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Leuralla's five hectares of gardens were laid down at the turn of the century. Paul Sorensen, an important creative influence on many mountain gardens, played a major role in creating this - one of the earliest and largest Blue Mountains gardens. |
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| Planning and plantings were on a large scale with many trees imported from
Europe and America.
The garden is bounded by conifers forming shelter for internal plantings. The long driveway, travelling the length of the garden is laurel lined and emphasised by conifers - many rare - sweeping to circle a majestic Atlas Cedar (Cedrus Atlantica) - before the house. |
Rose trellised walkway,
c1928 (above) and 1999 (below)
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An Abutus walkway leads from formal plantings to Rhododendron groves taking the eye onto great Tulip trees, Maples, Oaks and Elms, Sequoias and many other varieties. |
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| In the 20's and 30's the garden was renowned for its displays
of massed tulips and topiarized hedges, the rose trellised walkway to the
picturesque "New England" style gabled and shingle roofed barn, which
was an extension in style to the first home. Built in 1904 amongst the
developing garden it was razed almost completely by the devastating bush fires
of 1909.
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| There is a beguiling story that Mr Andreas, grandfather of the current owner, when informed whilst on business in Sydney of the ravaging fires, said "Forget the house - save my trees!". We are grateful for this today - the "new" house, redesigned and completed in 1912, is still a family home, but houses now the fine displays of the NSW Toy & Railway Museum and the Dr H V Evatt Memorial Museum - and those young trees - Sequoia, Maples, Cedar, Linden, Copper Beech, Chestnut, Ash and Oaks are now the mature graceful backdrop to Rhododendron, Dogwood, Camellia and Azalea groves, walkways and seasonal plantings, massed displays of tulips, daffodils, bluebells, many of which have naturalised beneath the spread of sheltering trees. | |
| As contrast, the garden and house overlook the extensive Jamieson Valley with views to the distant Gib at Mittagong and Mt Jellore. The escarpment garden, which features native plantings, cradles in the upper reaches of the Valley the magnificent amphitheatre. Its sandstone reflects the cliffs and the Bathurst slate stage mirrors the blueness of the vast backdrop of the Valley. |  |
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The gardens are open year round - expressing the beauty of the rotating season.
Twice a year, in spring and in autumn, Leuralla opens its gardens for Australia's Open Garden Scheme as well as for the Leura Garden Festival in October. Please check the Open Garden handbook for dates. Daily 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tours welcomed at any time. Open Garden and Amphitheatre |
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