Garden Tours

Private Gardens of the Monaro offer exclusive day tours for groups starting early in the morning and travelling down to the Monaro via Cooma and Nimmitabel in the foothills of the Snowy Mountains. Morning tea, and afternoon tea, are served at the gardens - Hazeldean and Shirley. We will tailor the tour to fit your needs, including suggestions for overnight stay if required.

Including Private Gardens of the Monaro in a trip to Canberra, the magnificent Snowy Mountains and the stunning south coast would make a wonderful cultural and heritage visit.  Why not visit the wonderful National Arboretum in Canberra, along with the National Gallery and Botanic Gardens, then head south for the day to the Private Gardens of Monaro where we will guide you through our gardens and give you a unique and special experience. 

One of the best times of the year to visit is in Spring during Floriade in Canberra held in September. Visiting our gardens before or following Floriade offers a different, exclusive,  and personal day tour down to our magnificent area, when the bulbs and blossom are in full bloom.  Autumn on the Monaro is another wonderful season to visit our gardens - being situated in the high country our Autumn brings fabulous colours of reds, yellows and oranges.  Seasons here are distinct and varied, with winter bringing occasional snowfalls transforming the landscape and gardens into a white wonderland.

The National Gallery of Australia in Canberra - NGA Calendar - always has an interesting exhibition, as does the National Library and Museum of Australia, so it is always worth checking out what they have on.

We welcome small groups - put together a group yourself and contact us to arrange a visit, or if you are a couple or individual, book on one of our designated self-drive tour dates -   in the Spring and Autumn.  Go to Book a Private Tour

Terms and Conditions for tour operators

Private Gardens of the Monaro by Private Helicopter
For an exclusive and very special experience we can now offer visits to Private Gardens of the Monaro by helicopter from Canberra.  Depart Canberra and see the national capital, Namadgie national park and the beautiful Snowy Mountains from the air as you are whisked from Canberra airport to Cooma.

Fly down in comfort and luxury from Canberra over the magnificent Monaro with the back drop of the Snowy Mountains to land at Hazeldean for morning tea and private garden tour,  then up and away over the Monaro plains to Shirley for  lunch. Prices available on application. Go to contact

What our visitors say:

“Thank you so much for a wonderful tour of both properties  !!
Wonderful!!  Colourful, grand, so well planned, a fantastic display of mature trees, colourful gardens, expansive lawns and great vistas. The morning and afternoon teas were delicious and set us up for walks through the gardens.
The tours being taken personally by the owners were most enjoyable, informative and great gentle exercise following the trails to many expansive vistas on the properties. Plants were identified for us and this all added to our appreciation of the gardens.”
Robyn and Garry Doughty

 “The tour of the Private Gardens of the Monaro showed us three different but equally extraordinary visual feasts. Our group was ‘blown away’ as we wandered around with the gardens’ creators, hearing about their vision, history and evolution. Information about the design, architecture, climate, terrain and plant selection was generously shared with our group, revealing a depth of knowledge, understanding and enthusiasm that we so appreciated. Our group supports The Art Gallery of NSW; we visit galleries, artists in their studios, listen to curators and view personal collections. We would like to thank The Private Gardens of the Monaro for introducing us to a new art form.”
Helen McKenzie - Chair of the Women of the Art Gallery of NSW

“How can I ever thank you for introducing me to The Monaro. I am totally in love with this beautiful and historic region of Australia. I will forever be her best ambassador! I have met the most wonderful people and seen the most beautiful gardens ... all thanks to you!
To think that it's taken me 68 years to come back here . So now I will make up and bring our lovely clients to show them.”
Sandra Ross - Founder, Ross Garden Tours

“It was a delight to meet you all and hear your gardening stories.  This is one of the things I love about gardening, the people, fellow gardeners who are so happy to share their love of plants, their successes and their failures, happily with one another. Visiting the Monaro which is such a country of extremes and vast beauty, it was interesting to learn how you all have adapted your gardens to the conditions so successfully.  It takes a huge commitment and understanding of your environment to produce such beautiful gardens which I so appreciated. I enjoyed listening, exploring and learning as the day unfolded, each garden different but similar.  The contrasts made it more interesting and made me think which is a good thing! The 3 of you were welcoming, charming, interesting, definitely keen gardeners who loved their homes and surrounds.
The food was delicious, healthy, well presented, thank you.”
Sharon Pearson, Spring self-drive tour

