Como Gardens, The Basin, opens for the final time this weekend

AFTER two decades and tens of thousands of visitors, Como Gardens in The Basin is opening for the final time this weekend, as owners Pat and George Hetrel call it a day.

Como Gardens owners Pat and George Hetrel at their 15 acre property in The Basin. Picture: Steve Tanner

AFTER two decades and tens of thousands of visitors, Como Gardens is opening for the final time.

Owners Pat and George Hetrel have attracted a huge following for their twice-yearly events and raised more than $500,000 over the years for St John Ambulance, the Knox State Emergency Service and The Basin CFA brigade.

The Basin’s Como Gardens holds open weekend

People can take in the 6ha property in The Basin this weekend, including the grand gardens, miniature steam train and vintage car collection.

Pat Hetrel says the last open weekend at Como Gardens will be “very emotional”. Picture: Steve Tanner

With the milestone 20th anniversary, Pat Hetrel said it was a good time to end.

“We’ve been doing it for 20 years and we’re a bit tired,” she said.

“Apart from that I’m a bit old.”

For their farewell send-off, Mrs Hetrel said there were plenty of special additions, including bands, children’s activities, a Japanese flower-arranging workshop and a chef cooking sushi.

The Consul General of Japan, Kazuyoshi Matsunaga, and his wife Yoko will attend the event.

Mrs Hetrel said it had been a long journey getting the property to where it was now, and they had a lot of fun showcasing it.

“It will be a very emotional weekend,” she said.

“A lot of people come back all the time.

“Now I’m going to actually stop and smell some of the flowers.”

The event is on from 10am to 4.30pm on Saturday and Sunday, at 79 Basin-Olinda Rd, The Basin.

Entry is $10, children under 14 are free.

Details: comogardens.com.au