Lisgar Gardens
Lisgar Gardens is a hillside public garden on Lisgar Road in Hornsby, known for its camellias. The standout feature is a collection of more than 300 camellia specimens across 2.6 hectares of sandstone-walled terraces, ponds and waterfalls. Opened to the public in 1968, it is recognised as an International Camellia Garden of Excellence.
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About Lisgar Gardens
Camellia Collection at Lisgar Gardens
The camellia collection at Lisgar Gardens includes more than 300 specimens, with over 200 varieties. Max Cotton and Professor Eben Gowrie Waterhouse had planted 72 camellia varieties in the garden by the early 1950s. The camellia 'Cassandra' is more than 75 years old and is described as the best surviving specimen of a rare early New South Wales cultivar. In 2020, the International Camellia Society named Lisgar Gardens an International Camellia Garden of Excellence.
Water Features and Walks at Lisgar Gardens
Lisgar Gardens has a shade house with fish ponds and three waterfalls. A covered pavilion and informal lawn areas sit among the plantings, and a rainforest walk and paved walking trails run through the garden. Picnic tables are set in the shaded areas, so visitors can stop for a picnic.
Facilities at Lisgar Gardens
Visitor tips for Lisgar Gardens
- ✓The garden can be booked for up to three hours for weddings, naming ceremonies, group excursions and professional photography or filming. Parties and catering are not suitable.
- ✓Fees and conditions of hire are available from Hornsby Shire Council as PDF documents.
Getting to Lisgar Gardens
Lisgar Gardens is on Lisgar Road, Hornsby NSW 2077. Parking on Lisgar Road is restricted, so visitors are asked to park in the surrounding streets such as William Street, and coaches cannot access Lisgar Road. The pavilion and formal lawn can be reached by inclinator, which needs prior notice to Hornsby Shire Council.
Open in Google Maps →Frequently asked questions about Lisgar Gardens
Is Lisgar Gardens open on weekends?
Yes. It is open on Saturday and Sunday from 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM, and it is closed on public holidays and during adverse weather.
Are there toilets at Lisgar Gardens?
Yes. The garden has public toilets.
Can I hold a wedding at Lisgar Gardens?
Yes. Weddings can be booked for up to three hours, but the garden is not suitable for parties or catering.
Is Lisgar Gardens wheelchair accessible?
The pavilion and formal lawn can be reached by inclinator, but you need to give prior notice to Hornsby Shire Council.