During late autumn in the northern part of the Blue Mountains, the small charming town of Mount Wilson becomes a popular travel destination for thousands of Sydneysiders and visitors from around the world who come to experience the stunning display of amazing autumn colors in the local gardens.
Here, they witness a breathtaking spectacle as the leaves of the trees transition into shades of orange, yellow, brown, and red.
Mount Wilson is renowned for its magnificent cool-climate exotic gardens, which, during autumn, become ablaze with the stunning hues of the season.
Since this place is a photographer’s paradise in autumn, I just had to check out a couple of those gardens myself, and I’m here to tell you whether they are really worth your time.
How To Get Mount Wilson Gardens
If you’re planning to visit one of the Mt Wilson gardens, keep in mind that driving is the only way to get there, as there’s no public transport available in the northern part of the Blue Mountains.
To reach your destination, simply take the B59 Bells Line of Road and then turn onto Mount Wilson Road.
While Mount Wilson Road may be a bit narrower and have its share of bumps, it’s fully sealed, so you shouldn’t have any trouble driving along it regardless of the type of car you have.
All you need to do is set your GPS to your preferred garden, and you’re on your way.
But here’s a heads-up: there are 8 gardens to pick from, so let’s take a closer look at what’s on offer.
Which Garden Should I Visit in Mount Wilson?
With a plethora of gardens awaiting your exploration in Mount Wilson, you might find yourself having to make some tough choices based on your available time, budget, and personal preferences.
As for determining the “best” garden, well, that’s quite subjective. We chose to visit 2 gardens that stood out with the highest amount of positive reviews on Google:
- Bebeah (in the morning)
- Breenhold (in the evening)
- Followed by an amazing sunset at Du Faur Rocks
Alright, let’s take a closer look at all of the gardens waiting for you in Mt Wilson, including their prices, opening times, and where to find them.*
*It’s important to note that the price and opening hours mentioned below were accurate at the time of writing this article and they could change in the future.
You can reach out to the garden owners before you go to double-check the opening times, entry fees, or any other important details.
List of All Gardens in Mount Wilson
1. BREENHOLD GARDENS
- Address: 29 The Avenue, Mt Wilson
- Open: Daily 10.00am to 4.00pm. During Autumn & Spring only
- Entry: $17.50 per adult, and $5.00 for children over 5 years old
2. YENGO SCULPTURE GARDEN
- Address: Queens Ave, Mt Wilson
- Open: Seasonally on weekends Autumn and Spring
- Entry: $10.00 per adult and $3.00 for children
3. WINDYRIDGE GARDENS
- Address: 25 Queens Ave, Mt Wilson
- Open: Every day from 9am to 4:30pm
- Entry: $12.50 per adult and $3.00 for children*
4. BEBEAH GARDENS
- Address: 60 The Avenue, Mt Wilson
- Open: Every day from 9am to 4:30pm
- Entry: $10.00 per adult and $3.00 for children
5. NOOROO GARDEN
- Address: 11-15 Church Ln, Mt Wilson
- Open: Every from 10am to 4:00pm every day from end of March to end of May
- Entry: $10.00 per adult and $2.50 for children
6. MERRY GARTH GARDEN
- Address: 11-15 Church Ln, Mt Wilson
- Open: 8am to 3:00pm every Wednesday and all weekends in April + the first two Sundays in May
- Entry: $10.00 per adult and $2.50 for children
7. SEFTON COTTAGE GARDEN
- Address: 21 Church Ln, Mt Wilson
- Open: Please contact the property owner for details
- Entry: Please contact the property owner for details
8. KASHMIR GARDEN
- Address: 8/14 Church Ln, Mt Wilson
- Open: Weekends & Public Holidays from 10am to 4pm
- Entry: Free of charge (it’s a new garden, first opened in 2024)
What to Know Before Visiting Mt Wilson Gardens
First and foremost, there are no cafes or restaurants in Mt Wilson, so it’s best to bring your own food and picnic supplies.
You have the option to picnic within the gardens, or head to Cathedral Ferns Campground, where you’ll find a lovely grassy area with benches and toilet facilities—this was our choice, and it worked out perfectly.
