Six beautiful gardens and other activities for your enjoyment
 The Lions Club of Queanbeyan is proud to present the Annual Burra Open Gardens weekend on Saturday 7 November and Sunday 8 November 2008
This year, six stunning local gardens will be open to the public over the weekend. The weekend helps to raise funds for the Queanbeyan Lions and Burra Community Association. Gardens will be open to the public from 10 am to 5 pm on both days.
This year, there will be special activities at St Pauls Church where visitors can participate in an outdoor pizza oven building activity and participate in a panel and discussion form on Landscape Architecture, Heritage & Gardens.
On Saturday at 12 noon in the beautiful Nankeen garden (Venue 6), the award-winning OOTS (Out of the Shower) Choir will sing. A part of the Tuggeranong Arts Centre program, OOTS particularly welcomes over 50s to get out and give singing ‘a go’. Their repertoire includes popular songs, world music and the occasional old favourite.
In the spectatular surrounds of the Woowoolahra garden (Venue 3), host Allan Schmidt will be showcasing dog agility sessions. A treat for the whole family, Allan's talented canines will be put through their paces at 11:00am and 3:00pm on both days. Tickets on sale at all gardens
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A ticket provides for 1 person to visit each garden once and may be used over 2 days
$15 per person ($10 for Concession Card holders)
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Single garden visit (pay at garden) $10 per person (Concession rate $5)
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Children under the age of 15, free
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Gardens open 10 am to 5 pm, Saturday 7 November and Sunday 8 November.
Refreshments
Refreshments can be purchased at:
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Burra Hall and Park, Burra Road (between venues 4 and 5).
Morning and afternoon teas, and sausage sizzle for sale in aid of the Burra Bushfire Brigade
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Venue 3, Glenbog – Plummers Road
Morning and Afternoon teas
- Venue 6, Nankeen,
Light lunches, morning and afternoon teas
Toilet facilities at Burra Park, St James Church, London Bridge Reserve, and Woowoolahra (Venue 3) Plant sales
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Venue 2, Roselawn – Queanbeyan High School Agriculture plants for sale
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Venue 4, Glenbog – A variety of products for sale including plants, teas, lavender products and preserves
- Venue 5, Tijara – Established potted tall bearded iris plants (including a selection bred at Tijara) for sale. Orders can be taken for irises not available in pots
Directions
Direction signs will be placed at key points on routes from Canberra and Queanbeyan, and at each participating garden. Two venues are located on Old Cooma Rd, and the remaining four are accessed from Burra Road.
Please note
- Picnics welcome
- Dogs not permitted
- All gardens have dams or ponds Children and others at risk must be closely supervised
- The gardens are only open at the times specifi ed unless other arrangements are made
- Do not enter a house unless invited by the owner
Venue 1– St Paul's Church
 Rev. James and Jo Wood
St Paul’s Anglican Church - 1290 Old Cooma Rd
Romanesque-style Church first opened in 1868. With its lovely walls of rubble-stone it is often noted by visitors to the area. While there was much activity during St Paul’s first 50 years, by the early part of the 20th Century the church was not regularly used. During the Depression, it became the overnight haunt of itinerant rural workers. Re-opened in 1951 the Church has been used regularly to the present day.
For the second time, this year St Paul’s will open its doors to visitors and worshippers over the Open Gardens weekend. Visitors are welcome to attend Church services at 8:00 am or 9.45 am on Sunday 8th November.
Special Activities At St Paul's
Saturday and Sunday
Outdoor Pizza Oven building demonstration with Grant Walker
Here is your chance to see how it’s done and to roll up your sleeves to throw some mud about – even taste some pizza if you’re lucky.
Sunday 8th only at 1pm
Panel & Discussion Forum “Landscape Architecture, Heritage & Gardens” (1 hr approx).
University of Canberra Landscape Architecture Department. A case study focussing on St Paul’s & the Burra community.
More information:
- Toilet facilities
- Parking in street or at Roselawn garden opposite. Caution: road hazard
The Gardens
Venue 2 – Roselawn
Carol Paterson
1291 Old Cooma Rd
(12.9 kms from Queanbeyan. 0.7km from Old Cooma /Burra Rd corner)
 Today, Roselawn is a 3.5 acre garden, established around the remnants of an original 1930s garden. The first plantings in 1997 were the grove of trees and shrubs on the western border.
Roselawn has an extensive vegetable garden in eleven raised beds near the site of the original 1930s homestead.
By the side of the house, is the central feature of the garden, a Monet-inspired footbridge arching over a life-filled pond. You can watch the spurting water fountains sparkling in the sunlight and the flashes of orange of the darting fish just beneath the clear surface of the water. A second water feature is a charming little waterfall that cascades into a pebbled channel that winds its way to a calm and shaded rock pool.
The garden is planted with a wide mixture of natives and exotics, old fashioned iris, drifts of evening primrose, lavenders, roses & penstemon. An adjacent dam, planted with natives, provides a wonderful haven for birds. The entire ambience of Roselawn is of natural beauty that inspires a sense of peace and tranquillity in those who visit.