“The three gardens of the Monaro are all delightful, and each offers visitors its own delights. At Hazeldean, the vista from the house across sweeping lawns to the distant hills, framed by ancient trees, is a breathtaking contrast to the intimacy of the charming formality and colours of the house garden; Curry Flat offers an enviable kitchen garden in a purpose-built heat-retaining greenhouse, a lovely house garden maintained and enhanced over generations, and many superb trees; Shirley, with its glittering lake and ‘beach’ perfectly combines the design ideas and plantings of earlier generations with such recent additions as a parterre and a crabapple orchard.”
Gil Appleton, Spring self-drive tour

“We really enjoyed our day visiting the three lovely gardens and meeting other garden lovers, hosts and guests alike.  The morning and afternoon teas were a delight and the lunch at Curry Flat was superb. I was so impressed at how much hard work you all do to keep those gardens so beautiful and we came away with many good ideas for planting and for management of a large garden.”
Lucy Costas, Spring self-drive tour

“Thank you all for sharing your beautiful properties and gardens.  It was a true delight.  We had a wonderful three days travelling up along the back road from Braidwood to Cooma through Numeralla, and then your big day and then home via Brown Mtn on Friday.  What a beaut couple of days.”
Leonie Kestel, Spring self-drive tour

“We had the most delightful day as we rambled along, amongst the three outstanding private gardens of the Monaro.  The magnificent scenery on our drives from garden to garden which the Monaro is well reknowned for was a joy. Our highlights: Libby your down to earth, friendly and in-depth knowledge of Hazeldean and it’s amazing history, the work you and Jim have designed and established. The gardens are truly magnificent with simple and caring touch’s that can be created for any garden with time, patience, minimal cost and a flair for creativity. Thank you it was magical. Sue and Jim your vegetable garden is to die for. Your family history and heritage of Curry Flat was delivered in such a caring and nurturing way. We loved being welcomed into your beautiful home to enjoy a scrumptious culinary organic lunch straight from the garden - was truly sensational. Thank you for your generous and caring hospitality. Sal and John at Shirley - John’s appraisal of his garden and his passion were obvious as we strolled around various areas of the garden. The crab apples were in stunning in all their glory in various shades of bloom.”
Erika Statham, Spring self-drive tour

“We thoroughly enjoyed our tour of each of the gardens which were absolutely splendid even in the inclement weather.  We were inspired by what we saw and there was much discussion on our drive home on the many plants we had seen that we would like to try in our own gardens. We loved the yummy morning tea at Libby's, scrumptious lunch at Sue's and delicious afternoon tea at Sallyann's. Thank you so much for your kind hospitality. ”
Janelle, Savannah & Larissa, Spring self-drive tour

“Patrick and myself really enjoyed viewing your beautiful gardens. We appreciated that you organised the event with open garden. The car trip between your homes gave us a great look around the area and the morning, afternoon teas and lunch were delicious. You were all so very welcoming and we felt comfortable at each home. The gardens are a credit to you all and I hope the visits continue for other people to enjoy. I think what you are doing with the visits are perfect.”
Chris & Patrick O’Connor, Spring self-drive tour  

“Your hospitality and the warm welcome, from you all was what true country hospitality and genuine warmth is all about, and we loved each of your three beautiful gardens, so much so that it would be fantastic to come back in the spring and see what would be a very different picture.  It was, without a doubt, one of the best and happiest days of my life! Morning tea, lunch and afternoon tea were simply delicious, and again, are so much of what you wonderful country women are deservedly famous for.  You couldn’t possibly improve in any way on your tours!  They are simply brilliant, and Robert and I wish to say a huge THANK YOU to you all for such a great experience, and for such inspiring gardens, the work that you all put into them is worth every bit, and certainly reflects the love and passion you all have for these beautiful gardens.”
Libby and Robert Albert, Autumn self-drive

““We really appreciated the work you had put into making your gardens shine on the day and your hospitality was second to none.“We had a really special day. Our visit to your beautiful gardens was beyond our expectations. The visit was brilliantly organised but the winner on the day was the gardens themselves. We were really impressed that you and your other garden owners were the tour guides. We will certainly make a return visit in another season. Thank you for all your efforts.”
Fleur de Carle , Spring self-drive tour

