Blue Mountains Online - Everglades Gardens

opening hoursspring & summer 10am - 5 pm, autumn & winter 10 am - 4 pm
priceAdult $6 Concession $4 Children $2
addressEverglades Avenue Leura
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The creation of the Gardens In 1932 the Belgian-born industrialist Henri Van de Velde purchased a 13 acre orchard and bush land in Leura with fabulous views over the Jamison Valley. The following year he commissioned the Danish-born landscape designer Paul Sorensen to create a garden at his proposed weekender.

Van de Velde's money from Feltex carpets and other wool goods and his passion for his Everglades project combined with Sorensen's design genius and skills. Depression labour was on hand to move thousands of tons of earth and rock, and build miles of curvaceous stone walls and paths that are a Sorensen signature.
Over four years the two Euro-Australians and a small army of local artisans and labourers, many also born in Europe, created a terraced paradise that would become a landmark in garden design, uniting romantic European elements, modernism and the raw magic of the Australian bush.

A series of formal and informal gardens were stepped down the hillside, each with its own excitement and points of interest. One of the most dramatic features of the garden is the old entrance of the London Chartered Bank in George Street, Sydney, which Van de Velde demolished to build Feltex House, an art deco office block.
Exotic plants and trees from Europe, America and Asia were integrated with native flora and the spectacular vistas. Paul Sorensen continued working on Everglades until Van de Velde's death in 1947 and the subsequent sale of the property.

When the National Trust acquired it in 1962, Sorensen was contracted to supervise restorations and remained involved until 1970. In 1994, after years of leasing out Everglades, the Trust took it back and major renovations of the gardens were undertaken. Today they are once again magnificent with the formal terraces restored and work ongoing in the outer gardens and bush land.

Everglades Images


Henri Van de VeldeThe man who purchased a 13 acre orchard and bush land in Leura with fabulous views over the Jamison Valley. The following year he commissioned the Danish-born landscape designer Paul Sorensen to create a garden at his proposed weekender.
The facade...One of the most dramatic features of the garden is the old entrance of the London Chartered Bank in George Street, Sydney, which Van de Velde demolished to build Feltex House, an art deco office block.
The tea roomThe perfect way to relax and enjoy a cup of tea the way it used to be....

Tea Rooms Everglades tea rooms in the 1930s house and courtyard specialise in old-fashioned fare. Sit under the silver birch in the courtyard with the fountain burbling and unexpected displays from our peacocks (immortalised in the courtyard screens), cosy up beside the open fire in the living room or feast your eyes on the vast Jamison Valley from the breakfast room.

Everglades weddings

Everglades Gardens also have packages available for your special day. We are able to offer the following services: Wedding ceremony and photography * Up to two hours for the ceremony, toast & photography * You choose a site in the gardens for the ceremony * Wedding photographs can be taken throughout the gardens * Weddings are during daylight hours only * Only one wedding is held at one time * The garden remains open to the public during wedding ceremonies & photography * Wet weather contingency for up to 80 guests: Garden Gallery on the Studio Terrace * Your guests are welcome to visit the gardens throughout the wedding day Drinks & Nibbles Catering Everglades does not have council zoning for receptions. Drinks & nibbles for the toast, and during your photographic session, are permitted. You may cater for yourselves, hire Everglades catering service (BYO alcohol), or choose outside caterers. Location hire fee Location hire including up to 30 guests: $350 $7 for each person over and above 30 guests. No charge for the bridal couple. No charge for children aged 12 and under. Children must be supervised by an adult. Equipment Hire Fees Table & chairs for registry signing: no charge Chair hire: $1.50 each Trestle table hire: $5 each Champagne/wine glass hire: 40c each Ground repair charge (if a marquee is hired) $50 For further information please contact our staff
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