Open Gardens Victoria was established in 2015 by a group of dedicated Victorian volunteers in response to the closure of the long-running Open Gardens Australia (OGA) scheme.

Motivated by strong public interest in private garden access and the sense of community these openings inspire, they launched the new, state-based initiative to carry the tradition forward. With modest seed funding from OGA and Fleming’s Nurseries, their aim was to build on the national program’s legacy through a more locally focused and contemporary model.

“We knew the public’s passion for garden openings was still strong, so we set out to carry the tradition forward in Victoria, with a fresh approach that showcased the many benefits of gardens and gardening,” says Liz Fazio, Open Gardens Victoria’s Founding Chair.

Ten years on, Open Gardens Victoria has grown into a thriving, volunteer-run, not-for-profit organisation, with over 300 private gardens opened to the public across the state and welcoming more than 200,000 visitors through the gates. The program showcases the diversity of Victorian gardens and champions horticultural education, sustainability, and charitable giving.