Some of Benalla Rural City’s most beautiful private gardens will open to the public during the 2026 Benalla Festival.
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The Open Gardens program gives visitors the chance to explore these special spaces while raising funds for the Tomorrow Today Foundation.
The gardens open on Sunday, November 1 from 10am to 4pm, with entry $5 per garden.
Each garden tells its own story.
One is a formal heritage garden, one was shaped by drought, and one reflects more than three decades of care.
Together, they show the passion and patience of the people who tend them.
Benalla Rural City deputy mayor and Benalla Festival chair Justin King said the program was a lovely way to see a different side of Benalla.
“These are people’s homes and gardens, and they’re kind enough to open them up to all of us,” Cr King said.
“You get to have a wander, pick up a few ideas and help a great local cause at the same time. You can’t beat that.”
Holland Park, Florence Court and Mont Alto, the three gardens open during the official festivities, will be open on Sunday, November 1 from 10am to 4pm, with an entry fee of $5 per person per location.
Holland Park
Holland Park’s garden, created 20 years ago during a time of severe drought, is built for the seasons.
Its owners chose a simple design that makes the most of the borrowed landscape along the creek, creating a sustainable country garden suited to local conditions.
Since then, the garden has faced every extreme.
It has weathered long hot dry spells, years of heavy rain and hard frosts.
Visitors will notice some losses caused by the particularly dry weather last summer, along with a few bare patches, as the owners had not planned to open the garden this year.
They describe Holland Park as a work in progress, which they say is absolutely part of its charm.
It is a real, working country garden and a useful example for anyone gardening in a changing climate.
They believe that if a garden can inspire or give some ideas to others, it is always worth a look.
Holland Park is at 270 Emu Bridge Rd, Benalla.
Florence Court
Florence Court’s horticultural offering has been more than 30 years in the making.
When Sarah and Richard de Crespigny arrived at Florence Court in 1989, the garden already had a wonderful framework of mature deciduous trees.
The rest, however, was rather disorganised.
Over many years, the couple have transformed the property.
They have established sweeping lawns, created a classic English border garden and planted large drifts of daffodils.
They have also cared for the grand old trees that give the garden its shape.
One of the highlights at Florence Court is the ha-ha wall.
A ha-ha, also known as a sunk fence, blind fence, ditch and fence, deer wall, or foss, is a recessed landscape design element that creates a vertical barrier while preserving an uninterrupted view of the landscape beyond.
The name comes from viewers’ surprise when seeing the construction.
At Florence Court, the ha-ha maintains the open vista, giving visitors uninterrupted views of the Broken River from the back lawn.
Florence Court is at 758 Samaria Rd, Benalla.
Mont Alto
Over the past 23 years, the garden at Mont Alto has evolved and matured, while remaining true to the original garden plan that continues to shape its character today.
A standout feature of the front garden is the magnificent Chinese Elm. Now more than 80 years old, the tree has flourished through careful attention, regular watering and ongoing care, becoming a striking centrepiece of the landscape.
The garden is also home to two palm trees whose trunks have been sculpted by a local arborist.
Their unique form complements the historic house, which was built in 1910 for a local merchant.
Blending formal structure with informal plantings, the garden offers a harmonious mix of styles that creates interest, beauty and a welcoming atmosphere throughout the seasons.
Mont Alto is at 30 Thomas St, Benalla.
With all Sunday, November 1 gardens open at the same time, visitors can plan their own trail and take in as many as they like.
Comfortable shoes are a good idea, and if you possess a green thumb, or just admire those who do, you may also want to bring a camera.
Every $5 entry supports the Tomorrow Today Foundation and the important work it does in the Benalla Rural City community.
“Open Gardens gives people the chance to see some truly beautiful spaces that are normally private, while meeting the passionate people behind them,” Cr King said.
“It’s about discovering new ideas, enjoying the outdoors and connecting with our community, all while supporting a fantastic local cause.
“Whether you’re an experienced gardener looking for inspiration, a passionate plant lover or simply someone who enjoys exploring beautiful spaces, there’s something to discover in this year’s Open Gardens program.”
For more information visit benallafestival.com.au