Tuesday, January 17, 2012

Royal Botanic Gardens - Cranbourne

 

 








 





This was meant to be a brief lunch stop on the way to Phillip Island, but there was just so much to see and do we couldn't leave. We have stopped at the Royal Botanic Gardens - Cranbourne on our way to Phillip Island for many years, but we had only ever been to the Bushland area for our picnic lunch.  This is itself delightful, with bandicoots and bush rats hopping around, beautiful bird life, and an amazingly diverse array of flora for somewhere that backs onto suburbia.


Little did we know of the magic to be found in the new Australian Garden area. Such an enchanting place for children, with a giant playground set in the bush, a dinosaur playground hidden in the garden, an artificial creek complete with stepping stones that ebbs and flows to mimic the cycle of flood and droughts in Australia. We didn't even see 1/2 of the gardens which were stunning, beautifully landscaped with Australian plants from many regions, and full of life. On our departure a Southern Brown Bandicoot hopped right in front of us across the busy entrance, it seemed oblivious to the fact it was broad daylight and near a busy car park.  So delightful to see these endangered marsupials and their conical diggings everywhere.


There's a great cafe hiding inside and a school holiday program which started later than our visit, but sounded fantastic.  We'll definitely be back for a longer stay next time.









7 comments:

  1. Ooooh, this looks fabulous! I have heard so many wonderful things about the garden. A few years back I remember driving by (also on our way to Phillip Island) thinking we must stop there. You have reminded me we need to make a trip.

    Love your photographs. A perfect way to spend the day.

    xx

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  2. Beautiful pics. Looks like the kids were having lots of fun!

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  3. The colours off the sky and red dirt are beautiful. I love the photo of big sis holding hands leading to the water

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  4. I love the Australia garden too - Its just a shame its so far away. Well, not that far really but further than say the normal botanical gardens.

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  5. I love the Australia garden too - Its just a shame its so far away. Well, not that far really but further than say the normal botanical gardens.

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  6. 1000 Homes of Happiness it is fabulous and well worth a trip in itself. The trip from Melbourne is only an hour but be warned never to head that way peak hour - awful.

    Kids had an amazing time Kimbamel.

    Red dirt, blue sky, reminds me of our trip around Australia - red dirt is so special. Those mud pies at Nannas would never have been as good without a touch of ochre.

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  7. Great pictures. You've had a great time, as I can see from them. You have a nice family.
    Regards and keep having fun!

    Central Glasgow Hotel

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In the spring, at the end of the day, you should smell like dirt.
Margaret Atwood

“She turned to the sunlight
And shook her yellow head,
And whispered to her neighbour:
"Winter is dead.”
― A.A. Milne, When We Were Very Young