Botanic Brighton: NGVWA Garden Day 2025

On Thursday 23 October (10am–4pm), NGVWA Garden Day returns with Botanic Brighton, opening the gates to a curated trail of private gardens — many never before seen — where landscape is considered as carefully as the architecture.

Marshall White is proud to support the NGV Women’s Association Garden Day 2025 as a Premium Event Partner. Held on Thursday 23 October, 10am–4pm, in Brighton — home to our Bayside office — the event offers a rare chance to explore exquisite private gardens and the grounds of a nearby landmark mansion. Guests can meet leading landscape designers and browse a curated selection of seasonal produce, artisanal goods, potted plants and floral-themed books, with a raffle featuring a range of coveted prizes.

This year’s program highlights how thoughtful design can elevate urban living, with a strong focus on edible planting. Visitors can wander aromatic herb parterres, follow espaliered fruit along warm brick walls and explore seasonal vegetable beds. Among the standouts is the landmark 1892 Fairfield Hall, whose 3,400-square-metre grounds have been reimagined by Paul Bangay as a study in proportion, structure and softness. Equally compelling is Kelso, a mid-19th-century homestead where Eckersley Garden Architecture has created a significant edible garden—orchards, raised beds and composting systems reconnect the site to its farming origins. From 11am to 1pm, celebrated chef Annie Smithers will meet ticketholders at Kelso to share her paddock-to-plate approach; produce from her organic farm will be available for purchase.

Across the trail, expect restored period gardens, layered planting for year-round texture and sensitive additions that improve liveability without sacrificing character. These private green spaces offer shelter, birdsong and dappled light; they also deliver the calming benefits of “dirt therapy”, with well-documented advantages for mental and physical wellbeing. As NGVWA Vice President and Garden Day Co-Convenor Robyn Lea notes, Brighton is becoming a shining example of the gentle influence of gardens—places that nurture the eye, the body and the community.

NGVWA Garden Day is, at heart, an act of generosity: owners who open their gates, volunteers who give their time and visitors whose tickets directly support the National Gallery of Victoria through the work of the NGV Women’s Association. Tickets are now available for this inspiring day out. Street addresses for all gardens and detailed Garden Notes will be emailed to ticketholders on Tuesday 21 October. Join us to celebrate the rise of edible gardens, the beauty of great design and the joy of green space in our city, with Marshall White proudly standing alongside NGVWA to make it possible.

Event details
NGVWA Garden Day – Brighton (Botanic Brighton)
10am–4pm, Thursday 23 October 2025
Private gardens across Brighton, VIC
Tickets available now. Proceeds support the NGV Collection.

LEARN MORE https://www.ngv.vic.gov.au/support-us/ngvwa/events/ngvwa-garden-day-2025/