Gory'u Japanese Gardens Japanese Theme Gardens ,Maple Springs Nursery — Attraction in Little Hartley

Visited the beautiful gardens and nursery yesterday, after having wanted to come last autumn, and was not disappointed. The gardens are lovely and I can imagine in autumn will be spectacular. I had also wanted to buy a few maples from the nursery and was overwhelmed by the choice. There are apparently 300 or so cultivars here, many of which I had not heard of. If you are after maples, especially those varieties beyond the common dozen or so that you find in retail garden centres, this nursery is a must-visit and definitely worth a special trip. There are so many plants you could spend a couple of hours just picking through and exploring. Margaret was very helpful and patient in giving advice, suggesting plants and telling me which colours they will turn in autumn etc (and answering my many questions). I was after a pink-foliaged maple and she suggested an Ariadne, which I am really pleased with. I had also hoped to find a Tamukeyama, and she kindly pulled out the various specimens so I could compare their forms and pick the one I liked best. I had also been interested in a Hana Matoi. The three specimens she intially found didn't quite speak to me but later as I wandering the garden, she tracked down a few more to choose from, including one with a form and colouration I really liked. After having been disappointed after missing out another Hana Matoi in another nursery a few weeks earlier, I'm so thrilled to have found this one (that I actually like even better), so thanks Margaret. I was so impressed with the service and knowledge, and passion. I didn't have a chance to see the (non-maple) section of the nursery but I'll do that next visit - I could see this as being a place to visit every year to buy a few more special maples for the collection. This was a daytrip for my birthday and it didn't disappoint. An inspiring labour of love. I don't normally write reviews or such long ones but this is a hidden gem in the...

I’m sorry to say that I was a bit disappointed in this place.. The family that run it do an awful lot of work in their garden ,and it’s a lifelong dream of theirs. The gentleman in particular, is very pedantic about where everything goes and to have the exact dimensions of existing gardens in Japan, but I have to wonder how much that actually means to visitors. I found the place to be a little untidy, which is understandable, I guess since there’s two people practically running the whole place. There was open pipes lying everywhere. There was hoses. There was buckets , and the areas that were done and other areas that were just untidy.. My feeling is ,that if you are going to open up your place to visitors -and I noticed there were busloads of people there too - then I feel your display needs to be finished. Or tidy.. And a very big part of that is to have toilet facilities for your guests. We were told to go to the garage at the side of the house -To the back of the garage where there were two toilets. I’m sorry to say that picking your way through the absolute pile of working equipment and rubbish in the garage is NOT What I would expect from a working business. And they run it as a business. And also one of the toilets had no door, oh my god how are you supposed to use that? The other toilet was filthy and I mean absolutely disgusting . The people in front of me came out and commented on it and I couldn’t believe it would be that bad, but believe me it was.. Absolutely disgusting - leave the garden for a day and clean up your business. I’m sorry to write this and if you look at my profile you see I rarely write bad reviews but I was extremely disappointed...

Gory’u Japanese Garden – A Peaceful Japanese Escape in Australia

Walking into Gory’u Japanese Garden feels like stepping into a little piece of Japan. Everything is beautifully done with care and authenticity, creating a calm and peaceful vibe. The owners were warm and welcoming—one of them even explained the meaning behind the garden’s name and the thoughtful touches throughout, which made our visit feel more personal and memorable.

The garden is stunning. The walking path is easy and relaxing, with lovely surprises around every corner. We visited during autumn, and the colours were incredible—vibrant reds, golds, and deep maroons. It felt like we were walking through a real-life painting.

There are benches placed here and there, perfect for sitting down, taking a breath, and enjoying the peaceful surroundings. It’s clear the owners have put a lot of love and effort into this place.

The best times to go are during early autumn, spring, or summer when everything is blooming and colourful. There’s also a small nursery where you can buy plants and take a little bit of the garden home with you.

For just around $16, it’s great value and a perfect spot for nature lovers, photographers, or anyone needing a...