More information
- Parking near the garden in an adjacent paddock (signposted)
- Queanbeyan High School Agriculture plants for sale
Venue 3 – Woowoolahra
 Monica and Allan Schmidt
6 London Bridge Road
(Corner Burra and London Bridge Rds)
This semi-formal garden with its lush green lawns, mature trees and vibrant exotics epitomises the pleasure of country living. Structured lines blend seamlessly with loose flowing plants. Archways beckon you to secluded groves, perfect for contemplation, which in turn lead to beautiful open areas with vistas of the stunning Burra valley.
The sanctuary of Woowoolahra provides the perfect ‘tree change’: a country escape with a relaxed rural feel.
Other activities at Woowoolahra
Host Alan Schmidt will present dog agility demonstrations 11:00am and 3:00pm each day
More information
- Parking: outside the property on London Bridge Rd
- Toilet facilities
Venue 4 – Glenbog
Lyn Blair, David Williams and Jason Beaupeurt-Smith
314 Plummers Rd, Burra
(3.1km from Burra/Plummers Rd corner)
Nestling in the foothills of Mount Campbell this 2 hectare garden has developed sequentially over 7 years on what was an exposed rocky hillside.
The garden takes full advantage of the stunning views over the Burra Valley and the Tinderry peaks beyond. Initially, windbreak hedges were established for protection. Due to the lack of top soil, garden beds have been raised using compost and mulch, then edged with bush rock.
The driveway is lined with ornamental plums, leylandii, Manchurian pear and eucalyptus species. Large beds of ornamental trees, shrubs and roses border the garden entrance. Arbours of climbing roses, wisteria and ornamental grape lead into beautiful enclosed garden ‘rooms’. Plants have been chosen for their hardiness to cold, wind and drought conditions. Once established, plantings rely solely on rain water.
A commercial planting of oil producing lavender and natives, including waratah line the banks overlooking the valley. New garden areas are added each year.
More information
- Morning and afternoon teas
- Plants, teas, lavender products and preserves for sale
- Parking inside - adjacent to Nursery
Venue 5 – Tijara Iris Garden
Len and Shirley Pain
100 Williamsdale Rd
Nestled under the brow of Warri Hill this delightful garden has commanding views of the Burra Valley & Tinderry Mountains.
Beginning 23 years ago with the planting of a westerly windbreak of evergreen and deciduous shrubs and trees, the garden exhibits graveled lawn areas that meander through rockery enhanced gardens. Paved paths entwine beneath eucalypt trees under-planted with camellias and a myriad of low maintenance shrubs and border plants.
Beyond a small bridge and past Chinese elm and silver birch trees lies a circular cottage garden of annuals, perennials and herbs. Over 700 registered varieties of tall bearded iris frame the valley view and provide a panorama of colour. A horseshoe-shaped cottage garden is planted with low maintenance, drought tolerant plants and demonstrates the beneficial effects of mulching.
The garden relies mostly on natural watering. Garden pests are mostly controlled by the resident ducks.
More information
- Parking inside property - at the top of Warri Hill
- Established potted tall bearded iris plants (including a selection bred at Tijara) for sale.
- Orders can be taken for irises not available in pots.
Venue 6 – Nankeen
28 Finlay Place, Burra (follow signs off Williamsdale Rd)
Brian and Rosemary Flanagan
Commenced in 1986, this garden is sited on 3 acres of a 50 acre block, boasting 2 creeks and 3 willow trees. Exposed to north westerly winds, severe frost, and drought for over ten years, progress has been a challenge.
Windbreaks and shelter plantings have enabled the establishment of a garden with a series of “rooms”. Exotics proved hardier than natives originally, although native areas are now bringing great pleasure. All plants are hardy and require little water. Birds and other animals have found sanctuary here and are becoming increasingly prolific.
The garden rooms now include a native walk, native bird haven, Japanese garden, cottage garden, rose gardens, conifer garden, lawns, vegetable garden and orchard.
With its 360 degree views of the beautiful Burra Valley this garden offers opportunity for relaxation and inspiration.
Other activities at Nankeen
On Saturday only at 12 noon, the award-winning OOTS (Out of the Shower) Choir will sing in the Nankeen garden. A part of the Tuggeranong Arts Centre program, OOTS particularly welcomes over 50s to get out and give singing ‘a go’. Their repertoire includes popular songs, world music and the occasional old favourite.
More information
- Parking within property
- Light lunches, morning and afternoon teas
Venue 7 – Minton East
Penny and Geoff Haberfeld
1421 Burra Rd, Burra
(1km past the Urila Rd turnoff)
among the lower foothills of the Tinderry Range, this relaxed country garden offers the visitor beautiful bush vistas. The large grassed areas around the house are planted with exotics which have survived prolonged drought conditions.
Due to the drought, the garden embankments have also been a challenge. New plantings here include euphorbias and dwarf wormwoods. A feature of the area in front of the house is a long rose garden with under-plantings of snow-in-summer. The rear garden features a magnificent standard Crepuscule rose, mature silver birch under-planted with bulbs, winter roses and Viburnum plicatum mariesii. This property is currently operating as an Arabian and stock horse stud aiming to produce quality endurance horses.
More information about the Burra Open Gardens
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The Lions Club of Queanbeyan has organized this weekend for you. The profits from gate-takings for the weekend are divided between the Queanbeyan Lions Club and the Burra Community Association for community projects.
Enquiries
Margaret Dorsch
Telephone: 0409 141 595
Email: opengardens@burra.org.au
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Sponsors – Garden activity program at St Paul's Church
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