Ballarat Botanical Gardens

Ballarat Botanical Gardens’ historically significant lakeside gardens were designed and planted in the 1860s and now feature magnificent mature trees, statues and constantly changing plantings and glasshouse displays.

Begonias are a focus and the festival is in March. Features include the Ex Prisoner of War Memorial, Avenue of Prime Ministers and Tramways Museum. A range of events are staged throughout the year.

The Friends of the Ballarat Botanical Gardens provide numerous services to visitors, especially on weekends. Their Ambassadors give advice and information, and their Guides run tours.

Illustrated pamphlets are available in the Glasshouse. Visitors can purchase plants at the trolley or nursery and publications at the George Longley Building. The Group also stages exhibitions, events and run Botanikids programs.

Due to current health advice on social distancing, please contact the business for the most up to date information regarding opening times and services.

Facts

Address: 114 Gillies Street North, Lake Wendouree, Victoria, 3350

Official Website: https://www.fbbg.org.au/
Cost: Free entry

Open Hours: 7:30am–6pm

Wiki

The Ballarat Botanical Gardens Reserve, located on the western shore of picturesque Lake Wendouree, in Ballarat, Victoria, Australia, covers an area of 40 hectares which is divided into three distinct zones. The central Botanical Gardens reserve in the ‘gardenesque’ style of the Victorian pleasure garden. On either side there are open parkland buffers known as the North and South Gardens. The Gardens celebrated its sesquicentenary (150 years old) in 2007.

Features

The gardens feature a large modern conservatory, returned Ex-POW war memorial, and the heritage statuary pavilion. The Stoddart Statue collection consists of 12 white marble figures from Italy donated by Thomas Stoddart in 1884. The 12 statues were figures from classical mythology: Spring, Summer, Autumn, Winter, Hercules, Pomona, Bacchante, Hebe, Flora Farnese, Leda, Mercury and Flora. They were badly damaged by vandals in 2002 and were placed in the statuary pavilion after repair. The statues were returned to their original 1884 pedestals in March 2010.

A collection of bronze busts of all Australian Prime Ministers named Prime Ministers Avenue is set within Horse Chestnut Avenue. One of the founding fathers of Federation was Alfred Deakin who was the first Federal Member for Ballarat and the second Prime Minister. The first 12 busts were donated by Richard Crouch who also left a bequest to add further busts.

The South Gardens has Australia’s Ex Prisoner of War Memorial, opened on 6 February 2004. Designed by Ballarat artist Peter Blizzard, the 130-metre long granite wall has the names of 35,000 Australian Prisoners of War etched into it.

Map Location