The cliff top garden belonging to Reg and Elaine Smith overlooks the bay at Mount Eliza. The history of Earimil began when a Welsh sea captain, Edward Lintot bought the land on the peninsula in the mid-1800s.
The Smiths acquired the 2.5 acre property in 1977 and have since transformed it into a landscaped wonderland. A Japanese bridge complete with waterfall running the length of the property was designed by Reg. Elaine has created a mixture of plants providing colour all year, dotted with whimsical and serious garden ornaments and statues. The maintenance of the garden is substantial but Elaine does 90% of it herself and is hoping that now Reg is retired he will be able to help with her obsession. Another feature in the garden is the swimming pool which has a diving board that was originally used at the Melbourne Olympics in 1956.
Earimil, 33a Koornalla Crescent, Mt Eliza, VIC, 3930, phone: (03) 9787 1045. The garden is open on Saturday and Sunday 14-15 November 1998 from 10am-4.30pm and the money raised will go to Challenge: A Cancer Support Network for kids and families living with cancer. Entry costs $5 for adults, children are free.