A Healing Garden Is Opening at Melbourne's Heide Museum of Modern Art This Year

The Heide Museum of Modern Art is one of Melbourne's most significant cultural institutions, with a history that dates back to 1934 and an exhibition program that often plays host to some of the biggest names in Australian art.

Boasting 16 stunning acres in Bulleen, it's usually a prime spot for laidback weekend adventures. The gallery is, in-line with current COVID-19 restrictions, closed to the public until at least June 30, but when you visit later in 2020 expect to find a new multi-sensory exhibition: a Healing Garden.

Designed by architecture studio Openwork, it's inspired by Heide founder Sunday Reed's passion for plants. While it's not promising to cure any of you ailments, the circular garden is hoping to be a place that'll "improve people's wellbeing and restore a sense of equilibrium". Kind of like The Secret Garden, but in 2020 Melbourne.

Sandwiched between Reed's existing heritage-listed kitchen garden and the Heide cottage, the new Healing Garden will be split into six different 'mini exhibits'. When you first enter, you'll be greeted by a cacophony of aromas from the Scented Entries section, which will feature some of Reed's original roses. Then, you'll move through two edible gardens: a Sensory Kitchen Garden and a Bush Tucker Garden. Here, you'll be able to touch, smell and even eat some of the plants.

Elsewhere in the maze-like area, you'll find a Haptic Play Garden with a water feature; The Meadow, which is promising to be "rambunctious" and "immersive"; and the climbing rose-filled Wild Garden. Dotted throughout, there'll be limestone seating and nooks where you can sit and socialise (distantly, most likely).

When you visit Heide in the hopefully not-too-distant future — with the museum set to reopen on June 30 — you'll also be able to browse the architecturally stunning galleries, explore the mid-century Heide house and cruise through the sculpture park while moseying among the lush green grounds.

The Healing Garden is slated to open at the Heide Museum in late 2020. The museum is set to reopen on June 30.

Images: Design render of Heide Museum of Modern Art's Healing Garden courtesy Openwork.