The Royal Botanic Gardens
Cranbourne - Aussie Style
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Entry Is NOW FREE For Visitors.
The Royal Botanic Gardens Cranbourne is pleased to announce that as of 7 July 2011, entry to the Australian Garden is now FREE for all visitors.The permanent removal of entry fees to the Australian Garden has been made possible through increased annual funding from the Victorian Government and will allow more people than ever to experience the sights and sounds of the Australian Garden. Viewing Australia's indigenous flora at the Botanic Gardens Cranbourne is an experience that the whole family can enjoy. Valuable, entertaining and educational and a great, different family getaway
At the Royal Botanic Gardens Cranbourne you can learn what native plants grow best and where to grow them. How to sustain their growth and how to preserve our most precious resource waterPlease note: Throughout this page you will happen across some great photos that were taken by Stephen Curle. If you would like to view more of Steve's great work just click on the link below.
Steve's Site
Courtesy of Steve Curle
Visiting the Gardens can be a full days experience with wonderful nature walks, enjoying picnics in secluded spots and the use of free BBQ facilities surrounded by a wonderland of unique Australian flora and Australian wildlife.
Courtesy of Steve Curle
Courtesy of Steve Curle
Or you can take a short stroll through the awesome display of Australia's native plants in the more formal planted gardens.When most people think of the word "Botanic" or "Botanical" they probably conger up pictures of sweeping, well manicured lawns and tranquil lake settings.....The Royal Botanic Gardens at Cranbourne are very different.
Pause for a moment and picture this..... Rugged and Rustic Bushland
Harsh red Desert Sands
Dried up River Beds
A magic and majestic Oasis
Billabong Wetlands
Walking tracks through thick natural Eucalypt Bushland
Courtesy of Steve Curle
At The Royal Botanic Gardens Cranbourne there is an amazing, unique and award winning garden exhibit.
The Australian Garden
The Garden is divided into several specialized garden areas # The Red Sand Garden
This Garden features vibrant red sand, circles of saltbush and shapes that typify the central regions of Australia. Seasonal shows of wildflowers bring a special excitement to this area.
# The Rock Pool and Escarpment Wall
Courtesy of Steve CurleThis area has been inspired by places like Uluru and Kings Canyon. The plantings are typical of those found in and around these types of waterways. The Escarpment Wall Sculpture is over 100 meters in length!
Uluru-Central Australia
# The Arid GardenHere we are in the desert Area with a feeling of vast open spaces, dry creek beds and sparse vegetation. Discover here at the Royal Botanic Gardens Cranbourne, very unique native plants that have evolved to counter the effects of the "Drought and Flooding Rains"
Black Gins (Boys)
# The Eucalypt walkIn this Garden you will find young, immature examples of.... *Ironbark *Boxwood *Peppermint *Stringybark
There are also Exhibition Gardens here at the Royal Botanic Gardens Cranbourne that are changing all the time, generally the themes on show are to deal with....
# Water Conservation Garden
# The Children's Backyard Garden
This Garden shows the use of natural plant materials that have been recycled into a children's play area--an alternative to "Plastic" There is also # The Garden of the Future and # The Home Garden showing the visitor the plants that local nurseries around the suburbs are offering
Drop into the modern Visitor's Center for lots of informative literature, the service desk staff are very helpful and ever so friendly.
Visitor's Center
Below the Center in the Undercroft you can experience the glorious and breathtaking beauty of The Australian Orchid Collection.
Donkey Orchid Gnangarra
Dendrobium Bigibbum
For that unique gift with a real authentic Australian theme, visit the Gift Shop at the Botanic Gardens, it is crammed full of some beautiful crafts and lots of souvenirs.....then, when you feel like a break....enjoy a "cuppa" or a "vino" and a bite to eat at the Licensed Cafe overlooking the Australian Garden.
The Royal Botanic Gardens Cranbourne are open from 9:00am to 5:00pm everyday except Christmas day. The bushland area is free to the Public and there is a small fee to vsit the Australian Garden. There is free entry for children under 16...Wow! For a detail of the actual areas within the Gardens click onto the link below...this is also recommended as there are often "Special" times to visit the gardens. Check out the School Holiday Programs.
Royal Botanic Gardens Cranbourne
For a full day's experience at the Royal Botanic Gardens Cranbourne....You can begin by entering the main entrance and turn left down Stringybark drive, have yourself a picnic at the Stringybark Picnic Spot, then walk through the Native Forest, past the wetlands and swamp areas. Make your way to the Visitor's Center and then explore The Australian Garden. Head back to your car through more bushland and if you are lucky you may come across some of Australia's unique wildlife.
Echidna
For a shorter experience....Drive directly to the car park at the Botanic Gardens and park under the unique Paperbark trees.
Stroll up to the Visitor's Center and from there really start to have some great family fun...
For directions on how to find the Royal Botanic Gardens Cranbourne just click onto the Link here.
How to find the Gardens
The drive from Melbourne City should take around 45 minutes along the South Gippsland Hwy. What more can I say other than....thoroughly enjoy yourselves at the Royal Botanic Gardens Cranbourne!
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