“We had a great day, it was fantastic to see the gardens and the houses of the Monaro. My family came from the area in the 1860s but they had a harder time of it. It was great to show Sharon the high plains life, although being from south Gippsland she had a hard time seeing the country for what it produces when she complains about less than 4 inches of feed being a starvation paddock! Makes you believe it is possible to create something beautiful with small resources. Great trip, awesome venues and people, we will treasure the memories and argue about the gardens until we return! Which we certainly shall.”
Dave and Sharon Markley, Gippsland, VIC, Spring self-drive tour

“Thank you for welcoming the National Gallery of Victoria Women’s Association to the Monaro high country.   The highlight of the trip was the Private Gardens of the Monaro. Everyone had an incredible time walking through 3 spectacular gardens and greatly appreciated the amazing hospitality of the garden owners.  They are still talking about it!
Georgina Lynch, National Gallery of Victoria Women’s Association

“Thank you so much for organising and welcoming us into your private gardens which were amazing. The day far exceeded our expectations. Very well organised , informative and lovely food. Hearing about the history of the properties was very interesting .  All gardens are a credit to your passion and hard work. We came away with some great ideas.”
Jann & Phil Storer, Melbourne, VIC, Autumn self-drive tour

"Our ADFAS Travel groups really enjoyed their visits to Hazeldean, Shirley and Curry Flat. The weather, the varying Monaro scenery around your three properties, and the lovely gardens were all spectacular. Both groups commented that it was wonderful to see three such different gardens, all of which were looking wonderful. Thank you for your generous hospitality and welcoming us into your homes."
Dr. Kathleen Olive ADFAS tour leader, Academy Travel

“Our garden tour was perfect! It was a real treat to be welcomed by the gardeners themselves, and catch a glimpse of history, life on a farm and of course the gardens. We were 100% pleased. I will be putting my photos in my garden club newsletter next week!”
Chris & Robyn Bowman, QLD, Spring self-drive tour

"We had a most memorable day. The gardens were superb, the buildings fascinating , the lunch, morning and afternoon teas excellent, and the organisation behind it all deserving of compliment."
Vernon & Judy Darby, NSW, Spring self-drive tour

"Thank you all for showing us your wonderful homes and gardens- a very special treat for us. "
Chris Day & friends, Spring self-drive tour

"Each garden was a testament to generations of care and love for the land, as well as an interest in finding an Australian aesthetic.  Best wishes for the future chapters all your properties will write."
Sally Mansfield, Spring self-drive tour

"My personal thanks to all those at Hazeldean, Curry Flat and Shirley who made our Botanica visit there such a success. It was a wonderful day, one that our travellers will remember for a long time.
Judy Horton, RH MAIH HMA, Botanica Guide

"It was a joy to visit your properties and be given the opportunity to share your beautiful gardens.  Impossible to pick a favourite.  Each one so special in it's own way.  I did love the trees that have been nurtured over many years and the new plantings, Then there was the food!  Pineapple cake and chocolate/raspberry brownies, to die for rosemary shortbread biscuits and chicken wraps, and the apple tea cake – all so delicious."  Penny Anderssen, ADFAS tour

"Thank you for the lovley tour sharing your homes and gardens."
Becky Hoyt, Florida, Self-drive tour

"Love the beautiful trees, long avenues and homely courtyards. Congratulations!" Jenny, Self-drive tour

"The complete package: gracious hosts, gardens and houses."  
Alla, Self-drive tour

"Very beautiful gardens with a very relaxed feel"
 Marie & John, Self-drive tour

"Your gardens were voted as the best day we had on the 3 week tour, by the group.  A surprise we did not expect.  It was such a treat to meet you all and be so well looked after. Very many thanks for your hospitality."  UK Garden Lovers tour - Mike Nelhams, tour leader, Tresco Abbey Garden, Scilly Isles, UK.

"This has been the highlight of my first visit to Australia. The history is fascinating, both of the houses and gardens. Well done for taking the bull by the horns and making your garden develop. You've made a statement and it's wonderful! Thank you for inviting me to share the delight of your home and garden."
Hilary, Nova Scotia, Canada.

"Lovely gardens - the landscape reminds me of Scotland on a larger scale".  Pat Allen, UK.

"All three gardens and the genuine country hospitality was superb".   Val, Stapleton Qld

 "Gorgeous gardens. Love the bird habitat and views."  
Rosemary Davis,  Botanica tour guide