Breenhold Gardens in the Blue Mountains: Why should I visit?

Breenhold Gardens in Mount Wilson, New South Wales, is one of the finest private gardens in the Blue Mountains. It’s a popular wedding venue, and incredibly colourful in spring and autumn.

Breenhold Gardens is one of several marvellous gardens in the Blue Mountains to the west of Sydney. The village of Leura is perhaps best known for its gardens, and the Mt Tomah Botanic Gardens are one of the region’s highlights.

Breenhold Gardens in the village of Mount Wilson is one of several private gardens in the Blue Mountains region. It opens to the public in spring and autumn. Breenhold Gardens is also a very popular wedding venue.

7 Blue Mountains experiences you should pre-book

The Three Sisters in the Blue Mountains.

Scenic World tickets – combine dramatic train rides, cable cars & forest walks.
The Blue Mountains hop-on, hop-off bus – get around Katoomba and Leura’s top sites hassle-free.
Guided stargazing with an astrophysicist – learn how to read the clear night skies.
Give canyoning a try – jumping, climbing and sliding through Empress Canyon.
Take a half day abseiling adventure – in the Blue Mountains National Park.
Indulge in a local produce tasting experience – with beers, wines & meats.
Get adventurous – on a 4WD tour to the world’s second largest canyon.

The property covers 45 hectares, with a mix of gardens, bushland and parkland.

Breenhold Gardens in Mount Wilson, the Blue Mountains. Photo courtesy of Destination NSW.

History of Breenhold Gardens

The landscaping of these Blue Mountains gardens began in 1965, overseen by Thomas and Charlotte Breen. Since then, thousands of trees and flowering shrubs have been planted. Some of these are indigenous trees, but all of the continents are represented.

Part of Breenhold Gardens’ appeal is that it has several Northern hemisphere deciduous trees, making autumn a riot of colour. With maples, beeches, oaks and birches, Breenhold Gardens doesn’t feel particularly Australian.

Spring at this Blue Mountains garden is something of a global hodgepodge too. Magnolias, dogwood, Japanese cherry blossom trees and rhododendrons bring out the colour, with the native Australian bush acting as a frame.

5 fab ways to explore: Which Blue Mountains tour should I book?

There are dozens of Blue Mountains day tours leaving Sydney every day. The best choice will come down to personal preference and what’s included. Almost all include Echo Point and the Three Sisters – it’s just the rest of the itinerary that varies. These tours are the best bets.

Good value tour including Featherdale Wildlife Park, Scenic World & Parramatta River cruise.
Similar itinerary, but with small group and lunch included.
Wildlife-focused tour including Calmsley Hill City Farm, Govetts Leap lookout & Blue Mountains Botanic Garden.
Small group tour including bushwalks, Featherdale, Glenbrook lookouts and Govetts Leap.
Crowd-avoiding sunset tour including Euroka campground kangaroos & Wentworth Falls bushwalk.

Birds in the Blue Mountains

There’s plenty of birdlife to see while walking around Breenhold Gardens. Honeyeaters, whip birds, cockatoos and the famous Blue Mountains lyrebirds all hang out here.

Mount Wilson is also fairly high up – the gardens are about 1,000 metres above sea level. There are excellent views out over the neighbouring Blue Mountains National Park.

Breenhold Gardens also has six heavily landscaped walled gardens, most of which have pools in. The northern part of the estate is wilder, however, with bushland and forest walking trails.

Breenhold Gardens opening dates

Breenhold Gardens is open during the spring and autumn seasons. For spring, that’s generally from the end of August to the end of October. For autumn, it’s usually April and May. Entry costs $15. For more information, visit the Breenhold Gardens website. Get there from Sydney along Bells Line of Road via Kurrajong.

Other things to do in the Blue Mountains include tours of the Jenolan Caves, spotting kangaroos at the Euroka Campground and walking in the Jamison Valley.