Enter for a chance to win an Open Gardens Annual Membership!
*Brought to you by Open Gardens SA
Spring is just around the corner and it’s a great time to visit beautiful open gardens to celebrate the arrival of warmer days and sunshine! Open Gardens SA is delighted to present the early Spring program of open gardens for 2026.
All gardens are open from 10am until 4.30pm on the dates listed. General entry to each garden is $10, and $8 for Open Gardens SA Members and for those with a Commonwealth Government Pensioner Concession Card or Health Care Card. Under 18 receive free entry. Visitors are encouraged to bring cash as EFTPOS facilities are not always available.
September 2026
12 & 13 September
St Anns – 14 Orley Road, Stirling
A stunning Hill’s garden with choice plants suited to a cool microclimate. A wide staircase ascends the terraced block from the grand and gracious 1860s stone home. In parts the garden is formal in style with hedging and garden rooms, also areas with a natural woodland feel planted with rhododendrons, camellias, swathes of hellebores, clivia and bulbs.
The Garden at Balmae – 799 North South Road, Maitland
A relatively young farm garden created when most of the original neglected garden was renovated. Although still evolving, it is now an established family-friendly garden with spacious lawns, flowers, a framework of hedges, shady trees, a thriving productive patch and a small picking garden, all with a backdrop of a vivid yellow canola crop and farmland.
19 & 20 September
Para Para – 17-19 Penrith Avenue, Gawler West
Para Para is a magnificent old mansion built in 1862. The garden is formal in layout with simplified planting to reduce maintenance and water use. Rosemary hedges are infilled with many different species of lavender which is harvested and used to create lavender products. The front 4 rooms of this historic home will also be open.
20 September (Sunday only)
Marybank Estate – 404 Montacute Road, Rostrevor
The charming old home was built in 1842 and the rambling and relaxed outer parts of the garden date from that era and are unchanged. Includes Mediterranean plants and some rare trees from the Canary Islands, also succulents, aloes and other tough species that have naturalized. Some areas not irrigated. Newer areas are planted with roses and perennials and there is a vineyard.
26 & 27 September
Wattle Be Will Bee Bush Garden – 27 William Street, Springton
Time spent as teachers in remote areas of NT fostered an interest in the native plants that fill the garden. Sawdust paths wind through bush-like planting to a grass fringed pond. Rusty steel sculptures, a covered veg garden and an orchard. Small museum area with old farming paraphernalia. See Open Gardens website for details of interesting talks and native plant sales.
Y Creigiau – 20 Keyneton Road, Eden Valley
Y Creigiau, meaning ‘the rocky place’ is Welsh and was inspired by the stony terrain of the 1.25acre sloping block. Many tons of stones were unearthed in creating the garden and a huge outcrop of boulders has become an impressive feature. Winding paths lead through trees and garden beds filled with pretty perennials, bulbs and succulents, all thriving in harsh conditions.
Some of the proceeds from the garden openings are donated to charities of the garden owners’ choice. Thanks to the generosity of garden owners, volunteers and visitors, more than $1.6 million has been donated to charities since 2015.
Visit the Open Gardens SA Website for more information about open gardens. Please visit the website regularly for updates to the program. Follow Open Gardens SA on Facebook and Instagram.
Open Gardens SA - Promoting the enjoyment, knowledge and benefits of gardens and gardening.
WIN AN ANNUAL MEMBERSHIP TO OPEN GARDENS SA
Thanks to Open Gardens SA and Seniors Card, two (2) lucky Seniors Card members have the opportunity to win either an Annual Single Membership (valued at $30) or an Annual Couple Membership (valued at $60).
Membership offers you a chance to associate with other garden lovers, receive a discounted entry fee for each open garden, discount offers, regular invitations, and emails announcing the coming weekend’s openings, and show your support for our work.
*Please note the Membership discount will only be applicable to Seniors Card members who currently do not hold a Commonwealth Government Pensioner Concession Card or Health Care Card as these card holders already receive discounted entry.
For a chance to win this great prize, email seniorscardcomps@sa.gov.au with either ANNUAL SINGLE MEMBERSHIP or ANNUAL COUPLE MEMBERSHIP in the subject line and your details including your name and Seniors Card number in the body of the email.
Entries close Friday, 4 September at 10am. Winners will be drawn randomly and contacted by email.
View the terms and conditions before entering this competition.
Winner’s name and email address will be provided to Open Gardens SA to issue the membership.