Big Hill
889 Skyline Road, Christmas Hills Vic 3775
Saturday 14 October, 2023 to
Sunday 15 October, 2023
Strictly only opening on Saturday 14 and Sunday 15 October. Please respect the garden owners' privacy and visit only during opening hours.
10.00am - 4.30pm
Entry: $10 Adults/$6 Students (with ID card) /Under 18 free
- Tickets can be booked and pre-paid online via TryBooking. You can also pay on the day.
- Sustainable practices are important to OGV, therefore where possible please either print your own garden notes or save them for viewing on your mobile device.
Booking via Trybooking
Garden Notes
If you’re a tertiary student, why not purchase our OGV Student Pass, providing you with entry to all our garden openings for the year for just $25. Find out more and purchase your pass via TryBooking.
Become a Friend of OGV and receive two x 2 for the price of 1 garden passes, plus a one off 10% discount to some of Victoria's best garden centres via Trybooking.
Please stay at home if you're unwell.
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Big Hill is an exquisite native garden created by its owner, landscape designer and builder Loretta Childs, that is an absolute masterclass of design and plant selection.
There are numerous areas that are explored via granitic sand paths and timber boardwalks. Judiciously placed shrubs, groundcovers, climbers, and trees define spaces or reveal spectacular Yarra Valley views. Basalt boulders add a lovely, naturalistic feel, while recycled timber and iron elements help tie the garden visually to the numerous gorgeous buildings.
The driveway entrance features a low, informal hedge of Swan River pea (Gastrolobium celsianum) and mass-planted common tussock-grass (Poa labillardierei) and Tasmanian flax-lily (Dianella tasmanica).
A unique spiral staircase providing a focal point in the front garden is accessed via a ‘hidden’ path behind a row of Acacia not-so-‘Mini Cog’. Sounds of water lure explorers past the staircase to a serene pond, enclosed with she-oak (Allocasuarina verticillata).
A raised vegetable garden made from wharf timbers, has a backdrop of olive trees, and a nearby Macadamia integrifolia is underplanted with prostrate Correa alba.
The naturalistic swimming pool built from rock and wharf timber is edged with Westringia ‘Grey Box’, and a grouping of Brachychiton ‘Bella Pink’ will, over time, become an architectural feature. Below the pool, a new terrace is under construction and is accessible to attendees.
A few non-natives include wisteria and banksia rose that will be in full bloom, bear’s breeches (Acanthus mollis) and black arum (Dracunculus vulgaris).
The Head Gardener, Loretta, will be available to chat with visitors.
Big Hill is located on the lands of the Wurundjeri people. Open Gardens Victoria wish to acknowledge the Traditional custodians of this land and we pay respect to their Elders, past, present and emerging.
Extra Activities in the Area:
Garden Notes
Information and advice on garden visiting
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