Ballarat Botanical Gardens Accessible Walk

Ballarat Botanical Gardens Accessible Walk created by Victoria Walks

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Summary

Accessible, flat and beautiful, Ballarat Botanical Gardens are such a joy. There are manicured beds, majestic mature trees and a sculptured bust of every Australian Prime Minister to admire.

Description

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Is this walk accessible for me?
This walk is accessible for everyone. It is easy to do by foot, in a wheelchair or with any other mobility aid. Opening hours are 7.30am. – 6pm (winter) or 9pm (summer).

What can I see?
You will visit gardens more than 100 years old with many very big trees and plants from all over the world. There is a hot house full of colourful flowers, a fernery and a pond with lily flowers. There are 12 large marble statues and also sculptures of every one of Australia’s Prime Ministers.

How accessible is the path?
Paths are wide, smooth, firm and flat. Many have kerbed edges. Surfaces are either sealed or of compacted gravel. The gravel paths may get slightly soft after rain. There is plenty of room for side-by-side travel and turning around.

There is a wide ramped pedestrian crossing between the Botanical Gardens, Pipers on the Lake accessible café and Lake Wendouree.

Rest areas
There are shelters in the gardens. They are generally accessible with wide, flat flooring between features and seats.

Regular seating lines the paths. These seats have armrests and are connected to the paths. However, many have lips or kerbing to cross before you can access them.

Accessible drinking water fountains are provided.

Toilets
There are accessible toilets at each end of the Botanical Gardens. The northern toilet block has sealed paths and multiple accessible toilets, including a changing places bathroom (Master Locksmith’s Access Key required). Note: there is a slotted grate on the Wendouree Parade side path beside the neighbouring public toilet block that is a wheel trap for narrow wheeled chairs. Use the other paths.

Dogs
Dogs, cyclists and scooters are not permitted.

Public Transport
Bus No. 10 (Gillies St North) has a stop close to the back entrance via a sealed footpath. It has a shelter and passenger information.

The local Heritage Tram runs for tourist use on limited hours. It is not accessible.

Parking
There are several accessible parking spaces. Except for the two beside Pipers on the Lake café, most do not have protected side space or ramps through roadside kerbing. Mobility aid users travel along the roadside to footpath ramps.

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 high quality information about accessible walks.

“Together More Active” is a partnership between Victoria Walks, Disability Sport & Recreation and Regional Sport Victoria.

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Points of Interest

1. Accessible parking

There are several accessible parking spaces at different locations. Most have kerbs to get over, so you will have to get to the nearest footpath ramp using the roadside.

2. The footpath

The footpath along Wendouree Parade to the main gate is 1.85 metres wide, sealed and smooth.

3. Main gate

This impressive main gate is 3.0 metres wide. The entrance is sealed, smooth and flat. It invites you into a wonderful world of landscaped patterns and colours.

4. Great for kids

There are many interesting features in the gardens, such as this pond and fountain. Children are at play all around you. Keep an eye on them.

5. 12 marble statues

The 12 marble statues found in the gardens were brought to Ballarat from Italy in the 19th century.

6. Shade, rest or picnics

If you are looking for a picnic spot, there are no picnic tables in the gardens. There are many large trees under which to gather. Look for a kerbless path or one with a gap to get onto the grass.

7. Robert Clark Conservatory

This impressive glass house is fully accessible using a sealed flat surface through fully automatic doors. The door opening width is 830 millimetres. Paths inside are 1.5 metres wide, smooth and flat

8. Prime Ministers Avenue

A sculpted bust of every Australian Prime Minister lines this path along the length of the gardens. The main compacted gravel paths are 3.4 metres wide.

9. Seating

There are seats connected to the paths. Note: there are often lips or kerns to the concrete pads under the seats.

10. The Redwoods

These huge trees dwarf walkers and rollers as they pass below.

11. After the rain

After rain the night before there were a few locations where with mud and small areas of erosion.

12. Accessible statue shelter

With ramp access 1.3 metres wide and plenty of space of for a wheelchair user inside, anyone can admire the fantastic marble sculptures. This shelter is a great feature of the gardens.

13. A pretty fish and lily pond

It is always worth a walk or roll past this pretty pond. Keep a lookout for the fish and beautiful water lilies.

14. Accessible toilets

These toilets are all accessible. One is a changing places bathroom. The verandah porch is 1.5 metres wide. Doors are 880 millimetres. Access the gardens on paths to the rear or use the main gate.