Bankisa Bend Garden

Garden and Property

The Bankisa Bend landscape, located at the heart of the Yarra Valley, features a glorious Guilford Bell house set amongst an established garden of camellias, magnolias, oaks and a Phillip Johnson designed dry garden, cascading 600m to the Yarra River, with expansive views over to the Great Dividing Range.

The garden itself covers 10 acres of sloping landscape down to the stunning Yarra River frontage lined by native and remnant vegetation.

History and Ethos

For 50,000 years the Wurundjeri people have lived and thrived in the Yarra Valley.

Rosemary Simpson and her husband came to Banksia Bend in 2000, and in 2007 she engaged Phillip Johnson to  create a new dry garden and cascade descending 600 metres to the Yarra River. 

2 years ago Phillip created a mound on which are now grown West Australian wild flowers, which have been grafted to survive in Victoria. 

Also to be seen are 50 Camellias, 12 Magnolias, assorted citrus trees and a rose garden. Beyond the garden are a 100 Oak trees.

Rosemary's passion is to save our precious water and to preserve our marvellous landscape.

Tours

Banksia Bend is open for group tours of 10 or more midweek only.

Banksia Bend is looking marvellous.

The newly planted Western Australian wild flowers on a Phillip Johnson mound, along with masses of roses and magnolias are all looking marvellous.

Groups can arive from 10.00am until12.30pm

Cost $20.00/person for an informed tour 

Please note the Garden is currently closed until February