Bendigo Botanic Gardens

Established in 1857 the Bendigo Botanic Gardens are almost as old as Bendigo itself with the site appearing on a 1854 plan of the White Hills township just a couple of years after gold was first discovered in Bendigo in 1851.

The Gardens are Bendigo’s first public gardens and were included on the Victorian Heritage Register in 2001 due to their historical, architectural, scientific, botanical, aesthetic and social significance.

The Gardens form a picturesque landscape around a central billabong with remnant River Red Gums and exotic trees. The mature conifer plantings along the western boundary include Pinus pinea, P. radiata, P. halepensis and individually significant P. torreyana and P. roxburghii which are both rare in cultivation. These trees are important and prominent landscape plantings. The landscape is further enhanced by an avenue of Ulmus x hollandica along the southern boundary, stands of Eucalyptus, including remnant E. camaldulensis, E. melliodora, and a cultivated E. globulus subsp. globulus. Near the main entrance are two large Ficus macrophylla and a Cedrus deodara.

The gardens are of scientific (botanical) significance for a number of rare plants and fine specimens. The Dovyalis caffra (Kei Apple) of which the only other example is at Werribee Park and a small plant in the Royal Botanic Gardens; is the finest and largest of the species in Victoria.

The Bendigo Botanic Gardens are a very popular destination for both local residents and visitors alike. The Gardens provide an excellent place for family get togethers, picnics and celebrations and are an iconic and much loved part of Bendigo.