Colac Botanic Gardens

Colac Botanic Gardens

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Posted 2017-02-11 by Gayle Beveridge-Marienfollow
When we visited the Botanic Gardens at Colac we were not expecting the splendour that awaited us. We did not then know these gardens had been placed on the Heritage Register for their aesthetic and botanical significance to the State of Victoria. The 16 hectares of the sits town side on the banks of Lake Colac. Established in 1865, the gardens are home to many long-lived trees as well as garden beds and open lawns.


A 1.1 km shared path around the perimeter is accessible to cars, runners, walkers and cyclists. The perimeter track is supplemented with walking paths that cross throughout the gardens. Trees, some grown for more than a century, reach skyward. Five of these trees including a Pagoda Tree, a Bunya Bunya Pine and a Huntingdon Elm have been placed on the National Trust Victoria's Significant Trees Register.


Oaks of many varieties are well represented in the gardens with an estimated 100 oak trees on site. Plantings of pine trees lead to the Lake Colac foreshore. Cypress, palms, pittosporums, and wattles are equally impressive. A magnolia tree was laden with flowers larger than a man's hand. Camellias and azaleas are present but were not in flower at the time of our visit.


Along the perimeter path a rest area with seating accords sweeping views over Lake Colac which stretches away to the horizon. Black swans were swimming near shore and in the distance Warrion Hills are visible.


Beneath the trees, floral beds rich in colour were framed by neatly maintained lawns. A bed of canna lilies of vibrant reds and yellows, rose up like flames. Begonias of pinks, reds, yellows, whites and many shades between kept us lingering in admiration. Many other beds of colourful mass plantings brightened the gardens.


A colony of bats were resident in the gardens, the first I had seen. They were unexpectedly active as I thought they were nocturnal. The noise left no doubt as to their presence. Sadly, the tree tops were damaged where the bats resided. While many of the bats were hanging upside down, wrapped in their wings, others circled overhead.


A rose arbour led us to a fountain and lily pond from which five paths radiated. Nearby a cannon was displayed. This cannon was part of the armament of HMVS Nelson which was a training ship in Victoria's Colonial Navy from 1815 to 1868.


At the eastern end of the perimeter path, we came upon a series of children's playgrounds. A variety of play equipment is scattered in areas reminiscent of garden beds. There are swings, slides, springers, climbing frames, a mushroom ring or seats, a hammock, balance poles, a liberty swing and even a working water pump. Down an incline are BBQ's and picnic tables.


The walk around the gardens is an easy one on level ground. Take as long or as little as you like and top off the experience with some refreshments or a light meal at Botanic Café. This enchanting café has ample seating both indoors and out and good views of Lake Colac. The café's building, constructed in the early 1900's was once the home of garden curator Archibald Campbell who served here from 1911 to 1941.


The are on the corner of Gellibrand and Fyans Streets with entry from either. Colac is around 150kms and an hour and a half from the Melbourne CBD. Visit the website for directions. More information about the gardens is available on the website or from the Colac Visitor Information Centre on (03) 5231 3730. The Botanic Café can be contacted on (03) 5232 2858. Map of the gardens are displayed at the entrances.


Dogs on leashes are welcome and doggy disposal bags are available at the entrances. Entry to the gardens is free and there is ample parking both in Gellibrand Street and along the perimeter track within the gardens. Gates for vehicle access are open between 10am and 4pm daily. There are public toilets on the foreshore of Lake Colac.

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#family_attractions
#free
#gardens
#long_weekend
#near_melbourne
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%wnmelbourne
102990 - 2023-06-12 10:27:15

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