Leura Gardens Festival, Blue Mountains Spring Gardens

"Everglades" 37 Everglades Avenue Leura, is open courtesy of the National Trust of Australia.

"Everglades" is the largest and most famous garden designed by Paul Sorensen, Australia's "Master Gardener" Work began in 1934 after Belgian born business man Henri Van de Velde hired Sorensen to oversee work on thirteen acres of steeply sloping orchard. Over the next four years, they were joined by a small army of local artisans and labourers, and created a terraced paradise that would become a landmark in garden design. The result of their labours united Eoropean Romanticism, 1930's Modernism, and the natural magic of the Australian bush.

Eight decades later "Everglades" is now maintained by the National Trust, and attracts and delights 25,000 visitors each year.

On entering the main gate, you are greeted by a colourful swathe of spring flowering bulbs, vivid tulip beds, daffodil lawn, and drifts of bluebells. Azaleas, and rhododendrons are ablaze with colour on the southern slopes, with views of the Jamison valley beyond.

The studio terrace is home to the original squash court mirrored by the Reflection Pool, and the stunning garden theatre with its clipped conifer wings, and dramatic arched water feature.

On the lower terraces you will find the Art Deco House, and the colourful cherry terrace, complete with graceful weeping cherries. A watercourse meanders through the wooded "Glades" area, falling dramatically into the fern fringed "Grotto" pool below.

Pick up a map of "Everglades" at the entrance gate, stop for refreshments, and be tempted by the range of plants available for purchase.

Please note that the National Trust will impose an admission charge of $4 for children visiting "Everglades".