Everglades Historic House and Gardens
Everglades House & Gardens, Blue Mountains
Everglades Historic House and Gardens, Leura, Blue Mountains: In 1932 a Belgian-born industrialist Henri Van de Velde purchased a section of overgrown orchard and bus in Leura with fabulous views over the Jamison Valley. The following year he commissioned the Danish-born landscape designer Paul Sorensen to create a garden at his proposed weekender.
Van de Velde’s money from Feltex carpets and other wool goods and his passion for his Everglades project combined with Sorensen’s design genius and skills.
Depression labour was on hand to mover thousands of tons of earth and rock, and build miles of curvaceous stone walls and paths that are a Sorensen signature.
Over four years, the two Euro-Australians and a small army of local artisans and labourers, many also born in Europe, created a terraced paradise that would become a landmark in garden design, uniting romantic European elements, modernism and the raw magic of the Australian bush. A series of formal and informal gardens were stepped down the hillside, each with its points of interest and excitement.
Exotic plants and tress form Europe, America and Asia were integrated with native flora and spectacular vistas. The moderne-style house was built in 1935 to 1936.
Sorensen worked on Everglades until Van de Velde’s death in 1947 and the subsequent sale of the property. The National Trust acquired it in 1962, assisted by a donation from former owner Mick Swain.
Sorensen was contracted to supervise restorations and remained involved until 1970.
In 1996 after years of leasing out the Everglades, the Trust took it back and major renovations were undertaken. Today, with the dedication of minimal staff and small army of local volunteers, they are once again magnificent. Visit Everglades Historic House and Gardens as part of any private Blue Mountains Bus Tour from Sydney or a full day outing to Leura.
Everglades Tea Rooms
Operation Hours
Open daily 10am – 5pm
(commences first Saturday in October)
Autumn & Winter
Open daily 10am – 4pm
Closed Christmas Day and Boxing Day
Guided Tours
Guided Tour – per guide – $25.00
FAQ's
A. No, we only provide bus services as booked
Q. Can we join a group already booked?
A. No, we are a private group tour and charter company and dedicate the bus or coach to you and your group.
Q. What is the minimum passenger number you can take?
A. As the smallest legal bus is a 12 seater then we have to use this size bus so we can take passenger numbers from 2 to 12 but the cost is based on the vehicle size not per-person so it would be the same cost if there was 2 passengers or 12 passengers so it is best to get a group together to minimise the shared cost per person.
Historic House and Gardens
- 13 Acres of European-style gardens
- Australian Native Bushland
- Stunning Views
- Terraced Lawns
- Winding Paths
- Stone Walls
- Reflection Pools
- Glades
- Historic 1930's House
- Cafe
- Gift Shop
Entry Fee
Adult $13
Concession $8
Children $4
Picnic Tables
Bus & Coach Tours
Group Prices
Garden Entry (Groups of 15+) – $8.00 p/p
Guided Tour (Optional) – per guide – $25.00