This walk explores the extensive array of dry climate plants and flowers in the Melton Botanic Garden, recently featured on Gardening Australia.
This walk explores the extensive array of dry climate plants and flowers in the Melton Botanic Garden, recently featured on Gardening Australia.
Melton Botanic Garden is a surprising find, with a large array of different plants to look at. A bit different to your traditional botanic gardens, this is an exhibition of dry climate plants, mostly from around Australia.
The park includes areas of remnant indigenous grassland and woodland along Ryans Creek, as well as a range of planted garden areas, including Southern African, Bushfoods, West and South Australian Gardens. With more than 100 different species on display, this is a particularly great place for gum trees, which was the focus for the Gardening Australia feature. The wide range of dry climate plants means there are a lot of different flowers, so this is a colourful place to visit.
This is a great walk for winter or a cool day because while there are some shady areas with tall trees, a lot of the vegetation is quite low. This also makes it very easy to get up close to the many different flowers and see the wildlife they attract (most visibly honeyeater birds).
The walk we have mapped takes you around the lake and through most of the garden areas, but this is a good place to just wander around and explore. The paths around the gardens are either concrete or gravel, but all are basically flat, so this is a very easy place to walk suitable for people with limited mobility.
There are good facilities for picnicking next to the lake, with BBQs and picnic tables in large shelters set in a lawn area. Public toilets are available.
Melton's climate is drier than the rest of Melbourne, so if it's wet in the city you might find this is a good option for a walk (check the Melton forecast).
The gardens are maintained by the Friends of the Melton Botanic Garden (FMBG - see 'find out more' website link above) with support from the City of Melton. At the northern end of the garden they have a plant nursery (limited opening hours - see website for details).
This short and easy walk is particularly excellent if you like plants or flowers. Enjoy!
Notes:
- The garden is always open and entry is free.
- These gardens are still being developed - some of the features illustrated on the FMBG brochure are not yet in place.
- Location of some of the points of interest (flowers) are indicative only.
- Dogs are allowed on a lead (no off-leash area).
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With such a wide variety of dry climate plants, especially the gum trees featured on Gardening Australia (see link for video), flowers are the stars of the show on this walk.
The plants on this walk are highly varied, with taller trees along the creek
The main lake is surprisingly big, with grassed picnic areas and covered BBQs next to it. Unfortunately it is next to the freeway, so the noise can be distracting on that side of the lake.
Next to the garden beds is an open performance area, with a pond hidden away in the trees on the other side.
Ryans Creek runs through the gardens and offers a more natural landscape, providing a lovely juxtaposition to the formal garden beds.
A beautiful avenue of trees has been formed along the main path.
Just one of the beautiful flowering trees (this one is still young and small, but flowering like a trooper!)
As you emerge from the trees along the main path you come out into the sun amongst the garden beds.
The flowers on this tree look like something out of a Dr Seuss book.
Beautiful contrast in colours on this tree.
Beautiful yellow flowers on this tree.
Impressive orange flowers on this banksia tree.
In this area you'll find an array of interesting, even bizarre plants from southern Africa.