The Castlemaine Botanical Gardens have been a gorgeous local favourite for over 150 years! With features such as the picturesque Lake Joanna, a scenic creek, lush grassy lawns shaded by enormous oak trees, excellent picnic facilities, and
one of the most outstanding children's playgrounds in the Victorian Goldfields, these gardens absolutely deserve to make the top of your to-do list!
Visitors can enjoy the excellent facilities provided at the park, including a large undercover picnic area with free electric barbeques (and powerpoints!), the superb
children's playspace alongside the picnic area, bench seating placed in all the most scenic and peaceful spots around the park, conveniently placed drinking fountains, litter bins and two toilet blocks.
Gazetted in 1860 and curated by Philip Doran, today the garden houses a collection of over 850 trees while retaining much of his original design, character and plantings.
The following text is displayed on an information sign at the Castlemaine Botanical Gardens:
Castlemaine Botanical Gardens
These gardens are among the earliest of Victoria's provincial botanic gardens.
In 1866, the Castlemaine Borough Council appointed Philip Doran as the first curator of the gardens. Doran was still curator of the gardens when he died in 1913, at the age of 83.
The present Castlemaine Botanical Gardens essentially retain his original design, character and major plantings.
The range of plants here reflects the global curiosity of botanists throughout the 19th century.
Many trees and shrubs came from the collections of Baron Ferdinand von Mueller at the Melbourne Botanic Gardens, and from the Sydney and Geelong Botanic Gardens.
Some of the trees planted during that period are indicated on the map. Many are now on the National Trust's Register of Significant Trees. The gardens are registered on the National Estate and the Victorian Heritage Register.
Castlemaine
EducationalToiletsPicnic tablesBBQShadeWalking trackBirdwatchingClimbing spot for kidsPicnic blanket spotUndercover area
BBQ
