Boyce Gardens is a heritage-listed garden and citrus farm located at 6 Range Street, Mount Lofty, Toowoomba, Toowoomba Region, Queensland, Australia. It was built from c. 1930 to 1950s and was added to the Queensland Heritage Register on 25 January 2001.
The property was named after Leslie and Margaret Boyce, who established the garden following their arrival in Toowoomba after their wedding in April 1930. The six hectares of land was located in an area that was, at the time, the north-eastern outskirts of Toowoomba. The land that Margaret had bought comprised a spur of eucalyptus woodland running south from Mt Lofty on its northern border, a section of natural rainforest and a run-down dairy farm, including one cultivated paddock. Portion 601 formed part of an area which was originally covered by a dense forest of Eucalypts and Scrub Box trees. The Eucalyptus forest originally covered most of the area on which Toowoomba stands. In the 19th century, the rainforest area was known as the Fairy Glen Scrub.
The house was constructed on higher ground on the side of Tick Hill (now known as Mt Lofty), looking east down towards what was then around four acres of scrub. The house was built and the Boyces moved in after their wedding on 29 April 1930. They lived and gardened on their property for the rest of their lives, and after their deaths (Margaret in 1984 and Leslie in 1988) their ashes were scattered in the garden.
The garden is a significant example of a private garden developed in the interwar period in Queensland. It is also significant for its association with Leslie and Margaret Boyce, who were prominent members of the Toowoomba community and who made a significant contribution to the development of horticulture in the region.
Boyce Gardens is a unique and beautiful place to visit, with its rich history and stunning gardens. It is a must-visit destination for anyone interested in horticulture or history.
