flavour on 4 to 8 and 11 to 15 October where $30 will buy two courses and a glass of wine at Fortnums, Ripe, Ranges, Immerse, Seasons at Cloudehill, Coonara Springs, Churinga Café, Pig and Whistle, Wild Oak and Friends on the Hill. Diners who fancy an enlightening brunch should check out speakers such as Anne Creber on 12 October at Seasons of Cloudehill (9751 0168) and Holly Kerr Forsyth at Rose Cottage (9294 8140) on 24 October.
At only $30, these brunches promise to be entertaining, informative and simply delicious.
For more information on all events pick up a Spring Fest Events Guide from Olinda’s new Visitor Information Point at Stockdale and Leggo or visit www.inspiringinspring.com.au.
