The Wattletree Garden
Located in the scenic Nillumbik Shire, the artistic heart of Melbourne’s northeast, The Wattletree Garden in Hurstbridge is a playful, imaginative landscape like no other. Open to visitors on the weekend of 11–12 October 2025 as part of Open Gardens Victoria, this 6.5-acre property, featuring three acres of richly cultivated gardens, is the life’s work of artist and garden creator Melissa Thomas.
What began as a bare paddock over 40 years ago is now a magical sanctuary where nature and creativity intertwine. Melissa’s sculptures and quirky installations appear throughout the garden (spot a fairy village, Monet’s bridge, a jellyfish tree, and even a mouse cinema). Native and exotic plantings blend beautifully with whimsical structures, all designed with recycled materials and ecological awareness.
Wattletree is a haven for wildlife and a celebration of imagination, where kangaroos and blue-tongue lizards roam and surprises await around every corner. From sentinel owls to treehouses and storytelling sculptures, this is a garden where art, family, and playfulness take centre stage. A joyful and inspiring visit for all ages.
Tickets are available online via TryBooking: https://www.trybooking.com/events/landing/1372088
The Wattletree Garden 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.