Summary

A scenic 1-hour stroll around the formal gardens of Canterbury Park, Lake Neangar and Lake Tom Thumb in Bendigo’s north

Description

Is this Bendigo's best walk? It has so much to offer - the beautiful gardens of Canterbury Park, a bit of history, heaps of amenities including a really great playground and not one but two lakes!

The walk starts with a quick look at the historic Eaglehawk Town Hall (now a cinema). It then moves across the road to the historic botanical gardens of Canterbury Park, first laid out in 1873. The flower beds of the formal gardens provide beautiful colour to the start and end of this walk.

Lake Neangar sits in a park setting and the circuit path around the lake is sealed and lit at night. Lake Tom Thumb (pictured in the banner photo above) has a more natural bush feel.

This is a great walk for people of all ages. For kids there are stepping stones to an island and great playgrounds with a special space for little kids, right through to activities for young teens, including a skate park. It's also great for older people, with beautiful flower beds and historic gardens, a mostly flat easy path and plenty of spots to stop and rest. You can even go to the gym or have a swim if you like at the Peter Krenz Leisure Centre.

Enjoy!

Notes:
- Dogs are allowed on a lead.
- There are accessible toilets at the entrance to the botanical gardens and another block next to the skate park.
- If you need supplies there are shops at the start of the walk, but none in the park itself.
- If you'd like to, you can catch the Number 52 bus to the start of this walk.
- You can access the walk from other points, but we liked to start from the Eaglehawk shops because that is the formal entrance to Canterbury Park.

4451 Views

Points of Interest

1. Historic Town Hall

A walk and a movie maybe? Pop across the road from the park entrance and you'll find the historic Eaglehawk Town Hall, now occupied by the Star Theatre.

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2. Eagles of Eaglehawk

A pair of eagles guard the path into the park.

3. Historic fountain

This beautiful fountain is the centrepiece of the formal gardens.

4. Flower beds

There are some beautiful flowers in the formal gardens.

5. Stepping stones

A small peninsula sticks out into the lake, and then there are stepping stones to a tiny island. Great fun for the kids!

6. Family outing

Great spot for a family walk.

7. Rest and relax

There are plenty of seats on this walk where you can look out over the lakes. This might possibly be the prettiest of them.

8. Shags on a log

There are plenty of water birds to see on this walk.

9. Lakeside stroll

Enjoy almost constant lakeside views on this walk.

10. Eaglehawk Playspace

The excellent playground here also has great BBQ areas on the edge of Lake Neangar.

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11. Butterflys

Part of the playground is for very small children, with these giant butterflies providing shade in the most lovely way.

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12. Flowering tree

At the time of our visit in the middle of the year this small but amazing tree had beautiful flowers without any leaves.

13. Botanical gardens

One last chance to admire the flowers of the historic botanical gardens on your way out.

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Features

Public Transport

Playground

Picnic spot

Drinking water available

Seating available

Public toilets

Pram friendly

Historical interest

Local treasures

Lake, creek, river

Park / Garden