Heritage Gardens at Glen Isla House Boutique Luxury Accommodations, Cowes, Phillip Island, Australia

A Heritage Garden dating back to c1870…

The extensive gardens at Glen Isla House date back to c1870 and the original homestead at Glen Isla is one of the oldest homes on the island. Now preserved for future generations by owners Ian and Madeleine, only house-guests at Glen Isla House have exclusive access and use of these very private gardens to enjoy. The gardens are not open to the public.

Very low rainfall during 2006 resulted in the driest spring time since records have been kept. The local water authority imposed extremely stringent water use restrictions all over Phillip Island. Town supplied water cold not be used for watering of lawns and gardens at any time under the restrictions. At Glen Isla we have invested in considerable rain-water storage tanks with pressure pump systems, which have allowed us to preserve these magnificent historic gardens during the difficult Spring and Summer period 2006/2007.

The historic and original Glen Isla homestead is a heritage listed property, now fully restored and the residence of owners and hosts Ian and Madeleine. Guests wishing to stay in historical lodgings should consider the Anderson Suite Cottage (originally part of the heritage house and now a separate historic luxury guest suite/cottage)

Set in 2 acres (some 8,000 square meters), Glen Isla House offers absolute privacy. A pristine sandy beach is 100 metres from the rear-gate, for a swim in warmer months or perhaps a sunset stroll along the water’s edge.

Three 100 year-old oak trees, and five mature Norfolk Pines provide the backdrop to a magnificent garden landscape with secluded sitting areas and the purpose-built private Wine Cellar at Glen Isla. A 'magnolia grandiflora' adjacent to the Anderson Suite Cottage is estimated at around 100 years old. It flowers each year providing wonderful garden scents. Manicured lawn areas offer serene garden benches and sun-lounges for guests to switch-off from the outside world.

Breakfast on the Garden Terrace...

In warmer months, and weather permitting, guests can enjoy breakfast on the terrace with garden scents and vistas. In cooler months, breakfast is served in the dining room overlooking the gardens.

For many months of the year, the breakfast tables are adorned with fresh flowers from the Glen Isla gardens. A kitchen herb garden provides fresh herbs daily for Glen Isla's legendary chef-prepared gourmet breakfasts - served at individual tables.

Madeleine's passionfruit are also enjoyed on the daily fresh fruit platter at breakfast when they are in season....

Gardens & Outdoor Living Magazine

June 2006

"Plant People" features Madeleine and her passionfruit vines. Lisa Habermann from Gardens and Outdoor Living visited Glen Isla on her quest for interesting articles about people and their gardens. The heritage gardens at Glen Isla date back to 1870, but more recent additions include the resplendent passionfruit vine shown in the article here, and a large kitchen herb garden. The produce from both is used regularly in the Glen Isla kitchen by chefs Ian & Martin and appear on the menus! The roses from the gardens often adorn the guest rooms at Glen Isla when they are in bloom also.

Download the article in PDF here to read Madeleine's tips on Passionfruit! (warning this is a 2.3MB file!)