Wildwood Garden

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Posted 2013-09-09 by Linda Moon ⇒ follow

Granite paths meander through the quiet greenery while bell-birds ring overhead. A turn here reveals a stunning walkway of electric pink azaleas, a turn there an aisle of frothy cherry blossom or a garden bench. Sloping down, the land leads one to a flowing waterfall, ponds and finally to a small lake.

After a drive through the lush greenery and apple orchards of Bilpin, offers a chance to stretch the legs, partake of a tasty snack within a cafe and wander amidst eye-catching scenery. Located in a pristine, country lane in the Hawkesbury region, this cool climate garden, a mere eighty minutes drive from Sydney, offers respite from the hectic pace of city life.

The Gods themselves couldn't have planned a better spring day for our visit. As the car rolls into the driveway we are greeted by the peaceful ringing of multitudes of bell-birds. In fact, turns out to be a birds paradise with lorikeets, King parrots and other species splashing colour and bird-song throughout the greenery.

Before we embark on our garden adventure, we start with lunch upstairs in the tea-house. A little like an eyrie, the interior is airy and bright and spies down upon the nursery and the grounds below. Expansive windows looking out to the treetops and garden vistas give one the sensation of eating outdoors. With its light coffee-coloured cane chairs, the tea-house (in actual fact an enclosed verandah) is a cheerful and pleasant space from which to enjoy a light lunch, morning or afternoon tea or a snack. With the bell-birds ringing like chimes, I am soon sleepy and happy.

The business of eating interrupts. We choose the quiche from the selection of sandwiches, pies, pastries, cakes and other snacks, and we aren't sorry. The home-made quiche and its accompanying salad make a pleasant light summery lunch in keeping with the season.

My partner spots a black snake dangling from a beam in the vaulted ceiling and stifles a scream. Catching sight of it, my four year old daughter shrieks. Later on, we learn that this is a rubber snake, whose intention is not to freak out guests, but to keep away nesting birds; a function it has performed most successfully. It seems the birds are just as well fooled as the humans.

With a restless four year old in tow, we reluctantly leave the peaceful haven of the tea-house. In European style, one is funnelled into the garden via the shop entrance and then out again. On the way through, my daughter is mesmerised by the many intriguing and colourful jingly jangly items in the shop.

We spend the next hour or two exploring [it takes at least an hour to circumnavigate and explore the twelve acres of the garden].

Standout sights include the cherry walk, a sparkling azalea walk and the camellia garden featuring over 600 varieties of camellia. A blossoming crab-apple and the magnolia's, including the iolanthe magnolia with its gigantic head-sized flower, are truly stunning and become subjects for my camera. Unfortunately, the daphne hedge with its exquisite smell, isn't blooming today. Neither is the dogwood. Which means another visit another day.

Flowing waters wash over stones, cascade from a five metre waterfall, and recycle water within three ponds. The water, surrounded by benches, ferns and trees, provides coolness and acoustics.

There is also a rainforest walk, the Dragon's Den and Fairy Garden featuring unusual sculptures, a huge sandstone sofa and many rare and unusual plants.

As the season changes, other parts of the garden flourish and sparkle. In summer, the Rose Garden becomes the highlight, while in autumn the Maple garden comes into its own.

We find ourselves at the bottom of the garden, relaxing by the small lake by topiary horses. There are lots of benches to relax upon, or if a picnic takes your fancy, there's grass aplenty.

My daughter enjoys the goldfish in the lake and the topiary winged horse, while my partner relaxes on a wooden bench in the sun.

Established thirty-one years ago, Wildwood first opened to the public in October 2012. Prior to purchasing the property, owners and self-proclaimed passionate plant people, Wayne and Sue Tapping had an extensive background in retail and wholesale nurseries. "We really have a passion for plants," Sue says.

When I remark upon the loveliness of the area, Wayne explains that they cleared the tiny roads in the early eighties and made many street plantings. He is chuffed to learn that this section of the Bells Line of Road is now known to some as 'millionaire's row road.'

Together, the plant-loving duo designed and built Wildwood over thirty-one years. Remarkably, they also maintain the garden by themselves as well as run the onsite café, plant nursery and gift shop.

Wayne says that the high aluminium content of the soil at Wildwood made it unsuitable for growing many natives. Instead they decided to focus on exotics, such as camellias, and rarer plants.

Wayne explains that the garden contains "a lot of camellia's you won't get again. The growers don't grow them."

There are still many areas of the garden under development. With a work in progress, no doubt there will be more to see each time you come.

A visitors book kept in the cafe contains comments from many contented visitors. It seems Wayne and Sue's labour of love has brought joy to many.
"Absolutely magnificent, outstanding deluxe!!! A great salvation because my husband & I find it difficult to go on holidays," raves Helen Bayley. D&D write, "absolutely beautiful garden we couldn't imagine how much work & love has gone into the making of this garden so wonderful a tribute to you all." From the Hollingsworths of Glenbrook: "Such a wonderful legacy & a true labour of love. I haven't heard such wonder & excitement from my 6 & 3 year olds in a long time. Thank you."

Wayne summarises the motivation for the garden: "It's just for people to enjoy."

Getting to :
is located at 29 Powells Road, Bilpin.

To get to Bilpin from Sydney, take the Windsor Road exit from the M2 Motorway, travel through Richmond to Kurrajong Road which continues as the Bells Line of Road. Powells Road is a left turn off the Bells Line of Road.

Sue and Wayne couldn't have made it easier to find Wildwood, with multiple signs and pink balloons heralding the way.

Opening Times
The garden is open Friday to Monday, 10am-4pm, during late winter to spring and in autumn. The dates below are for this spring and next autumn.

Spring: August 9 - November 4, 2013
Autumn (2014) March 21 - June 9, 2014

Special openings
Wildwood is open other times by appointment for groups of 20 or more. Groups are welcome on regular open days too, but Wayne and Sue prefer notification for catering. Please call Wayne on 0417 042 460 for a quote.

Garden entry costs
adults $8, concession and students $6, children under 16 free

Phone
0417 042 460 (Wayne) or (02) 4567 2194 (after hours; if unanswered leave a message and they will get back to you)

Facilities
Cafe serving coffee, tea, cakes and light lunches, gift shop, nursery, toilets, parking including disabled parking, picnic grounds beside the lake.

is child friendly.