Loved by garden enthusiasts around the world, Everglades House & Gardens is a must-visit in the Blue Mountains.
The historic Everglades House & Gardens is located in Leura within the World Heritage-listed area of the Blue Mountains. The 5-hectare garden and house are open Wednesday to Monday from 10am to 4pm. It is closed on Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, Boxing Day, New Year’s Eve, and New Year’s Day. There is an entry fee to access the Gardens, but National Trust Members and children under 5 years old receive free entry.
History of Everglades House & Gardens
Henri Van de Velde, a Belgian entrepreneur, owned the home and built it as a weekend retreat. Henri bought the land in the early 1930s and got Paul Sorenson, a renowned landscape designer who created over 100 gardens throughout his career, to design the garden.
Credit: Destination NSW
What to see
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The plants
The Everglades Garden is huge and full of colour! The cool climate garden has plants suited for the Blue Mountains area. You will see Pieris, the old Japanese maple trees, cherry blossoms, tulips, and so much more. The Garden also includes the Grotto waterfall and a Reflection pool where you’ll be able to see Mount Solitary and the lush Jamison Valley.
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The home
Inside the beautiful home has art deco features and a remarkable staircase. The rest of the home is well set up, where you can start imagining the stories that happened in the home while it was active.
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Stone walls
The stone walls have little domes used for planting, creating greenery and colour along the wall. Paul Sorenson designed the walls and even today, it still stands straight after almost 100 years since being built!
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Wrought-iron fences
Paul Sorenson commissioned the wrought-iron panels with dogs and peacocks. The dogs were based on Henri Van de Velde’s terriers and peacocks, where the terriers used to chase the peacocks around the garden.
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Tea rooms
Enjoy a delicious cup of tea and fresh scones at the tea rooms located in the breakfast room and courtyard. Other drinks include coffee, ginger beer, local apple cider and other light refreshments. Take in the beautiful scenery outside in the courtyard and enjoy the sunshine. Or you can sit inside with magnificent views of Jamison Valley.
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Self-guided tour
Take your time exploring the garden and home with a self-guided tour. As you arrive, you can speak to one of the staff members who will show you a map and suggest different walking routes through the Garden.