Autumn is here and the leaves are slowly beginning to change colour. The most enchanting places this time of the year offer a little reprieve from city life and plenty of privacy away from the crowds. Among our favourite outdoor spaces that we never tire of discovering are gardens, some top-secret spots, some hidden in plain sight and some botanically significant ones, a stone’s throw from the city. One to add to your list this autumn is Nooroo Garden which presents all the beauty of the season with none of the crowds making for a wonderfully tranquil spot to have a quiet read, enjoy a picnic, or soak up some autumn sun. Hidden in the Blue Mountains, this serene sanctuary is currently flaunting autumn in all its glory but there’s only a short window to enjoy the colours so don’t miss out.
Nooroo Garden, Mount Wilson
Cloaked in spectacular red, yellow and orange hues, the garden has been delighting locals and visitors for over 140 years. It’s a special spot during spring and autumn with plenty of native Australian plants and flower species from around the world on display. You can look forward to magnificent maples, chestnuts, ash and original oaks spread across the sprawling 4.5-hectare garden. Nooroo Garden is also home to rare maples, azaleas and rhododendrons, and large lawns with finds for nature lovers. The entirety of the park is yours to enjoy with beautiful canopies of trees to walk under and plenty of delightfully picturesque corners.
The word Nooroo means ‘shady place’ and was built in 1880 by William Hay. It is now under the care of Lorraine and Anthony Barrett, who bought the property in 1992. Since then, the Barretts have worked diligently to maintain the timeless quality of the garden while introducing new features like garden rooms to add to its beauty. There is also a cafe kiosk serving coffee, hot chocolate, teas and wholesome homemade snacks.
The gardens are just as delightful during spring with a stunning wisteria collection taking centrestage alongside lovely camellias, magnolias, lilacs, peonies and more.
How to get there
Nooroo Garden is a short 2-hour drive from Sydney and best visited on an autumn morning.
The leaves have now started to turn and can be enjoyed for the next four weeks. The gardens are open every day until May 26 from 10am to 4pm. There is a small entry fee of $10 for adults with all-day access to the gardens and $2.50 for kids up to 12 years old. Learn more about Nooroo Garden here.