FROM WATER TO WINE 2025
GOOD FRIDAY
April 18 • Midday To 5pm
JOIN US ON GOOD FRIDAY FOR THE MORNINGTON PENINSULA'S HARVEST FROM ITS BAYS & VINES
SEAFOOD &
BOUTIQUE WINES
MUSIC
KID'S EASTER EGG HUNT
Ashcombe Maze & Gardens
13-15 SHOREHAM ROAD SHOREHAM
Featuring: The Flying Calamari Brothers • Lady Paella • Flinders Mussels
Special Event: Experience the best of Mornington Peninsula's local produce, wines, and seafood in the stunning setting of Ashcombe Maze & Gardens. Perfect for families with children's activities including an Easter Egg Hunt!
About Ashcombe Maze & Lavender Gardens
Ashcombe Maze & Lavender Gardens is the perfect venue for the "From Water to Wine" event, offering Australia's oldest and most famous hedge maze nestled within 25 acres of world-acclaimed gardens on the beautiful Mornington Peninsula. The stunning natural backdrop provides an ideal setting for enjoying local seafood, wines, and entertainment.
This renowned destination features traditional hedge mazes planted with over 1,000 cypress trees, standing proudly at more than three metres high. The expansive property also showcases the year-round flowering Lavender Labyrinth with over 4,000 lavender plants and diverse botanical collections that provide a feast for the senses.
With its rolling hills, scenic views, and established gardens, Ashcombe creates a naturally beautiful environment for special events. The venue combines natural beauty with excellent facilities, making it ideal for enjoying the peninsula's finest produce and wines in a relaxed garden setting.
Ashcombe Maze History
The land supporting Ashcombe Maze began as one of the Mornington Peninsula's original cattle and sheep properties. The Burston family, who owned the property for generations, planted the oldest remaining cypress trees over 100 years ago as windbreaks. They also established the majestic Lombardy poplars more than 60 years ago and created parts of the original garden.
During the 1970s, new owners John and Sally Daly transformed the property by:
- Establishing acres of Australian native plant gardens
- Building the original Maze Café using mud bricks from Lake Ashcombe clay
- Using over ten thousand tons of granite rock from the local Arthurs Seat Quarry for landscaping
- Creating a flowing stream through the property
- Laying foundations for the hedge maze in the late 1970s
When the Bortoli Family became Maze Keepers in the late 1990s, they opened the extended gardens to the public, creating the stunning Lavender Labyrinth and display gardens. They also converted the Gardeners tool shed into the charming "Cypress Cottage" Gift Shop using trees grown on the property, and remodeled the Centre garden to include its now-famous fountain.
Who Owns Ashcombe Maze Today
Today, Ashcombe Maze & Lavender Gardens continues under private ownership dedicated to preserving and enhancing this iconic Mornington Peninsula attraction. The current management team maintains the meticulous standards established by previous custodians while introducing innovative events like "From Water to Wine" that showcase local produce and wines alongside the maze's natural beauty.
The Magnificent Hedge Maze
Planted over 40 years ago, Ashcombe's visually stunning hedge maze now stands impressively at over 3 metres high and 2 metres thick. Comprised of more than 1,000 "Cupresses macrocarpa" plants, the maze presents a lush, evergreen texture that captivates visitors year-round.
Originally planted at 1-metre intervals, the hedges grow a little larger each year, making the paths increasingly narrower and more challenging! Some sections have become so narrow that wheelchairs and prams cannot navigate through them.
One of the most fascinating features is the maze's organic maintenance approach – no string lines or straight edges are used in trimming. This creates a naturally flowing aesthetic throughout the maze. Regular trimming ensures the juvenile lime green soft foliage of the cypress remains vibrant all year.
Did you know? The Mazekeeper and gardening team trim the hedge 3-4 times yearly using electric hedge trimmers, ladders, and stilts! Each maintenance session takes about a month to complete, with trimmings carefully removed by wheelbarrow through the maze pathways.
For visitors, the challenge involves finding four mosaic flags hidden throughout the two halves of the maze. This adventure takes explorers through hundreds of metres of winding paths in the South Maze through to the Centre Garden before tackling the North Maze. While not overly complex, navigation does require time and patience!
What makes Ashcombe Maze particularly interesting is that each half features a completely different layout – any strategies developed in the first section won't help in the second!
Lavender Labyrinth
The breathtaking Lavender Labyrinth spans a 3,000 square metre garden development on the rolling hillside overlooking the picturesque Ashcombe Arboretum. With over 4,000 lavender plants creating winding paths leading to an elevated viewing platform, this fragrant attraction delights visitors year-round.
