The Landscape
MONA Country Manor House’ s 120 acres have been developed following the principles of English Landscape Designer Capability Brown. “Brown’s forte was the ‘middle distance landscape garden: scenes of sweeping turf accentuated by groups of noble trees casting long shadows, contours sloping to glimpses of a broad winding river and rising beyond to melt into the skyline of encircling woodlands”. (Capability Brown. Dorothy Stroud. Country Life Limited London WC2.)
Posted Sun, 09/08/2009 - 3:31pm
It took Greg six weeks of early mornings to achieve this photo, with no cloud and no wind. The Mona bridge is a major feature of the property. It was completed in 1997 permitting all weather crossings of the Mona Creek, and ready access to the Mona Function Centre where weddings, conferences, concerts and special celebrations are held. It is a Palladian design and originated in the Venuto region of Italy where Palladio lived. A similar bridge exits at Stourhead in England, and also the Richmond bridge in Tasmania.
Posted Tue, 22/09/2009 - 5:02pm
Posted Sun, 09/08/2009 - 3:29pm
Kerry had always wanted a swooping eagle for this granite rock in the paddock beside the forest. On a trip to the Hunter Valley, she saw this eagle in the parking area of Toby Evans antique gallery. It was "just the ticket". Two forged iron swooping eagles were imported from China. One resides at Mona Country Manor House. The other was purchased by Wolf Blass.
Posted Sun, 09/08/2009 - 3:17pm
Part of the beauty of the landsacpe at Mona Country Manor House are the picturesque rural views in all directions. Although just on the outskirts of Braidwood, the property is well screened from the township. Rural vistas predominate. Here Mt Gillamatong to the west of Mona Country Manor House. To the east one can see all the way to Mt Budawang in the Budawang National Park which is bewteen Braidwood and the south coast of New South Wales.
Posted Wed, 29/07/2009 - 4:13pm
The forest was planted in 2001. The leylandii trees were in shot pots. Each tree was carefully nurtured over the next two years, watered, fed and weeded by he devoted gardening staff at Mona Country Manor House. The trees have now grown into a forest. Oval in shape, the circumference is 800 meters and makes a great riding track. In the centre is a clearing with a large granite rock. Granite outcrops and rocks are typical of the region. The inside, quiet and mysterious, is a favourite picnic spot.
