Australia and New Zealand Mini Series Part 4: Brisbane, Queensland: Phoenix Sculpture Garden, Mount Glorious

Here at the beginning of 2020, I open my new year of blog posts with the fourth in a series of short reflections on different places in Australia and New Zealand, which I visited in November 2019. From now on I’ll be posting twice weekly on this blog: on Tuesdays and Fridays.

Phoenix Sculpture Garden may be found on Mount Glorious, a short drive up into the mountains behind Brisbane’s western suburbs.

These gardens were created through a wonderful initiative by sculptor Graham Radcliffe and his wife Margit in 1987. The gardens are reached along a narrow lane off the main road into the mountains, and they not only provide an enchanting environment to wander through in this lofty location, but also act as a showcase for Graham’s sculptures in bronze, marble and onyx.

This is truly an inspiring place to visit, interspersing the beauty of the natural surroundings, the skill and vision of landscape gardening, and the wonder of human creativity. At the highest point, as you will see in the pictures, the garden opens out onto sublime views into the far distance.

The garden also acts as a perfect setting for retreats, by special arrangement with Graham and Margit.

If you plan to visit when you’re in Brisbane, do look up Graham’s website, to discover the opening times.