The annual festival was at eight gardens: three town gardens (Cummins House, Claydon House, and Atfield Garden); and five country gardens (Markdale, Hillcrest, The Mill, Casa della Pace and Lachlands).

“Most of the gardens had 1000 people go through,” said committee member Marg Anderson, adding: “The weather was glorious, it couldn’t have been better.”

Crookwell Public School hosted a Garden Lovers Market on the Saturday that was a huge success, Ms Anderson said.

There were 40 stall holders with sculptures, artwork and plants for sale.

“There were a lot of people from Canberra; [and] we had one bus from South Australia,” Ms Anderson said.

“One was from the Central Coast, one from Young, and the Ku-Ring-Gai Garden Club from Sydney,” she said. 

“It was wonderful,” added Jan Pont.

“We’ve already gardens lined up for next year.

“It’s a hidden gem here, so many beautiful gardens around the area.”

Upper Lachlan Shire Tourism officer Brian Faulkner said feedback from visitors indicated that “all the open gardens were beautiful and worthy of inclusion in the festival”.

“Several commented that it was impossible to decide which was the best overall garden, because each was so different to the rest,” Mr Faulkner said.