One more thing to keep in mind is that the gardens are quite large, so be prepared for a fair amount of walking. Therefore, I suggest not attempting to visit them all in a single day.
Breenhold is the largest among them, covering over 40 hectares of heritage-listed gardens and parklands. It holds the distinction of being one of Australia’s most extensive privately owned garden estates.
Bebeah Gardens at Mount Wilson
Our first stop in the morning was at Bebeah, one of the original expansive garden estates of Mt Wilson, constructed by Edward Cox in 1880.
Upon our arrival at the gate, we received a warm greeting from friendly elderly men and paid a $10 per person entrance fee.
It’s a good idea to have cash on hand if you plan to visit Bebeah since I’m not sure whether they accept EFTPOS payments.
Covering 12 acres (5 hectares), this garden provides clear pathways marked with arrows for easy navigation.
The name ‘Bebeah’ is believed to derive from an Aboriginal phrase signifying ‘a place where stone axes are found’.
In this garden, you’ll find some impressive old trees—oaks, magnolias, elm, conifers, cherries, and dogwoods, some over 120 years old.
Adding to the charm are quaint cottages, one available for rent, a pond, and many sculptures adorning the landscape.
If you need to rest, there are benches and chairs scattered around the property and plenty of open grass areas for picnics.
Overall, I think we likely spent a good couple of hours wandering through Bebeah, thoroughly enjoying the vibrant pathways and capturing countless photographs.
Breenhold Gardens at Mount Wilson
After pausing for a small picnic at the Cathedral of Ferns Campground, we made our way to soak in the evening sun at Breenhold Gardens.
These expansive gardens, spanning over 40 hectares, stand as the largest and most visited in Mt Wilson, offering a harmonious blend of manicured gardens, expansive park areas, and pristine native bushland.
Fans of Baz Luhrmann’s “The Great Gatsby” (2013) will recognise that several key scenes of the film were shot on location at Breenhold and few other parts of Mount Wilson.
It’s worth knowing that these gardens are also the most expensive to visit in Mt Wilson, with an admission fee of $17.50 per adult.
Just so you know, at Breenhold Gardens, they do accept EFTPOS payments, so you won’t need to worry about carrying cash.
Once you’ve bought your tickets at the entrance gate, you can snap a photo of the property map.
Since we couldn’t get a copy of the map during our visit, I suggest printing the image below or downloading the PDF from their website if you feel it’ll assist with navigation around the property.
Upon entering the property, you’ll immediately sense a distinct atmosphere in these gardens, characterised by expansive open spaces.
Before you know it, you’ll be enjoying a relaxing walk along the iconic Pine Tree Avenue.
Following Pine Tree Avenue, you’ll arrive at the heart of the park, where you’ll find Compass Garden and Socrates Garden.
Make sure to take the time to explore the western section of the park, along Bill’s Walk and Charlotte Pass.
Here, you’ll come across Acer Steps, Laburnum Steps, Bailey Paths, Celestium Lawn with a picturesque octagon-shaped pond, and an impressive lookout point that provides stunning views of Mt Banks and its surroundings, framed by beautiful Ghost Gums.
In the north-west section of the park, you’ll find Promontory Lookout, Bill’s Point Lookout, and Cypress Meadow.
If that wasn’t enough to explore, Breenhold has another section of their park waiting for you to explore.
Head back to the entrance, cross The Avenue, and you’ll step into Breenhold Parklands, home to the Spanish Garden and Ballet Russes.
Du Faurs Rocks Lookout: Best Sunset Spot in Mount Wilson
If you’re lucky to have sunny weather with some clouds, as we did, be sure to head to Du Faur Rocks.
It’s an incredible lookout spot to catch the sunset, and the best part is, you won’t need to walk far as the car park is right nearby.
You can drive all the way down to the lookout; there’s no need to park at the top and walk 500m along the road.
Final Thoughts
In summary, it was a fantastic day spent at Mount Wilson, and I can’t wait to return for another visit to explore the rest of the gardens.
When I do, I’ll make it a priority to update this article to provide a comprehensive guide to all the gardens available in Mt Wilson.
So, I’m curious—what’s your favourite garden in Mount Wilson, and why?
Share your thoughts in the comments section below!
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