Every spring, one of Victoria’s most celebrated private gardens opens its gates for a weekend unlike any other.
Set beneath the magnificent trees of Mount Macedon, the Bolobek Garden Fair combines glorious heritage gardens, specialist plant growers, inspiring speakers, artisan food, local produce and country hospitality into one unforgettable experience.
Less than an hour from Melbourne, it’s one of the signature spring events in the Macedon Ranges and the perfect reason to plan a day trip or, better still, a relaxing weekend away.
Whether you’re an experienced gardener, a keen photographer, a lover of beautiful landscapes or simply looking for one of Victoria’s most inspiring spring events, the Bolobek Garden Fair offers a rare opportunity to experience one of Australia’s finest private gardens while discovering everything that makes the Macedon Ranges so special.
Here’s a sneak peek of what you might experience at the 2026 Bolobek Garden Fair.
And don’t miss your chance to enter the prize draw for tickets to the 2026 Bolobek Garden Fair as part of an Unforgettable Spring Getaway in the Macedon Ranges. Three prize packs are available including accommodation for two at Braeside Mt Macedon for the nights of 2 October and 3 October 2026, so you can stay local and visit the 2026 Bolobek Garden Fair.
While you’ll find outstanding plants, gardening experts and beautiful handmade products, what truly sets the Bolobek Garden Fair apart is its extraordinary setting.
Held within the grounds of Bolobek, one of Australia’s most admired private heritage gardens, the Fair offers access that is rarely available to the public. Listed on the Victorian Heritage Register, Bolobek is renowned for its sweeping lawns, mature European trees, magnificent avenues, ornamental borders, and beautifully designed garden rooms that have evolved over more than a century.
Originally established in the early twentieth century, the garden flourished under Oswald Syme, a member of the family behind The Age newspaper, whose vision helped shape the elegant landscape visitors enjoy today. Since 2006, owners Hugh and Brigid Robertson have carefully restored and enhanced the estate, preserving its rich history while ensuring the garden continues to evolve for future generations.
Beyond the stalls and speakers, visitors to the Bolobek Garden Fair can stroll beneath 100-year-old oak, elm and linden trees, discover secluded corners bursting with spring colour and experience a garden that is otherwise only open on limited occasions throughout the year.
The Bolobek Garden Fair is more than a celebration of gardens—it’s a community event with a lasting purpose.
Since beginning as the Garden Lovers’ Fair in 2003, the event has remained firmly committed to supporting the wider community. Organised by a dedicated volunteer committee, proceeds are distributed to charitable and not-for-profit organisations that champion horticulture, conservation, education, environmental stewardship and community wellbeing.
Volunteers are at the heart of the weekend, welcoming visitors, directing parking, assisting exhibitors and helping create the warm country atmosphere the Fair has become known for.
In 2025, the Fair welcomed around 3,600 visitors and raised more than $41,000, supporting organisations including the Macedon & Mount Macedon Community House, Macedon & Mount Macedon Landcare Group, Kyneton Botanic Gardens, Gisborne SES and the Mount Macedon & District Horticultural Society. Local groups including Rotary, the Country Women’s Association and Tylden Primary School also benefit through their involvement.
Every ticket purchased helps volunteer groups, community organisations, plus environmental and horticultural projects that help the Macedon Ranges thrive.
With more than 50 carefully selected exhibitors, the Bolobek Garden Fair brings together some of Victoria’s finest specialist growers, horticultural experts and garden artisans.
Browse stalls featuring:
Many exhibitors offer plants that are difficult to find elsewhere, making this a wonderful opportunity to discover something unique while receiving expert advice directly from the growers themselves.
Throughout the weekend, visitors can enjoy an inspiring program of guest speakers, workshops, demonstrations and guided Bolobek garden tours.
Whether you’re planning your own garden, interested in sustainable gardening practices or simply love beautiful landscapes, you’ll leave with fresh ideas and practical inspiration.
The Fair is equally enjoyable for passionate gardeners and those who simply appreciate spending time in extraordinary places.
The Bolobek Garden Fair is designed to be enjoyed at a leisurely pace.
Take time to relax with barista-made coffee, delicious food and drink, gourmet treats and local produce while soaking up the atmosphere beneath the magnificent trees.
The Bolobek Garden Fair is the perfect centrepiece for a weekend in the Macedon Ranges.
After exploring the gardens, discover the charming villages of Macedon, Mount Macedon, Woodend and Lancefield. Enjoy lunch in a country café, sample cool-climate wines, browse boutique galleries and shops, visit nearby gardens including Forest Glade Gardens and Duneira Estate, or stretch your legs with a walk at nearby Hanging Rock or through Macedon Regional Park.
