What is Australia's Open Garden Scheme?

Australia's Open Garden Scheme is a non-profit organisation that began in Victoria in 1987. Our aim is to promote the knowledge and pleasure of gardens and gardening across Australia.

We do this by opening Australia's most inspiring private gardens to the public.

What sort of gardens open?

We open private gardens of every size, style and description. Old and young, large and small, from inner city courtyards to grand country estates, from tropical gardens to the more traditional gardens of the temperate south.

Where are they?

We open gardens right across Australia. There are gardens open in every state and territory.

How many gardens are there?

The Scheme has about 8,000 gardens on its books, with new gardens being discovered all the time. Each season we open around 650 private gardens to the public. Each of the gardens usually opens for just one or two weekends each season.

When are the gardens open?

As the Scheme now embraces the whole of the continent, there are gardens open in every month of the year. In the temperate south, the main program runs between August and May. Moving further north into the tropics, gardens are open during the winter.

How are they chosen?

All of the gardens included are first visited by our selectors who are experienced gardeners themselves. To be included in the Scheme, the gardens must be good examples of their type, interesting and well-maintained.

I know a lovely garden which should be in the Scheme. I'm interested in opening mine too. What should I do?

Please email us.

How is the Scheme run?

Nationally there is a Board of Directors chaired by Tamie Fraser who has been our President since 1992.

Board Charter >
[This is a PDF file (get free PDF reader)]

The Scheme has nine regions (one in each state and three in NSW) each with a management committee and a panel of selectors. All of the directors, committee members and selectors are volunteers.

The key to the Scheme's success is the huge number of volunteers involved. As well as the Board, Committees and selection panels there are also thousands of friends and relatives who help the garden owners on their open days – manning the gates & providing refreshments, et cetera. In all there are around 10,000 volunteers involved in some way each season.

To oversee the national operation of the Scheme, we employ a Chief Executive Officer and a Financial Administrator. Each region employs a Co-ordinator who is responsible for administering the region and for supporting the garden owners.

The Scheme's national expansion, which began in 1991, was greatly assisted by a grant of $150,000 from the Australian Horticultural Corporation with funds raised via the Nursery Industry Association pot levy.

ABC Radio has been a proud supporter of the Scheme since its inception in 1987. From local Saturday morning gardening talkback to 'Gardening Australia' on ABC television, the ABC supports and recognises 'gardening' as one of Australia's most popular pastimes. Details of gardens opening for the Scheme are broadcast on ABC Radio around Australia.

What happens to the entry fees?

The owners who so generously open their gardens to the public charge a nominal fee (the standard fee is $5). All the Scheme's income is derived from these entry fees – it receives no other financial support.

• 35 per cent of the entry fee is returned to the garden owner or to the charity of their choice.

  Our garden owners donate around $350,000 annually to charities and local causes. Total donations since the Scheme's inception in 1987 are over $4 million.

• 65 per cent is returned to the Scheme. After operating costs, surplus funds are distributed to the community as grants to garden-related projects.

  Since 1987 around $925,000 has been given to community garden projects by Australia's Open Garden Scheme. In addition, the Scheme has substantially funded its own national expansion.

Read more on how the Community Benefits...

Who visits the gardens?

Gardening is one of Australia's most popular leisure activities. Each year around 275,000 adults and countless thousands of children visit our gardens.

Is garden visiting expensive?

Visiting our gardens is an inexpensive and rewarding experience. Our standard fee is $5 per adult (some gardens are slightly more). Children under 18 accompanied by an adult are admitted free of charge.

What can I gain from visiting gardens?

The greatest knowledge and inspiration comes from seeing the work of other gardeners and being able to talk to them. Whether you are a novice or an expert, garden visiting is the best way to get new design ideas, to discover new plants and rediscover old favourites.

How do I find the gardens?

There are a number of ways you can find details about the gardens that we open:

Australia's Open Garden Scheme Guide
Australia's Open Garden Scheme Guide has all the information necessary for planning garden visits right around Australia. More...

ABC Local Radio
The ABC has been a key supporter of Australia's Open Garden Scheme since 1987. Details of gardens opening all around Australia are broadcast each week on ABC Radio's local radio network in both metropolitan and country areas.

or you can contact the Regional Co-ordinator in your area.

or contact Australia's Open Garden Scheme National Office at:

Westport
New Gisborne
Victoria 3438
Tel: (03) 5428 4557
national@opengarden.org.au