Something’s Growing at Bago… A New Maze Awaits!

Visitors to Bago may have noticed something happening down by the creek flat… and no, your eyes aren’t deceiving you — a new maze is on the rise!

We sat down with our Landscape Architect, Ian Mobbs, to dig into the story behind the exciting addition next to our beloved hedge maze.

Is it an extension or a brand new maze?

“It’s a brand new maze — but designed to feel like a natural continuation of the existing one,” says Ian. “We’ve built it right up against the current hedge maze and echoed the same spiral pattern. It’ll be a permanent fixture — unlike our seasonal pop-up mazes, this one is here to stay.”

Was this always part of the plan?

“Actually, yes. That creekside patch has been earmarked for something special since the beginning, over 20 years ago,” Ian explains. “I knew I wanted something interactive — not just a garden to admire, but something you could step into and get lost in.”

Why not just extend the existing maze?

“Some people take 40 minutes in the hedge maze — others solve it in 10. A second maze means we can cater to both. It creates fresh energy, a new challenge, and lets visitors choose their own adventure.”

Let’s talk plants — what’s different this time?

“This maze is made entirely from Lomandra hystrix, a native rush that naturally thrives along our creek banks,” Ian explains. “We chose it not just for its form, but for its function.”

♻️ Built to Withstand the Weather — and the Future

The new Lomandra maze isn’t just beautiful — it’s built for resilience.
The site sits on a floodplain, which meant traditional hedge plants like lilly pilly weren’t viable. “They simply wouldn’t survive the wet — the roots are too shallow and the plants too brittle when young,” Ian explains.

Lomandra, however, is native to the region. It flourishes in wet conditions, with deep, binding root systems and flexible stems that hold strong even during high rainfall and flooding.

“After the recent floods, every plant held its ground. No washouts, no replacements — just a bit of debris cleanup. That’s the kind of low-impact, sustainable gardening we aim for here.”

This thoughtful planting means less maintenance, better land care, and a maze that works with the landscape — not against it.

“Plus,” Ian adds, “Lomandra only grows to about a metre high, so you’ll be able to see over the paths. It’s a completely different feel to the hedge maze — lighter, faster, more interactive.”

What’s the goal of the new maze?

“It’s a racing maze,” Ian grins. “You’ll enter with friends, pick one of four starting paths, race to designated checkpoints, then race back. We’re even planning a digital timer so you can challenge your mates or beat your own time.”

When will it open?

“We’re being patient — the rushes need to fully thicken for the best experience. They’ve had a year in the ground and survived recent floods beautifully. Give it another year and they’ll be ready for action.”