Some of the multitudes of native flowers at Maranoa
If you've ever considered creating a native garden at home, want to learn more about Australian plants or just feel like relaxing in a garden,
Maranoa Gardens are well worth a visit.
Located at the end of Parring Road, in Balwyn, in the eastern suburbs of Melbourne, these gardens are free to enter and open seven days a week.
For anyone considering setting up a native garden at home or in pots on a balcony, Maranoa is a useful place to visit to get ideas. The gardens are also set up to minimise the use of water and chemicals and it's interesting to see how good this kind of garden can look. They also offer free
guided walks in Spring.
The gardens were established in 1926 and have a huge range of native plants arranged in various zones. Following winding paths, you can wander through an Australian style cottage garden, full of colourful, long-flowering plants.
Flowers in the cottage style garden
Turning the corner, you can then walk through an area of shady rainforest.
There's also an arid zone, full of mass wildflower displays in season. The paths are firm and suitable for wheelchairs and prams.
In the arid garden
Throughout the gardens, there are benches and areas of lawn suitable for picnics.
Plenty of lawns in Maranoa for picnics
Maranoa is located right next to Beckett Park, which is also a pleasant spot for a picnic. With acres of green around you, it's hard to believe you're in the middle of suburbia.
Acres of space at Beckett Park
Beckett Park has picnic tables, plenty of wide green lawns to lay out a picnic blanket, a shady playground and there's even a tower with a winding staircase inside.
The tower at Beckett Park
Maranoa and Beckett Park can be reached by car along Whitehorse road, turning left into Parring Road. You can also get there using Tram 109, which runs along Whitehorse Road. Get off at Stop 49 Northcote Avenue/Whitehorse Road – Parring Road is a 200 metre walk from here.
