Mount Wilson gardens blossom at festival

That's when the owners of eight majestic homes in the village off Bells Line of Road in the Blue Mountains throw open the gates to their gardens for all the world to see and gaze at in wonder. The gardens are: Bisley, Breenhold, Carmarthen (Saturday only), Hawthorn Hill (Sunday only), Merry Garth, Nooroo, Sefton Cottage and Withycombe.

Spokeswoman Sarah Howell said Mount Wilson's lushness stems from a combination of "cool climate, very high rainfall, altitude (1000 metres) and marvellous basalt soil", which creates a vibrant contrast of rainforest and cherry blossom.

In spring the village is a riot of colour, where tulips, daffodils and rhododendrons flower in profusion while the streets are lined with horse chestnuts, beeches, plane trees and maples (which shed their red leaves each autumn to the delight of Chinese-Australians who flock there to collect them).

At the same time as the festival, the village's yearly art and photographic exhibition will be held in the village hall.

There visitors will be able to buy photos and paintings inspired by Mount Wilson and the surrounding area, its gardens, byways and landscape. Locally made jewellery and metal garden art will also be showcased.

All profits will go to the Mount Wilson/Mount Irvine Rural Fire Brigade, which Sarah said is enormously important to a tiny community kept on its toes by the threat posed by bushfire. (In October 2013, for example, it had a near-miss when it was cut off for two weeks by bushfire.)

The festival runs from 8am-4pm both days. Entry on the day is $40 for a day pass (cash or credit) or $10 per garden (cash only).

Sarah stressed that visitors should be aware that Mount Wilson is isolated and has no shops, cafes, ATMs or service stations, so they should be prepared. The good news is that delicious home-cooked food will be available at the village hall both days.

Details - www.mtwilson.com.au

Gardens aside, there is plenty to see and do in and around Mount Wilson. Walkers, especially, will be in their element.

One of the easiest wanders is the Mount Wilson Village Walk, a 3.5km amble with gentle grades (but best to have a car waiting for you at the end).

Taking about three hours return, it passes grand homes like Breenhold, Wynstay, Bebeah and Withycombe, where wealthy Sydneysiders came to escape the heat of the city.

Heritage sites passed include St Georges Anglican Church and cemetery, the Old School House, the Old Teachers Cottage and the Mount Wilson, Mount Irvine and Bell War Memorial.

And no stay is complete without a visit to the ornate and elaborate Turkish Bath Museum situated within the grounds of Wynstay.

It was built in the late 1800s by Richard Wynn (known today for the art prize that still bears his name), who had a dying wife and a keen interest in natural therapies.

"It's the most extraordinary little piece of history and quite a romantic gesture," Sarah said. "How wonderfully eccentric and generous to build this beautiful thing in the middle of nowhere for his wife who was so unwell."

Today it houses a museum operated by the local historical society, which regularly opens it to the public. Exhibitions are often held and volunteer guides are on hand.

If you are in Mount Wilson in March and April, you can do something completely different and gather your own walnuts and chestnuts.
Kookootonga, Nutwood Farm, Campanella Cottage and Fern Hill are among the nut orchards that have offered this in the past. But always call first to make sure they're open.

If after taking all this nature you're keen to buy some plants, Windyridge Garden & Nursery and Merry Garth Garden & Nursery both sell rare and unusual species.

Kookootonga, Nutwood Farm, Campanella Cottage and Fern Hill are among the nut orchards that have offered this in the past. But always call first to make sure they're open.

If after taking all this nature you're keen to buy some plants, Windyridge Garden & Nursery and Merry Garth Garden & Nursery both sell rare and unusual species.