The Inglewood Botanical Gardens Reserve is a peaceful park on the outskirts of the town which features wood fire barbecues, picnic tables, a gazebo, toilets, rubbish bins, and a basic play structure for kids. Although very little remains of the original 1864 botanical gardens, this is a fantastic park for picnics, barbecues and bushwalking.
A circuit walk around the adjacent Inglewood Reservoir begins here. A large, educational sign stands at the far end of the park and indicates points of interest along the walk; this sign displays the following text:
Inglewood Reservoir Track
Inglewood is perhaps the most charismatic town of the region, with its remarkably well preserved streetscape and many fine old buildings scattered across the town.
Once an important gold mining centre with a population of up to 50,000, the number is now closer to around 1000 residents. The town was first surveyed in 1860 but in 1862 most of the buildings were destroyed by fire. The district has a long history of extracting high quality eucalyptus oil from the locally abundant Blue Mallee (Eucalyptus polybractea) and is often referred to as the 'Blue Eucy' town.
Originally constructed to secure water supply for the town, the reservoir became redundant when the town was connected to the Loddon System via a treatment plant near Bridgewater. In 2009 a pipe was laid connecting the reservoir to the recreation reserve on the southern side of town, to keep the grounds in a playable condition. The track around the reservoir provides for a pleasant stroll of 1.5 - 2.0 km depending on the route chosen.
Things to see
The trail commences at the old Botanic Gardens though only a few of the original pines remain. Skilled hands have created interesting and colourful carvings in the trunks of the older trees that died in the recent drought, with one featuring a lone Nankeen Night Heron that was fond of perching in the tree.
Just to the south of the car park you may detect the remnants of some small ponds; try to visualise the hospital patients that were once brought here to enjoy the environment and aid recuperation.
Heading north along the track to the reservoir you'll notice the many small mounds beneath the stands of Yellow Gum (Eucalyptus leucoxylon) that provide testament to the activities associated with 'gold fever' that gripped this area in the past.
As you complete the trail around the reservoir be alert for wildlife such as the many small birds, lizards and frogs that are attracted to insects living around the Reservoir. Fine stands of stout Melaleuca shrubs can be seen including Totem Poles (Melaleuca decussata) and Violet Honey Myrtle (Melaleuca wilsonii). In early Spring the squat rough wattles (Acacia aspera) carpet the trail with yellow blossoms.
Advice for walkers
This is a Grade 2 track; no bushwalking experience is required. Short linear walks to the dam wall or loops around the reservoir may be completed. You may encounter snakes, insects, fallen tree limbs, wire and glass. Parts of the track may be muddy and slippery at times with uneven ground near the diggings. Be particularly careful around the steep embankments of the reservoir wall.
Temperatures can be very high in the summer: be sure to carry water, wear a hat and apply sunscreen. Toilets, picnic facilities, water and BBQs are available at the old Botanic Gardens.
For further information on walking tracks in Loddon contact Loddon Visitor Information Centre on 03 5494 3489 or Loddon Shire Council on 03 5494 1200. May 2014
BBQ
Inglewood
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