Friday, September 12, 2008

The Australian Garden, Cranbourne, Victoria

A visit to The Australian Garden at Cranbourne, Victoria, is a day well spent. These gardens were established in 1970 for the purpose of conservation, research, display and enjoyment of Australian native plants, and first opened to the public in 1989.


Untouched healthy woodland and wetland covers two-thirds of the 363-hectare site, providing visitors with the surprising opportunity to explore pristine environments within an hour's drive from Melbourne. Eleven hectares of gardens containing over 100,000 plants, all native, ranging from delicate orchids to towering eucalypts, delight the visitor at every turn, with another 10 hectares to be developed. Various gardens feature the diversity of Australian flora that has evolved to cope with the climatic variations this ancient island continent offers.


The Trig Point Lookout gives 360ยบ views across south-eastern Victoria including Westernport and Port Phillip Bays, Mount Macedon and the Melbourne CBD.


A delicious lunch of afternoon tea in the restaurant is the perfect way to complement your day in these ever-changing and surprising gardens. I say 'surprising' because, if you thought like I did for many years that Australian native plants were dull and boring, these gardens will prove that nothing could be further from the truth. Added to their beauty is their hardiness and resiliance in our harsh climatic conditions.


(Please click on the photos to enlarge for a closer look as some of these beautiful plants.)



The Red Garden represents Australia's 'red centre'


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3 comments:

  1. Anonymous10:03 pm AEST

    Wow!
    The red garden brings back memories of when I travelled with my Grandparents from Melbourne to Perth when I was a child. I recall so many of those plants... especially the 'black boys'.
    Wonderful photos.
    xox Nicole
    ps. thanks for your message, it meant alot xox

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  2. Kerri11:40 pm AEST

    You certainly find some interesting gardens to visit. What a fascinating place, and a great representation of Australia's natural landscape.
    I especially love the photo with the large rocks lining the path and the wattle trees in the background.
    Miss the wattle.....
    Thanks for sharing your adventures Ms. Alice (in wonderland) :)
    (were you there with The Mad Hatter? LOL)

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  3. Barbara3:24 am AEST

    What an interesting place you visited, dear Alice! And it seems, as if you had the whole park for you alone to enjoy and study. Did the different places have further informations on plants and landscape?

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