Summary

Immerse yourself in the serene beauty of Maranoa Botanic Gardens with a unique mindfulness walk. Guided by five audio recordings narrated by Meriam woman (Torres Strait Islander) Alana Marsh.

Description

Let the soothing narration by Meriam woman (Torres Strait Islander), Alana Marsh, lead you through the botanic gardens, enhancing your wellbeing and connection to the earth as you explore the rich native flora and the land’s natural beauty.

Using Wayapa, an earth connection practice based on ancient Indigenous wisdom, Alana guides you to focus on taking care of the Earth as the starting point for creating earth, mind, body, and spirit well-being. Living in harmony with their environment is what has sustained Aboriginal people as one of the world’s oldest continuous living cultures.

Wayapa elevates our connection to Country and enables, informs, and guides individual and collective mind, body, and spirit wellbeing.

You can listen to these five audio recordings on Sky Country, Earth, Meteorological, or Trees anywhere in the gardens. You are encouraged to walk or move between each one, yet if this is not possible, you may like to combine them into a sequence in your favorite location within Maranoa Botanic Gardens.

Click on the 'find out more' links at each point of interest, to listen to the recorded meditations.

Maranoa Botanic Gardens is on the traditional lands of the Wurundjeri Woi-wurrung people. It plays a significant role as one of the most diverse botanical displays of Australian plants. It is a rich resource for students, researchers, botanists and nature enthusiasts alike. Walkers can follow a circuit path inside the gardens and discover a collection of around 4,000 native plant species, categorised into major vegetation groups from rainforest to arid zone.

Notes:
- The main garden entrance is on Parring Road, Balwyn.
- There is parking off Parring Road and on Kireep Road.
- Public toilets and seating available.
- Walk is wheelchair and pram accessible.
- Dogs are not permitted within the fenced area of the gardens.
- Be cautious around bodies of water at the gardens.

The gardens are open:
- Monday - Friday: 7:30am - 4pm
- Saturday, Sunday and public holidays: 10am to 5pm.
- The pedestrian and carpark gates are locked outside of these times.
- Closed on Good Friday and Christmas Day.

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Points of Interest

1. Introduction

This is the first introduction audio meditation (approx. 3 minutes) acknowledging the Traditional Owners and introducing Wayapa, an earth connection practice based on ancient Indigenous wisdom.

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2. Sky Country

This audio meditation (approx. 2 minutes) opens our awareness to Sky Country, acknowledging the sounds from above, the birds in the gardens and the warmth of the sun on your skin.

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3. Earth

This audio meditation (approx. 2 minutes) opens your awareness to the Earth.

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4. Meteorological

This audio meditation (approx. 2 minutes) invites us to explore how Maranoa Botanic Gardens has been shaped by wind, rain and lighting.

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5. Tree

This audio meditation (approx. 2 minutes) draws our attention to the variety of flora within the gardens.

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Features

Public Transport

Seating available

Public toilets

Pram friendly

Nature trail

Park / Garden