The Leura Gardens Festival Incorporated

The Leura Gardens Festival Incorporated is an Australian nonprofit organisation dedicated to showcasing the unique and vibrant cool climate gardens of Leura, located in the Blue Mountains region, approximately 100 kilometres west of Sydney. It is a registered charity managed and run by over 400 local volunteers, with all funds raised supporting local community needs, particularly the purchase of equipment for Katoomba Hospital[1][2].

Overview

The core event organised by the organisation is the annual Leura Gardens Festival, held each spring over a long weekend in October. The Festival offers public access to a selection of private and public gardens in Leura, famous for their spectacular displays of azaleas, rhododendrons, dogwoods, camellias, and various exotic plants suited to the cool mountain climate. The colourful and diverse floral exhibitions draw visitors from across Australia and overseas, promoting the area’s reputation as the "garden village"[3][4][5].

History and Community Role

The Festival has been a longstanding tradition that highlights Leura’s horticultural heritage and community spirit. The Leura Village itself has developed its public garden spaces since the early 1980s, supported by the Leura Village Association in partnership with the Blue Mountains City Council. This ongoing development includes planting iconic species such as cherry trees and coordinating volunteer efforts to maintain the gardens to high standards[5].

Festival Details

The Festival typically features up to 11 distinctive gardens of varying sizes, each with its own character and design. Visitors are encouraged to explore these gardens using a dedicated bus service that runs approximately every 20 minutes between the gardens and local transport hubs like Leura Station[3]. The Festival maintains visitor guidelines to protect garden integrity, including restrictions on strollers, pets (except assistance dogs), and adherence to designated paths to prevent damage to plants[3].

Charitable Focus

Fundraising efforts from the Festival contribute primarily to the healthcare sector in the Blue Mountains, notably through supporting Katoomba Hospital. The organisation channels all proceeds to buying medical equipment, reinforcing its role as a community-focused charity dedicated to improving local health services[1][3].

Volunteer Involvement

A significant feature of The Leura Gardens Festival Incorporated is its reliance on community volunteers. Over 400 locals help organise and manage the Festival, exemplifying strong community engagement and volunteerism in the Blue Mountains region[1].

This charitable organisation continues to play a key role in promoting horticultural appreciation, community cohesion, and healthcare support in the Blue Mountains through its annual celebration of Leura’s famed gardens.

[1] https://www.leuragardensfestival.com [2] https://www.acnc.gov.au/charity/charities/724072b3-3aaf-e811-a963-000d3ad244fd [3] https://leuragardensfestival.com/28-about-the-festival [4] https://www.leuravillage.com.au/event/2022/leura-gardens-festival/ [5] https://www.leuravillage.com.au