Summary

These beautifully mature historic botanical gardens are perfect for walking or rolling. The setting is enchanting. The well maintained paths and plantations are easy to travel.

Description

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.

What can I see?
You will see attractive gardens with a lake, water birds, large mature trees and flower beds.

How accessible is the path?
This loop walking path is easily followed around the boundary of the botanical gardens. Paths are compacted gravel, smooth, wide and flat. There are no steps on the walk as mapped. Paths are generally at the same level with the surrounding lawns. The Gardens are very well maintained, no overhead obstacles were encountered. You can turn a wheelchair around and travel side by side.

There are accessible interpretive signs along the paths.

The 3 car parks provide for shorter options with different pick up and drop of points. Mobile phone coverage is good.

Rest areas
There are built shelters and many shade trees. There is an accessible picnic and BBQ shelter and a playground with some accessible pathways, but non accessible equipment.

Seats with and without armrests are provided along the path.

Accessible drinking fountains are installed.

Toilets
There are 2 accessible toilet locations, near the main gates and on Downes Road.

Dogs
Dogs must be on leash.

Public Transport
Bus No. 2 stops on Walker Street near the main gate of the gardens. There is no shelter, seating or passenger information. The footpath is narrow and uneven. There is a ramp through the kerb at both ends of the Walker Street car park. There is no pedestrian crossing.

Parking
There is space for drivers to pick up/drop off and park at all 3 car park sites. The Downes Road spaces are wide and recessed off road. There is room for unloading and loading. This car park is ramped directly to the walking path. The surface is sealed, firm, smooth and slightly sloping. There are no road crossings.

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.

323 Views

Points of Interest

1. Downes Road accessible parking

These 2 large off road accessible spaces are 3.8 meters wide (they do not have protected side space). There is room for side loading / unloading. To the rear cars entering the car park pass by.

2. Accessible shelter

This large picnic and BBQ shelter has space for wheelchairs to move around. There is a roll under table. The BBQ hot plates can be reached from a wheelchair.

3. Play space

The Botanical Gardens play space has some paths wide enough for wheelchairs and other mobility aid users to move around. There is not much in the way of accessible play equipment.

4. Accessible drinking water

Easy to use drinking water fountains are installed along the path.

5. Grand avenues

Planting in the gardens began in 1860. There are many grand mature trees lining the paths.

6. Ramped bandstand

There is a bandstand shelter with ramped access. You do need to cross lawns to get to it though.

7. Lake Johanna

The ornamental lake provides a relaxing setting.

8. A restored fountain

Restored in 2011 and surrounded by flower beds, the 1862 ornamental fountain helps give the gardens their classical feel.

9. Accessible signs

Accessible signs are situated on the path edge.

10. Tree shade

A wonderful feature of the gardens is the amount of shade from many large trees.

11. Seating

There are seats placed across the gardens. Many have armrests, are shaded and are connected directly to the path.

12. Maintenance

The gardens are very well maintained. The sprinklers here had created a slightly soft and muddy patch on the path. This suggests wet days might not be the best days for wheelchair user visits.

13. Accessible paths

The mapped paths are of firm compacted gravel, smooth and up to 3.7 meters wide.

14. Accessible toilets

There is an accessible toilet near the main gate. The one at the Downes Road car park has the advantage of being next to off road accessible parking spaces. Door 820 millimetres, area 2.78x2.5 meters.

Features

Picnic spot

Drinking water available

Seating available

Public toilets

Pram friendly

Historical interest

Lake, creek, river

Park / Garden

Accessible walk