Planning a day trip to Mayfield Garden from Katoomba
Image by Mayfield Garden
Image by Lithgow Tourism
Why go to Mayfield Garden?
Vast and impressive, Mayfield Garden is one of the world’s largest privately owned cool-climate gardens. It sprawls across 16 glorious hectares and is surrounded by mountains. There are beautiful plant arrangements and a number of other facets to explore, including monuments, water features, interesting buildings and more.
Teaming with sophisticated European charm, as soon as you arrive you’ll see the sandstone exhibition centre, flanked by regal, Roman-style pillars. There’s also a bluestone chapel overlooking the garden, and a Chinese pagoda over Mayfield Lake.
Stroll through fragrant flower arrangements, take in the 80-metre cascade and the 2.5 hectare water garden, and explore the grotto within the waterfall.
The plant selection is really marvellous. For keen gardeners there is even a plant nursery on-site with specialists on hand to answer your questions. Once you’ve taken in the beauty of the gardens, you can test your wits in the box hedge maze and even try your hand at a game of giant chess!
General admission at Mayfield Garden is already fantastic but you also have the option of booking a private tour, which includes lunch prepared just for you by a talented chef in The Glass House and a walk through the Hawkins Family Private Japanese Garden. This attraction is truly a botanical paradise!
How long do I need to enjoy Mayfield Garden?
We recommend giving yourself at least half a day to explore all the garden has to offer. Last entry to the garden is at 3pm so be sure to arrive before then.
Is Mayfield Garden pet-friendly?
Yes, like Careel Cottages, Mayfield Garden is also pet friendly, so you can take your fur pal with you on your day out!
Do I need to book?
Yes, you will need to book in advance. You can do so via the Mayfield Garden website.
When is the Hawkins Family Garden at Mayfield Garden open?
At certain times of year you can also visit the spectacular Hawkins Family Garden, spanning an additional 49 hectares, and featuring rose and heather gardens, a croquet court, the fabulous Garden Rooms and more. You can even take a rowing boat across Mayfield Lake if you're feeling particularly whimsical.
The Hawkins Family Garden is open during 4 annual festivals:
- The Winter Festival: July 2 – July 17, 2022
- The Spring Festival: November 6 - November 21, 2021
- The Summer Festival: December 27 2021 – January 26, 2022
- The Autumn Festival: April 2 – April 25, 2022
If you want to book tickets to the Autumn Festival or the Winter Festival you can do so via the Mayfield Garden website.
When is the best time to visit Mayfield Garden?
Any day of the week before 3pm.
Where is the best place to eat nearby?
You can treat yourself to mouth-watering fare at Mayfield Café and Produce Store, which boasts an ultra-fresh farm to table menu, with most items picked the morning they're prepared. The café serves brunch and lunch, so there’s plenty of time to indulge.
How do I get to Mayfield Garden from Katoomba?
It’s a scenic 1 hour and 20-minute drive from Careel Cottages in Katoomba to Mayfield Garden, via Duckmaloi Road, Jenolan Caves Road and the Great Western Highway.
What are some other day trips I can take in the Blue Mountains?
If you like to wander in beautiful surrounds, you might also enjoy a trip to Megalong Valley. You can also check out the Jenolan Caves and the Glow Worm Tunnel Walking Track if you're interested in seeing the natural beauty that's under the ground. There are also some fantastic hikes planned out for you in our Best Blue Mountains Walks guide too. Or, if you're feeling like exploring some of the artisanry and antiques in Katoomba and the other charming villages you can take a look at our Best Blue Mountains Shops and Boutiques guide.
Blue Mountains FAQs
For more useful information that will help you plan your stay, we invite you to take a look at our Visiting the Blue Mountains FAQ guide, which will help you plan when to come, what to wear, where to stay and more.