Mount Tomah Botanic Garden

The Rock Garden

On a far grander scale is the Rock Garden which covers a large area of the slope below the Visitor Centre and has as its central axis a series of cascades and ponds. Except for a section built of limestone to accommodate plants adapted to this substratum, this garden was constructed using the local basalt. It was designed to produce a variety of habitats for plants from rocky situations around the world.

The Heather Garden and the Northern Pavilion

The Formal Garden

Also on a large scale is the Formal Garden, inspired by traditional European styles, which is laid out on three terraces to the south of the Visitor Centre. On the first terrace is a herb garden, with plants arranged in simple geometric beds, and a small rose garden, with a collection of modern and heritage roses.

Within its general landscape the garden contains several areas which are, as it were, selfcontained gardens. Amongst these are the Heather Garden, on the northern slope, and the Residence Garden, set close to the highest point in the garden against a superb panorama of the northern Blue Mountains. And towards the lowest point is the Brunet Garden, in which is retained a collection of mature trees and shrubs which were planted by the Brunets as their private garden. A pavilion dedicated to their memory is nearby.

The Brunet Pavilion in autumn

Next comes the Lawn Terrace, recalling formal 17th century gardens with its manicured lawns and clipped hedges. This leads on to the colourful Pergola Terrace on which the planting is based on the English herbaceous border and where the pergola and arches are clothed with roses and other climbers. The Forest Walk and Viewing Platform to the east of the Formal Garden have been developed to allow visitors a glimpse of the original vegetation.