The privately owned Mayfield Garden in Oberon is one of the finest in Australia and a certified playground for horticulture enthusiasts. Home to plenty of hidden gems and photogenic corners, this leafy paradise presents an idyllic escape from Sydney. Encompassing 65 hectares of themed gardens, grottos, ponds, lakes, quaint waterfalls, and much more, this picture-perfect spot is among the Southern Hemisphere’s largest cool climate gardens and more than merits a weekend trip from the city. Refreshingly, despite its size it is easy to explore and offers plenty of serene spots if you just want to be. Here is everything you need to sample on a weekend sojourn to Mayfield Garden.
Mayfield Garden, Oberon
Mayfield Garden was a working farm when it went into the hands of the Hawkins family who have since lovingly transformed the space into a spectacular oasis, now reminiscent of a tranquil European garden.
The gardens straddle two distinct parts – the 15-hectare Mayfield Garden and the 50-hectare Hawkins’ Family Estate. Tucked inside Mayfield Garden, visitors will find picturesque elements like a waterfall you can walk behind, grottos, and plenty of seasonal colour. The gardens also host four seasonal festivals and have a nursery with a collection of cool climate plants. Also on site is Mayfield Cafe, a snug cafe, that dishes out seasonal treats, farm-fresh breakfast and lunch, and wine and other drinks.
Things to do
A non-negotiable is the Water Garden, a spectacular water and stone feature garden that perfectly demonstrates the garden’s all-encompassing natural beauty with meandering walkways riddled throughout, a 12.5-metre Obelisk Pond with scenic overlooks, a made-for-Instagram stone and steel wisteria arbour, an allée of London Plane trees and a gorgeous blue stone bridge. You can spend hours exploring the lush, green space but this is just a tiny portion of the sprawling space.
A beeline to the family estate holds more fascinating features including Australia’s largest private Box Hedge Maze, great for a bit of friendly competition while you’re there. Other prominent spots here include a croquet lawn and rose garden, a sculptured garden, and an amphitheatre, which all feel like a scene from Bridgerton. Don’t miss out on the Birch Walk, the Chinese Pagoda over Mayfield Lake, and a gorgeous Japanese-style garden. Japanese and Chinese influences abound throughout the gardens.
If you want to plan a longer stay, one of Mayfield Garden’s highlight offerings is its glamping experience that offers a chic stay in the heart of the gardens without skimping on creature comforts. Typically held over spring, summer, and autumn, the tailored experience offers luxurious tents with plush beds and all the furnishings including rugs, outdoor chairs and tables, delicious snacks and meals, and starry vistas when the sun goes down.
When to visit Mayfield Garden
Because this is a cool climate garden, you can visit any time of the year and enjoy a completely different experience. Autumn and spring present a riot of colours with colourful foliage taking over the grounds between March, April and May and fragrant blooms can be found in abundance between September, October and November. Summer offers plenty of outdoor adventure and waterlilies and as for winter, you can even experience snow here if you’re lucky.
Happily, as of 2024, the gardens are open 363 days a year except on Christmas and Boxing Day, so you can plan your visit any time of the year depending on personal preference. However, the Hawkins Family’s Private Garden is only open on select days, usually during the seasonal festivals. Read more about the cool climate spot on the Mayfield Garden website.
Getting there
Mayfield is located around a 2.5-hour drive from Sydney along the Great Western Highway with adequate signage as you get closer. It’s a short 10-minute drive from Oberon and 35 minutes from Bathurst.