Summary

This Australian Garden is a special place to walk or roll. There are many plants from all over the country. The landscape is beautiful. There is something to enjoy at every turn.

Description

Is this walk accessible for me?
This walk is accessible for everyone. It is generally easy by foot and using mobility aids. Please note the following descriptions / photos of the different surfaces.

There are entrance ramps to enter the garden. These have switchbacks. If unsuitable, a new lift is due February 2023. For further information: RBG Visitor Information

What can I see?
You will visit a large garden with beautiful native plants. There are many interesting garden designs. It is like an art work made out of land and water.

How accessible is the path?
Map signs are provided. There are many different paths. Take a paper map at the entrance. Main paths are firm, smooth, wide and flat. Paths in the garden may be sealed, compacted gravel, boardwalks or metal grates.

There is room for turning a wheelchair. It is easy to return the way you came. There are workers able to offer advice or assistance. There is only one car park. Mobile coverage is good.

The walk is generally exposed to the weather. Shelters are provided.

Rest areas
Seating with armrests is accessible from paths. There is a cafe at the entrance and a public lounge room. There is a kiosk inside the garden, but no BBQs or picnic tables.

Electric mobility scooter hire and small bus garden tours are available.

There are water fountains in the garden. These may not be accessible to everyone. Carrying a water bottle is a good idea.

Dogs and bikes are not allowed.

Toilets
There are 4 separate accessible toilets, including one changing places bathroom.

Parking
There are 5 accessible spaces with bollard protected side zones and clear rear access in the off street car park 25 metres from entrance path. There are no road crossings and no need to cross the car park.

There is a ramp from the car park to a granitic footpath which connects to a sealed 5 metre wide, gently sloping path to the garden.

There is no public transport.
A free wheelchair accessible shuttle can be booked to and from Cranbourne Railway Station. P: 5900 2200.

The following photos and descriptions provide more information regarding accessibility. Conditions may change. If you notice any variations, please let us know.

We would like to know what people with disability and carers think of this accessible Walking Map. Please tell us by completing this 5 minute survey.
Your feedback will help us to create local walks information of high quality for carers and people with disability.

Other accessible walks:
Jells Park Lake
Lillydale Lake
Westerfolds Park

“Walking and rolling together: accessible walking trails for people with disability” is a partnership between Victoria Walks and Scope.

 Victoria Walks acknowledges the support of Access for All Abilities, an initiative of the Victorian Government.

3582 Views

Points of Interest

1. Accessible parking

5 accessible spaces with side protection are on the closest car park boundary to the entry. There is ramped access to the compacted granitic footpath. There is little traffic in this car park corner.

2. Path to the garden gateway

This 5 meter wide smooth, sealed path takes you up to the garden entrance from the car park on a gentle slope.

3. Ramp entry (new lift due February 2023)

Switchback ramps or a new lift (February 2023) offer access for reaching the start of the walk from the entrance gateway.

4. Boon Wurrung Cafe and Kiosk

For refreshments, you will find a cafe at the entrance and a kiosk at the opposite side of the gardens. There are no BBQs or picnic tables inside the Australian Garden.

5. Changing places toilet

There are an accessible toilet and a changing places bathroom (doors 920mm) at the start of the walk. There are also well maintained accessible toilets within the gardens (doors 880mm).

6. Wheelchair hire and tours

Electric mobility scooters can be hired on site. There is also The Explorer tour in small open air buses.

7. Some soft patches

Occasionally there are soft patches in the granitic path. This area beside the Rockpool Waterway had loose stones.

8. Rockpool waterway

This manmade waterway is lovely to look at and children enjoy it for water play.

9. Display gardens

There are many different types of garden to explore on wide accessible paths, like this "Home" garden.

10. Shelter, accessible toilets and maps

The Rockpool Pavilion is a large waterside area with shelters, shady trees, seating, an accessible toilet and a site map. Site maps are found across the garden.

11. Boardwalks and metal grates

Walking or rolling over the water is done on a boardwalk and metal grate path. There is an alternative paved route to the right around the other side of the hill.

12. Many paths and ramps

There are many paths and ramps. It is easy to explore. If you follow the map as your main route there will be no steps.

13. Kiosk

There is a Kiosk and accessible toilet at the northern end of the garden. Check opening times at the entrance.

14. Lawns

Most of the garden is not grassy. The Ian Potter precinct has a grassy lawn if you are looking for a large green open space.

15. Textured paving

This section of the walk has a concrete path that has been textured with small ripples in the surface. There is an alternative and smoother path straight from the kiosk. See the map.

16. Boardwalk across a sunken garden

Here the wide concrete path meets a boardwalk over a sunken garden. There are many locations where the path edges drop off to gardens or water without safety rails. There may be lips between surfaces.

17. Small shelter with map

The accessible paths are often very wide. They can be fully exposed to the weather. There are some shelters to park in along the way.

18. Flagstones

There is one section of the main path paved with large flagstones that have gravel between them. It is rougher than other parts of the walk. There is a smoother, 1.5 metre wide path beside it.

19. Smoother flagstone alternative

You can by pass the flagstone section using a1.5 metre wide smoother path beside it for most of the way. However, there will still be a short section of flagstones to cross at the end.

Features

Picnic spot

Drinking water available

Seating available

Public toilets

Pram friendly

Historical interest

Art and culture

Nature trail

Lake, creek, river

Park / Garden

Accessible walk