The much-loved Castlemaine & District Festival of Gardens takes place every two years around Melbourne Cup week, attracting people from across the state as well as from interstate.

After 10 fabulous days, the 2026 Festival of Gardens has now finished. Next festival will be October/November 2028

The theme of the 2026 festival was ‘The Solace of Gardening’. This recognises that gardens can offer pleasure and calm, a refuge from a busy life and a chance to connect with nature and be surrounded by beauty.

The festival features grand country gardens, sustainable gardens, historic gardens and town gardens of many varieties. This festival we showcase six new gardens and thirteen old friends – a total of nineteen gardens.

A number of gardens are dog-friendly, as long as they are on a lead. These are noted in the program and also at a glance on the gardens page image grid.

This festival there was also a unique opportunity to visit the studios and galleries that this region is famous for as more than 30 artists will open their doors and welcome visitors. There are more artists per capita working in the Mount Alexander Shire than in any other district in the country. See the printed program or click here for more details.

For over 34 years the gardeners of Mount Alexander Shire have opened their front gates and welcomed visitors in to enjoy the fruits of their labours, thanks to the tireless efforts of a volunteer committee of garden enthusiasts.

Bus/large groups are welcome at most properties.