Autumn Gardens Trail
Each autumn, visitors from interstate and overseas flock to the Macedon Ranges and the villages of Macedon and Mount Macedon to view the beautiful Autumn Garden Trail.
The mountain is home to a number of beautiful historic garden estates and hill stations that open their gates to the public in autumn to create a trail of stunning gardens.
Prefer to avoid the crowds and discover hidden autumn gems?
Discover hidden villages of the Macedon Ranges on this curated Autumn Leaf Colour Trail. While you’re here, make sure to check out the 2023 event program for other cool things to do during April.
Autumn Garden Trail on Mt Macedon
There are three Autumn Gardens on this outstanding Trail for viewing on Mt Macedon during the Autumn Festival – Duneira Estate, Forest Glade Gardens and Viewfield.
Operating on weekends and public holidays in April, visitors can purchase tickets for entry to the gardens using the hop-on, hop-off shuttle service running from Macedon’s Centennial Park (Honour Avenue). Macedon’s Honour Avenue is a significant heritage-listed memorial to World War II, with pin oak trees planted as a tribute to fallen soldiers.
The gardens are extremely popular at this time of year, so plan ahead to get the most out of your visit. Parking in Mount Macedon village is extremely limited. It is approximately 1.4km to walk each way to Forest Glade from Mount Macedon village, with a steep uphill climb to access the garden entry. It’s not suitable for all fitness levels. More information on parking and the shuttle service can be found at the end of this page.
Duneira Estate
Duneira is an original Mount Macedon hill station dating back to 1874. The garden is considered to be of ‘outstanding cultural significance’ by the National Trust of Australia; several of the trees are listed on the Register of Significant Trees of Victoria. The Dutch Elm Avenue is referred to as the longest privately owned Elm avenue in the Southern Hemisphere.
Opening especially for the Autumn Gardens Trail bring a picnic and enjoy a day out at this stunning garden featuring:
- Expansive lawns for picnics.
- Secret garden featuring a 150 yr old weeping cherry.
- Labrinth and outstanding hedges.
- Orchard and Llamas.
- Historic hill station and garden.
Admission to Duneira Estate
Duneira costs $10 per person to enter. Children 16 years and under are free.
Duneira Estate will be open on weekends and public holidays during April as part of the Autumn Garden Trail.
Forest Glade
Forest Glade is recognised as one of Australia’s finest private gardens and is absolutely spectacular in autumn. Located on the southern slopes of Mount Macedon, this magnificently landscaped garden covers fourteen acres (5.6 ha) and has four distinct themes:
- The large English section with its huge exotic trees and masses of colour.
- The delightful Japanese section complete with bonsai house.
- The beautiful woodland area displaying masses of shade-loving plants.
- The cool fern gully.
Visitors will not only experience the magnificent colours of Forest Glade’s autumn gardens, but an amazing display of fountains and sculptures collected from all around the world.
Dogs on a leash are welcome, please bring bags to clean up after your pooches. Barbecues are not permitted. Toilet facilities are limited.
Admission to Forest Glade
Forest Glade costs $10 per person to enter. Children 16 years and under are free.
Forest Glade Gardens is open every day of the year.
Forest Glade autumn colour
Viewfield
This botanically diverse 10-acre garden expresses the uniqueness of the Mount Macedon region. With one of the best autumnal backdrops to be found on Mount Macedon, Viewfield open garden features:
- Majestic European trees.
- Powerful Eucalypts.
- Stunning views and vistas.
- A children’s fairy garden.
- A fruit forest.
- A working glasshouse.
- Ever-changing perennial gardens.
- A sparkling stream running through shady fern glades.
Relax and enjoy your visit to an imaginative, carefully conceived and constantly evolving garden with the heart and soul of those that have created it clearly on display. Where both beauty and productivity generously combine.
You are welcome to bring a picnic to enjoy on your visit to Viewfield.
Admission to Viewfield
Viewfield costs $10 per person to enter. Children 16 years and under are free.
All gate proceeds will go to Shared Table a registered charity that supports families in the Macedon Ranges.
Viewfield will be open weekends and public holidays during April.
Photo by Tiffany Warner Photography
What you need to know before visiting
Visitor Parking & hop-on, hop-off shuttle service
Due to the popularity of this area over autumn, there will be designated parking areas and a hop-on, hop-off shuttle service running from Macedon’s Centennial Park (Honour Avenue) to the Open Gardens on Mt Macedon on weekends and public holidays during April.
From 1 April to 30 April, on weekends and public holidays, all visitors should use the car park near our Centennial Park Macedon Visitor Hub ($5 donation) and access the garden via a hop-on, hop-off shuttle bus service. Children 2 years and under ride for free. Payment by card is preferred.
Parking in Mount Macedon village is extremely limited. It is approximately 1.4km to walk each way to Forest Glade from Mount Macedon village, with a steep uphill climb to access the garden entry. It’s not suitable for all fitness levels.
Tickets to access the gardens and use the shuttle service can be purchased at the visitor hub at Centennial Park on weekends and public holidays. There is a $5 charge per person for the hop-on hop-off shuttle, a $5 charge for parking at Centennial Park, and entry into the gardens is $10 per adult per garden.
