Lose track of time, and yourself, in one of the most magical secret gardens in Australia.

There’s a reason why the children’s novel, The Secret Garden, remains enchanting more than a century beyond its release. To glimpse an unspoiled world, cloaked in flourishing plant life and elusive wildlife that evidently tend to themselves, evokes a timeless curiosity in what lies beneath.

In pursuit of these natural havens during every Aussie adventure, we’ve rounded up our top picks for you to hunt down yourself. From spectacular seasonal blooms to unexpected surprises, the country’s best secret gardens connect you to nature in extraordinary style.

1. Wendy’s Secret Garden, NSW

A totally immersive art gallery, Wendy Whiteley’s Secret Garden on Sydney’s north shore is practically spiritual. One of Australia’s best “hidden" gems, the garden is the scrupulous handwork of Wendy Whiteley, wife of late artist Brett Whiteley, and it flows with every imaginable shade of green.

Dotted through the space, which is set on a steep hill that rolls down to Sydney Harbour, are sculptures and many other endearing artefacts. Once you reach the garden’s centre, you’ll also find chairs and benches to be perched upon as you soak up the wonderment. Bird baths, cherubs, an ancient wheelbarrow and a metal fountain from the late Margaret Olley, another iconic Sydney artist, await amid a manicured mass of palms, shrubs and trees.

Best time to visit: Spring opens the spines of the garden’s Doryanthese excelsa, a Sydney native, to flower.
Price: Free.
Address: Lavender Street, Lavender Bay

2. Alfred Nicholas Memorial Gardens, Vic

The Dandenong Ranges, right next to Victoria’s Yarra Valley, is renowned for its outdoor hijinks and stellar dining, but have you explored its secret garden? The Alfred Nicholas Memorial Gardens is a historical site, once the actual garden of the three-storey Burnham Beeches mansion, and walking paths direct you through the tranquillity.

Be soothed by the garden’s lake as you explore an old boathouse and picnic areas. Vivid colour displays bounce off a mecca of ferns, orchids, mountain ash trees and other glorious flora and fauna.

Best time to visit: During autumn when leaves change colour.
Price: Free.
Address: Sherbrooke Road, Sherbrooke

3. Bonsai House, Qld

Nestled within the ever-popular Brisbane Botanic Gardens lies a secret garden often overlooked. Bonsai House is exactly what it sounds like, a space dedicated to the ancient Japanese art of growing miniature trees in pots, and inside you’ll be floored by the delicate little creations on show.

One of the country’s largest collections of bonsai displays, this secret garden shines a light on the species that thrive in a subtropical climate, spanning figs, azaleas and other varieties, with some living and breathing for more than 80 years.

Best time to visit: All year round.
Price: Free.
Address: Within the Brisbane Botanic Gardens, 152 Mount Coot-Tha Road, Mount Coot-tha

4. Umpherston Sinkhole/Balumbul, SA

It’s not so secret these days but the Limestone Coast’s remarkable garden within a sinkhole is certainly a surprise to uncover. The Umpherston Sinkhole, a giant hole in the ground that’s overgrown with greenery, is breathtaking, complete with swaying vines, leafy walls and flowers planted in topsoil across the sinkhole’s base.

To pretty it all up further, seats and a barbecue area are down there too, making it one of the most unusual spots to connect to nature in all of South Australia.

Best time to visit: All year round.
Price: Free.
Address: Jubilee Highway E, Mount Gambier

5. Emu Valley Rhododendron Garden, Tas

Bask in the beauty of vividly hued rhododendron blooms, which turn various shades of the rainbow, at Tasmania’s Emu Valley Rhododendron Garden. More than 24,000 plants have been planted across 11 hectares in the city of Burnie in northwest Tassie, with the prettiest sights set against a beautiful pond.

You might even spot an echidna or platypus around the place as native critters are known to frequent the stunning secret garden. A cafe is also on-site to help rehydrate eager explorers.

Best time to visit: Mid-September to mid-November.
Price: $15 per adult.
Address: 55 Breffny Road, Romaine

6. Cactus Country, Vic

Swap leafy greenery for prickly succulents at Cactus Country in regional Victoria, right near the Victoria-New South Wales border. Australia’s largest cactus farm, fittingly plonked in the middle of nowhere and clocking in at 0.8 hectares in size, is home to more than 1000 cacti varieties.

Eight trails take you through the entire lot while an elevated lookout offers the ultimate Instagram backdrop.

Best time to visit: All year round.
Price: $22.50 per person.
Address: 4986 Murray Valley Highway, Strathmerton

7. Holberry House Sculpture Walk, WA

You may have visited Western Australia’s historic Holberry House, located in Nannup, but its glorious lower gardens, scattered with sculptures, are often overlooked. Crafted by local communities, the series of artworks often incorporate natural materials and look striking against the beautifully maintained space.

Pull up a garden chair and take your time as the calming surroundings put you at one with this picturesque corner of town.

Best time to visit: All year round.
Price: $4 per person.
Address: 14 Grange Road, Nannup

8. Moonta Bay Secret Garden, SA

You won’t believe what you step into when you find the Secret Garden in South Australia’s Moonta Bay. Wander down the Kemp Place walkway to enter a breathtaking lookout over the foreshore as manicured shrubs, vivid blooms and soft, fluffy lawn create an ethereal scene.

Make like savvy locals do and pack a picnic as there are several shaded spots to take advantage of and the garden is protected from coastal wind.

Best time to visit: All year round.
Price: Free.
Address: Kemp Place, Moonta Bay, Yorke Peninsula

9. Lisgar Gardens, NSW

Journey to suburban Sydney – West Hornsby to be precise – to discover the beautiful Lisgar Gardens, home to almost 100 varieties of the striking camellia. While their scent is intoxicating, there are also three picture-perfect waterfalls to marvel at as you explore 2.6 hectares of secret gardens.

Native ferns and trees also gather in the peaceful space, while several fishponds, a gazebo, spacious lawns, picnic tables and a rainforest walk are also ready to be discovered.

Best time to visit: The camellias flourish in full colour between April and September.
Price: Free.
Address: Lisgar Road, Hornsby

10. Featherston Gardens, ACT

Once part of the Canberra Institute of Technology School of Horticulture, Featherston Gardens in Canberra is a tranquil space maintained by volunteers along Weston Creek.

Eucalypt woodlands, a storybook-esque pond, native plants, gazebos and shelters can be found throughout the 3.5-hectare sanctuary. A series of paths lead you through the highlights, however simply strolling through any section will spark a heightened sense of glee.

Best time to visit: Autumn, as tree leaves change through miraculous colour.
Price: Free.
Address: Heysen Street, Weston