A Coffee with Travis McCarty – Tahbilk’s 19th Head Gardener

Digging deep into legacy, native species, and the sweet side of team spirit.

We recently sat down on the deck of the Tahbilk Estate Restaurant with our very own Travis McCarty, coffee in hand and spring blooms all around, to chat about what it means to care for this historic property. As our 19th Head Gardener, Travis brings a unique mix of experience, vision, and heart to the Estate.

“I live on the property now, which really lets me connect with the land,” Travis shares. “And as a certified horticulturist, I love learning something new every day. There’s always a plant I haven’t met yet!”

Travis’s passion for plants goes well beyond the garden beds. He’s leading a thoughtful succession plan with Alister and Rosa Purbrick, reintroducing heritage varieties and championing Indigenous species like the striking Queensland Bottle Tree (Brachychiton rupestris), now flourishing in the restaurant gardens.

He’s also helped plant an Indigenous pine in memory of John Purbrick, a living tribute to Tahbilk’s past and future, and continues to learn from iconic species like the towering Bunya Bunya tree (Araucaria bidwillii) near the Homestead.

When he’s not digging, planting, or researching, Travis is:

• a proud dad of five daughters
• a committed community fundraiser
• the Estate’s Santa Claus and Easter Bunny
• and a massive fan of Doughnut Day — yes, he brings a box for the whole team!

“There’s something about sharing doughnuts with the crew — it brings everyone together. It’s simple, but it means a lot.”

From ANZAC Day displays in the Len Evans Museum to early morning misty walks through the vines, Travis finds joy in both the big projects and the quiet, personal moments.