Lisgar Gardens
Address:
Lisgar Road, Hornsby
Phone:
(02) 9847 6791
Email:
hsc@hornsby.nsw.gov.au
Download a brochure - Lisgar Gardens brochure - 404kb
Opening hours
Monday to Friday 8:00 am until 3:30 pm
Saturday and Sunday
EST 10:00am to 4:00pm
DST 10:00am to 5:00pm
Getting there and parking
Due to restricted parking in Lisgar Road, visitors to the gardens are asked to park in surrounding streets such as William Street.
Access by car, or a 1 kilometre walk from Hornsby railway station. Access to the gardens is via steps or inclinator from Lisgar Road only.
About the gardens
Lisgar Gardens covers an area of 2.4 hectares (6 acres) in Lisgar Road, Hornsby.
The site was originally purchased in 1917 by Max Cotton (1887-1967) from his brother Leo, specifically for the purpose of creating the gardens. In 1967, Hornsby Shire Council purchased the property, naming it Lisgar Gardens. The gardens were opened to the public on 21 September, 1968.
Built on a steep hillside, the gardens’ different levels were created by the construction of sandstone block walls. By 1950 the gardens were planted with rhododendrons, azaleas, gardenias and other exotics in harmony with native trees and ferns, highlighting the seventy two varieties of camellias.
Some of the original camellias still exist in the gardens today and are now over fifty years old. Since Council purchased the site, the work commenced by Max Cotton has continued.
The gardens now boast over ninety varieties of camellias, mass plantings of annuals in the formal gardens, a covered pavilion for weddings and other celebrations, a shade house containing the fish ponds, a gazebo, three waterfalls, informal lawn areas, picnic tables and a rainforest walk.
Things To Do
- Picnicking
- Enjoy the formal gardens and annual displays
- Weddings
Facilities
- Disabled access via inclinator by prior appointment
- Toilets
- Picnic tables
- Covered pavilion for weddings and christenings
Hire of the gardens (limit of 3 hours for all bookings)
Lisgar Gardens can be booked for:
- Weddings, naming ceremonies and other celebrations
- Group excursions and garden inspections for large groups
- Professional photography and filming
Fees and charges
- Wedding Ceremony - $500.00
- Wedding Photos - $220.00
Friends of Lisgar Gardens
The Friends are a volunteer group whose aims are to 'promote, protect and enhance' Lisgar Gardens. If you would like to become a Friend of Lisgar Gardens, download Lisgar Gardens brochure - 404kb and fill out the membership form.
The Secretary
Friends of Lisgar Gardens
c/o Parks and Landscapes Team
Hornsby Council
PO Box 37
Hornsby NSW 1630