The Bolobek Garden Fair has evolved from a much smaller event started more than 20 years ago by the Mount Macedon and District Horticultural Society to now host thousands of visitors and more than 50 stallholders selling rare plants, garden tools, trees, sculpture and many other garden related items.
There will be delicious local food and wine on offer on both days including the fair’s famous passionfruit sponges. The beautiful, historic Bolobek garden is open to visitors all weekend.
While the fair has been held at Bolobek for more than 10 years, 2025 will be the third year it has been run as a community fundraiser with money raised going to a variety of organisations in the Macedon Ranges, most of whom have an environmental or horticultural project that need funding assistance.
So many people have helped make the fair the success it has become, including significant numbers of volunteers from the Gisborne SES who give up their weekend to run the carpark and raise funds for their unit. Other local groups that raise or have raised funds for their respective organisations include local scouting groups, Rotary, CWA, Macedon Ranges Landcare, the Macedon and Mount Macedon Community House, the Gisborne Botanical Gardens, the Kyneton Botanical Gardens, Tylden Primary School and of course the Horticultural Society. More than $73,000 has been donated from the last two fairs to these organisations. In return, they provide volunteers to man the gates, run the plant creche and provide volunteer support. A win, win situation.
This year, Rodney Dunn from the Agrarian Kitchen, Australia’s 2024 Restaurant of the Year based in Tasmania, will be the keynote speaker. The Agrarian Kitchen has the most extraordinary kitchen garden adjacent to the restaurant and Rodney will explain the philosophy that drives him as well as speak to practical issues relating to soil preparation, growing vegetables, harvesting, and cooking and preserving them.
Other speakers include Carolyn Blackman from the award-winning Vivid Design, who will run one of her wonderfully informative Q&A sessions, and Chris England from Merrywood Plants who will share his extraordinary skills in the century’s old art of Espaliering.
Simon Rickard – author, tour guide and plantsman – will give tours of the garden. The Woodend Warblers will also be in attendance on both days to serenade garden visitors.
BOLOBEK GARDEN FAIR
Where: 370 Mt Macedon Rd Macedon
When: Saturday and Sunday, October 4 and 5, 10am – 4pm both days
Parking: Free – ample parking on site
Tickets: $18 and children under 16 free, online at bolobekgardenfair.com.au or at the gate.
