Irene’s comfortable home is created from a disused tank decorated with mosaics surrounded by a creative and quirky garden.

This charming and unique home of talented sculptor and artist Irene Pearce has delighted and inspired thousands of visitors over many years. Once the storage tank for the water supply to the surrounding town, Irene bought the property in 1998 and, with great vision, added several smaller tanks, transforming them into a quirky and comfortable home. Over time, she has decorated both inside and outside with intricate mosaics and creative artwork made chiefly from recycled objects.

Although tiny, the bright, colourful garden is wrapped closely around the tanks and is crammed with clever ideas, surprises and whimsy.  A pretty pink rose clambers over the arbour at the entrance, and cottage perennials, self-seeding annuals, Australian native plants and succulents, many planted in vibrant, innovative containers, fill every available space.

The site slopes, so there are steps, winding paths, and retaining walls often inset with mosaic and adapted to double as seats. The driveway and much of the exterior of the home have also been decorated—one wall is draped with a permanently flowering white mosaic wisteria, and there are many flowers, magpies, teapots and much more!

A curving sculpture of a dragon forms another enchanting seat, and pots, statues, vividly tiled birdbaths, artwork and ‘found treasure’ dotted everywhere add extra colour and interest. Irene’s ingenuity knows no bounds with both the materials and the imaginative way she uses them, and each year, she adds new pieces to her joyful garden.

This will be the 21st year Tickle Tank has opened to the public. This pretty, creative and quirky garden has been enjoyed by many thousands of visitors and has raised much-appreciated funds for charity over the years. Sincere thanks to garden owner Irene for this remarkable achievement, for her long association with Open Gardens and for her commitment to sharing her garden so many times.

Tickle Tank is a happy, magical place jam-packed with creativity!