BERKLEY GARDEN: Stirling in the Adelaide Hills

Next weekend, one of the Adelaide Hills most historic gardens is open to the public. Berkley Vale at Stirling was originally part of the larger Panmure estate and was established 130 years ago. The work was done by stonemasons who'd been laid off in the 1870's depression while working on the nearby Mt Lofty Railway Station.

The owner, Salvitor Wakefield offered them work here, building embankments down the steep Sturt Valley.

"I can't help myself and I do constantly find little things to put in".

"So the nurseries love you do they?"

"They do. They certainly do. I'm not safe in a nursery".

Now thanks to Berkeley Vale's owner, Penny Gosse and the early stonemasons, you can enjoy the Hills in all their splendour. Obviously money was no object for Salvitor Wakefield. This is where he stored his coach, now it's part of the Gosse family home, with stunning views to the garden below. At the very bottom of the winding valley walk is the Serpentine Garden with its original planting.

"This is sort of like the area where most of the older plants of the garden are?"

"Yes and you get to see some of the wonderful old rhododendrons which I think are called early hybrids and you can see the sort of wonderful trunks which get to be quite large".

Berkeley Vale is at 30 Sturt Valley Road at Stirling and is open next weekend. Admission is $4.20. For more information you can email info@postcards.sa.com.au