Organiser’s of the Bathurst Spring Garden Spectacular were thrilled when the number of people visiting the city’s gorgeous gardens over the weekend topped last year’s success.
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Perfect garden weather encouraged hundreds of people to visit a diverse range of gardens within Bathurst and also out in the countryside.
Co-ordinator Anne Llewellyn said there were eight new gardens this year for people to enjoy.
Despite fears that the bushfires might deter people, visitors travelled from all over the state, interstate and even New Zealand for the occasion. Many of the bus tours from other areas took the opportunity to be part of the Bathurst Spring Garden Spectacular one day and pay a visit to Mayfield Gardens on the other.
Ms Llewellyn said around 400 people toured the gardens on Saturday and looked like reaching a similar level again yesterday. She said this is slightly up on last year’s figures.
“We were concerned about the road closing with the fires in the mountains because a huge number of people come from Sydney and the Central Coast for the event, however they came anyway,” Ms Llewellyn said.
“The response was extraordinary and we received extremely positive comments regarding the range of gardens and the organisation of the event. One woman from Newcastle said it was the best she’d ever been to.
“People were really happy, inspired and pleased with their experience,” she said.
Ms Llewellyn said Daleba, a native garden, had 300 people through on Saturday and Winter Rose Cottage had 380 delighted visitors. These two gardens were as different as they could be, yet both were equally admired.
At the same time the big gardens out of town received more than 400 visitors.
Last year 700 people poured into Bathurst’s spectacular gardens over the two days and this year’s total looked like being up on that figure.
“The more money we make the more the charities benefit,” Ms Llewellyn said.
The Bathurst Gardiners’ Club is donating all the proceeds to Shine for Kids, Bathurst Base Hospital, Mitchell Conservatorium of Music and Old Government House Kitchen Garden.