Spring transforms the region with blossom-lined streets, colourful gardens, lush forests and fresh local produce, making it one of Victoria’s most rewarding destinations at this time of year.
Location
Bolobek, 370 Mount Macedon Road, Macedon
DATE: 3 OCTOBER & 4 OCTOBER 2026
Opening Hours
10.00am–4.00pm each day of the Fair.
Parking
Free on-site parking is available, with volunteers directing traffic. Accessible parking is provided close to the entrance.
Accessibility
Accessible toilets are available. As this is a historic garden, some paths are uneven, so comfortable walking shoes are recommended.
Food & Coffee
Yes. Barista-made coffee, gourmet food and refreshments are available throughout the day.
Dogs
Dogs are not permitted, except for registered assistance dogs.
Tickets
Advance bookings are recommended, as this is one of Victoria’s most popular spring garden events.
Unlike a traditional garden expo, the Fair is held within one of Australia’s most significant private heritage gardens. Your ticket includes the rare opportunity to explore Bolobek while enjoying specialist exhibitors, expert talks and guided tours.
Bolobek is a private property and is only open to the public on selected occasions. The Garden Fair is one of the few opportunities each year to experience the gardens at your own pace, making it a highly anticipated event for garden lovers across Victoria.
Established in the early twentieth century, Bolobek is recognised as one of Victoria’s great heritage gardens. Generations of passionate custodians have shaped the landscape, with careful restoration ensuring its remarkable character continues to flourish today.
Yes. Visitors are encouraged to wander through the extensive heritage gardens throughout the day, with guided tours offering fascinating insights into the history, design and ongoing care of the estate.
Absolutely. Coffee, gourmet food, refreshments and local produce are available throughout the Fair, making it easy to spend the entire day onsite.
Most exhibitors accept EFTPOS, although bringing a small amount of cash is recommended for smaller purchases or in the unlikely event mobile reception affects card payments.
Yes. The Fair is renowned for its specialist growers, offering rare plants, bulbs, shrubs, trees and unusual garden treasures that are often difficult to source elsewhere.
Definitely. The beautiful gardens, country atmosphere, artisan stalls, local food and welcoming community make this a memorable day out for anyone who appreciates nature, photography, heritage or simply discovering beautiful places.
Depending on the season, visitors can enjoy flowering bulbs, blossom, heritage roses beginning to bloom, colourful perennial borders, magnificent mature trees bursting into fresh foliage and one of the finest collections of cool-climate plantings in Victoria.
Extend your visit by exploring the villages of Macedon, Mount Macedon, Woodend and Kyneton. Discover cool-climate wineries, country pubs, boutique accommodation, galleries, scenic walking trails and other beautiful gardens. With Melbourne around an hour away by road or V/Line train, it’s an easy day trip—but even better as a weekend escape.
Whether you’re searching for rare plants, seeking inspiration for your own garden or simply looking for a beautiful day out, the Bolobek Garden Fair offers an experience unlike any other.
The rare privilege of exploring one of Australia’s finest historic gardens, combined with expert growers, delicious local food, inspiring conversations and the warm hospitality of the Macedon Ranges, makes this one of Victoria’s truly special spring events.
And every visit helps make a difference. By attending the Bolobek Garden Fair, you’re not only enjoying an extraordinary day in one of the country’s great gardens—you’re also supporting the volunteers, charities and community organisations that help the Macedon Ranges flourish for generations to come.
With so much happening across the Macedon Ranges from September through November, the Bolobek Garden Fair is a wonderful reason to stay a little longer. Book a few nights in one of the region’s country retreats, cottages, boutique hotels or charming village stays, and give yourself time to explore beyond the garden gates.
Spring is one of the most beautiful times to experience the Macedon Ranges, with gardens opening to visitors, flowers coming into bloom, outdoor events filling the calendar and the region’s villages coming alive after winter. Time your visit with spring’s major events, such as the Kyneton Daffodil & Arts Festival, discover the National Insect Expo, get out into the countryside for the Dirty Docker Festival, seek out the bluebells at Duneira Estate or make a weekend of Budburst Wine Festival in November.
Whether your idea of spring is wandering through historic gardens, discovering local art, stretching your legs on a country walk, browsing village markets or settling in with a glass of cool-climate wine, there’s plenty to see and do across the Macedon Ranges. Stay a little longer, explore a little further and make your visit to Bolobek just one of many adventures within the Macedon Ranges this spring.
