From Bridgerton-worthy lawns to sprawling Japanese-inspired spaces, there are plenty of excellent gardens in and around Sydney for a peaceful weekend stroll. One under-the-radar spot is the Campbell Rhododendron Gardens in the beautiful mountain town of Blackheath. Featuring a stunning variety of exotic rhododendrons, azaleas and native plants and wildlife, these picture-perfect gardens span 18.3 hectares and offer plenty of tranquil spots including a fountain and cascade area, a small lake, and picnic benches. This lovely slice of green space will be welcoming visitors for its spring season soon. Here’s what you need to know.
Campbell Rhododendron Gardens, Blackheath
Visitors to the Campbell Rhododendron Gardens can expect a sensory feast with plenty of vibrant blooms to discover especially in spring. Find walking trails at the gardens lined with flowers and a serene lake where you can stop for a while and admire the vibrant flora. Aside from rhododendrons and azaleas, guests can also see mollis azaleas, camellias, kalmias, pieris and forsythia and cool climate deciduous trees like maples, flowering cherries, and wisterias. There are about 2,000 colourful rhododendrons to see in the gardens.
With warmer weather upon us, the flowers are in full bloom offering an explosion of colour, and to celebrate the season, the gardens will host Spring Welcome Weeks from September 28 to November 3.
Discover stunning horticultural treasures throughout the gardens, take in the stunning valley vistas from The Lookout, or meander along the winding trails surrounded by exotic flora. The Rhodo Tea Room in the garden will be open from Thursday to Sunday 10am to 3.30pm and guests can get their hands on delicious Aussie cream teas and hearty scones. You can also get a colourful souvenir to bring home from the information desk. Whether you’re after a picturesque retreat or looking for the perfect Instagram backdrop, this lovely hidden gem is sure to deliver. Find more information about the gardens here.
Getting there
The Campbell Rhododendron Gardens is located on Bacchante St in Blackheath, around a 1.5-hour drive from Sydney via M4 and just 15 minutes from the town of Katoomba. You can also catch a direct train from Central to Blackheath Station and walk for about 20 minutes to the gardens.