Five Botanic Gardens to explore this weekend
Every long drive deserves a good walk, and there’s nothing like the peace and tranquility of a nice botanical garden to soothe the nerves.Australia’s English heritage led to almost every 19th century town and city following the Victorian obsession for living displays of interesting plants and trees from around the world. More recently, it’s Australian native flora that’s been the focus. Whatever gardening you’re into, you’ll find some great ideas at these botanic displays.
Mount Lofty Botanic Garden, South Australia
Adelaide may get warm in summer, but up in the Adelaide Hills you’ll find the Mount Lofty Botanic Garden where the more moderate temperatures are perfect for cool-climate plants. Pack the walking shoes because with 97 hectares to explore there’s plenty to do. Roses, magnolias, tree ferns and rhododendrons all have their own gullies, as do exotics from South America and Asia. Fit lunch in at a nearby winery, and your day is perfect.
Cairns Botanic Gardens, Queensland
So you’ve picked up the rental car from Cairns airport and are ready to hit the many beaches, resorts and tourist attractions Far North Queensland has to offer. But wait, just a few kilometres down the road are the stunning Cairns Botanic Gardens with hectares of tropical plants and trees and heaps to do for the family. Book the under-fives into a Little Taccas gardening program, enjoy a guided bird walk or just stroll the paths and greenhouses to see some amazing plants you won’t find down south.
Australian Inland Botanic Gardens, Buronga, NSW
The Murray riverland around Mildura is an agricultural (and cultural) oasis but it’s also on the edge of semi-arid inland Australia. On the NSW side of the Murray you’ll find the Inland Botanic Gardens, a huge site dedicated to dry area and desert plants, but also exotic species including spectacular roses. Australian plants are organized by geographical location, and others by country of origin. There’s a café, local birds flock to the foliage, plus the peace and quiet of the desert enfolds the botanic enthusiast with its serenity.
Ballarat Botanical Gardens, Victoria
Ballarat has possibly the most famous botanic gardens in Australia outside of capital cities. Home to the annual Begonia Festival and strung out over 40 hectares along the western shores of Lake Wendouree, there are green lawns, vibrant flower beds and some amazing established trees as befitting the gardens’ 160-year history. As well as giant Sequoia Redwoods and Golden Elms, there are classical sculptures as well as the Prime Ministers’ walk with busts of our former fearless leaders.
Australian National Botanic Gardens, ACT
Canberra is always great to visit, even if you don’t have a living away from home allowance. One national treasure located in the nation’s capital is the ANBG, which while a scientific collection of Australian flora, is open to the public for a look around. Book in for one of the tours, tick-off the checklist of native birds, marvel at the range of eucalypts (or any of 6200 native species there) and make the most of this leafy part of Canberra.
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