Blackwood Ridge

Blackwood Ridge is not a geographical location, it is a destination along a winding gravel road set in the heart of the Wombat State Forest, one hour west of Melbourne. James a trained Chef and Dan a Horticulturalist have combined their skills and passion for gardening and home-grown produce to create Blackwood Ridge, garden, kitchen and plant collector’s nursery. A place where you can spend an hour or an afternoon, to relax, indulge and soak up the elements.

THE Gardens

The five-acre property, once a derelict strawberry farm, was purchased twenty years ago for its rich mountain soil, natural springs and cool climate, which presented the perfect combination to build the garden. When you arrive at Blackwood Ridge, you will be instantly immersed in the natural beauty and an oasis of manicured gardens. The gardens which surround the nursery and restaurant are open every week from Friday to Sunday and the other private garden areas are open twice a year for two weekends in November and again in March.

THE NURSERY

A stroll through the plant nursery and you will quickly realise you are surrounded by some rare and unusual, but mostly highly ornamental plants you can purchase and take home to enjoy in your own garden. The neatly organised boutique nursery specialises in rare Japanese Maples, Rhododendrons and other collectable ornamental garden plants of only the highest quality.

THE KITCHEN

Once you’ve perused the nursery and the gardens you can sit and relax in the restaurant, set in amongst the kitchen garden. The kitchen serves fine food prepared with garden fresh ingredients combined with the best local produce the Daylesford, Macedon region has to offer. The food is fresh, fun and adventurous, perfect to share and savour with a glass of local wine or beer from the menu. The restaurant has been designed to open up to the surrounding gardens, so expect to stay a bit longer than you may have planned to savour the flavours and soak up the elements.