ROYAL BOTANIC GARDENS
- CRANBOURNE
By Frances Harris
Yesterday my son and I went to the Cranbourne Botanical Gardens, established in 1970. After checking the
GPS monitor for directions, we took the fastest and most efficient route. The
result was that we ended up behind the gardens at the depot facing a pair of
locked gates. After travelling another seven kilometres more and using some
common sense, we found the main entrance. A bit of background reading made me
realize there are a lot more features to the garden than one would think. Established
in the heart of the bushlands is the Australian
Garden, where you can find an impressive and extensive show case of Australian flora,
and fauna comes with it as a bonus. We took a pile of photos hoping to find the
right ones to place on this page. We saw a lot of beautiful birds, but they
were too fast for the cameras, teasing us every step of the way. In the past I
have seen bandicoots creep out of the bush, but they are very timid and difficult
to photograph.
This is the entrance to the gardens. Once you are through
the gates, you feel you have entered a pristine part of natural Australian
bushland. Cranbourne is to the south east of Melbourne. Entry is free.
This lovely tree
stands just outside the gates, but was too good to miss a photo.
This is one of the many
starting points visitors you can fan out onto a chosen walking track.
This is a magnificent
view from the lookout. You can see the Dandenong ranges from here.
We see the path to the lookout. It’s a great chance to burn
some calories if you are fit and keen enough.
This is rejuvenating bushland
after the fires went through.
You see one of many
different and exciting views of the Australian garden.
This is one of many paths
you can follow. There is a wide choice of bush settings to see.
It’s hard to get lost
in the garden. You can find plenty of signs to follow.
There is no shortage
of water features and interesting paths to stroll along.
Banksia is out in
bloom in June.
More beautiful
flowers people find on their meanderings.
This bush was just
coming into flower. It should be beautiful when it reaches its peak.
Finally, if you are
feeling hungry or thirsty, it’s easy to find your way back to the cafeteria.
Last stop is a well-earned rest. You can buy a drink and a
cake, or have a meal if you need one. This is the end of a beautiful day trip.
I’m sure to be back next spring when everything explodes into flower.
