Darrell Crilleys garden is a two-acre subtropical garden that draws influence from Balinese gardens and includes a Japanese inspired garden, complete with yin and yang symbols and a miniature waterfall. 

His mantra of “plant and pray” has seen him transform a former horse paddock that only contained a single macadamia tree, into an impressive display of different garden styles and good old Australian wildlife. 

Mr Crilley credits a trip to Bali as the spark that inspired him to transform his garden and use some of the Balinese styles to create a masterpiece. He started with more common plants but has slowly incorporated a multitude of colours and plant species on display including Bougainvilleas, Bonsai, Orchids and Hibiscus among others.  

A relatively new addition is the Japanese garden. After a trip to Japan, he was impressed with their use of limited space and he has sought to emulate this in his own plot. 

A veggie patch with “every fruit known to man, except avocado” completes the display. 

While visitors are enjoying the sights, sounds and smells, the Gladstone SES will be holding a sausage sizzle on the elevated two-acre plot that allows a clear line of sight of Glenrock to the east and the Great Dividing Range to the west. 

A bonus to the display is the host of wildlife that call the garden home, including frogs, which live in strategically placed frog homes among the plants, and the many bird species that are attracted to the paradise. 

When asked if he likes to sit among his creation on days off, his reply was 

“There is always a bit of work to do, no rest for the wicked.” 

Darrell's garden located at 72 Griffins Lane will be on display as part of the Garden Rambles on October 13 and 14, in what is shaping up to be an impressive display of Macleay gardens. 

The cost is $5 to enter one garden and $25 for all seven, with the proceeds donated to PCYC Kempsey, the Kempsey Hospital Auxillary and F.A.W.N.A.