Through careful plant selection and thoughtful garden design, Ashcombe features lavender in bloom twelve months of the year with more than 40 named varieties, including:
Popular blue & mauve varieties
Lesser-known pink varieties
Rare white varieties
Unique green varieties
While exploring the Lavender Labyrinth, visitors should look for remarkable specimens including:
- The ancient weeping cedar
- Japanese Princess Tree (Paulownia) with delicate pale pink flowers
- Three types of Tulip Tree (which can take up to 25 years to begin flowering)
- Giant American Redwoods (still centuries from reaching full height)
- Coral Maple (Acer sango kaku 'Sengkaki') with stems that turn intense red during winter
Woodland Gardens & Seasonal Beauty
Ashcombe Maze is home to acres of magnificent Woodland Gardens featuring numerous captivating areas:
The Orchard
The Pot Garden
The Rock Garden
The Summer Garden
The Scented Garden
The Herb Barrels
The Small Woodland
The Lower Woodland
Experience Nature's Seasonal Symphony
Autumn Wonder
The woodlands transform with vibrant color as maples turn red, claret ash displays burgundy hues, and poplars glow yellow. Elms, oaks, and pears create a magnificent carpet of leaves across the landscape. Insider tip: cooler nights create more vibrant leaf coloring!
❄️ Winter Magic
Winter-flowering Hellebores (Winter Rose), Camellias, and Rhododendrons add crimson and pink splashes throughout the gardens. Late winter brings over 2 million Bluebells emerging beneath bare woodland trees while Italian Lavender buds burst into bloom. Australian Native Happy Wanderer creepers display bright purple and white flowers, attracting nectar-feeding birds to the Banksias.
Spring Renewal
Buds burst on all deciduous trees while fragrant jonquils appear along Ashcombe Way. Apple trees (crab apples, maypole apples, and traditional varieties) blossom alongside ornamental cherries and pears. Australian Wattles spread their golden pollen as everything awakens with the spring sunshine.
☀️ Summer Splendor
The architectural Acanthus in the Summer Garden raises 2-metre high flower spires while water lilies bask in the sunlight of the lily pond. English lavenders and Lavandins reach their peak fragrance and beauty during these warmer months.
Regular Admission Information
Ashcombe Maze Price Information
Adults: $20.00
Seniors/Health Care Card: $17.00
Children (4-15 years): $12.50
Children (0-3 years): FREE
Family (2A + 2C): $59.00
Family (2A + 3C): $69.00
Family (2A + 4C): $79.00
Group Discounts: Available for 10+ adults with confirmed booking
✅ Entry includes:
- Access to all mazes and gardens
- Map of the gardens
- The Great Gnome Hunt & Woodland Fairy Walk activity sheets
Please allow 1 – 1.5 hours for your visit
⚠️ Please note: Our hedge maze is over 40 years old. Some sections are a tight squeeze and may not accommodate prams & wheelchairs. The Lavender Labyrinth offers wider pathways for easier access. Please contact our friendly staff with any questions.
Unfortunately, we do not allow dogs.
️ Ashcombe Maze Map and Navigation
Navigate Ashcombe Maze with ease using our complimentary visitor map provided upon entry. The property features clearly marked pathways connecting all gardens and attractions including:
- The North and South Hedge Mazes
- Lavender Labyrinth with viewing platform
- All Woodland Gardens and specialty areas
- Café and gift shop facilities
- Accessible pathways (outside the hedge maze)
For navigation to Ashcombe Maze, we're conveniently located at 15 Shoreham Road, Shoreham, approximately one hour's drive from Melbourne via the Mornington Peninsula Freeway. Look for the clearly marked entrance with ample parking available for visitors.
Visit Us
Location
Ashcombe Maze
15 Shoreham Rd
Shoreham, VIC 3916
Melway Ref: 256 E4
Phone: 03 5989 8387
Ashcombe Maze Opening Times & Hours
Thursday-Monday: 10am-5pm
(Last maze admission at 4pm)
Fridays: 10am – 8pm
with the Flying Calamari Brothers in the kitchen from 4pm-8pm
All Public Holidays: 10am-5pm
(Closed Christmas Day)
No bookings required! Purchase admission tickets at the door.
️ Ashcombe Maze Café
The Flying Calamari Brothers operate the charming on-site café at Ashcombe Maze, offering delicious refreshments and meals for visitors. During regular opening hours, the café serves light meals, coffee, and treats. On Fridays, enjoy extended hours with the Flying Calamari Brothers in the kitchen from 4pm-8pm serving their specialty seafood dishes.
For the "From Water to Wine" Good Friday event, the café will feature special menu items highlighting local seafood including the Flying Calamari Brothers' signature dishes, Lady Paella's authentic Spanish paella, and fresh Flinders Mussels.
️ Ashcombe Maze & Lavender Gardens Photos
