Castlemaine Botanical Gardens — Attraction in Castlemaine

This afternoon, my parents and I had a brief visit at the Castlemaine Botanical Gardens, located in the corner of Downes Street and Walker Street. It was a lovely warm partly cloudy day with a top of 18 degrees.

There are multiple walking paths and entry points at this Botanical Gardens. We decided to walk around one of the shorter circuits, part of which hugs the edge of Lake Joanna. This lake features a small "bird island" plus a variety of different water birds including Mallard Duck, Pacific Black Duck and Australian Wood Duck.

Like many other Botanical Gardens, there's also a huge variety of trees to appreciate here including Weeping Willow, English Oak, English Yew, Velvet Ash, Deodar Cedar and Cedar of Lebanon. It also features a Rotunda, Rose Garden, Summer House, Tearooms, a Highland Pipe Band, a Playground, a water fountain, park benches and picnic tables.

Being a Sunday afternoon, there were lots of people here enjoying the Gardens. It's certainly a wonderful place to check out if you're visiting Castlemaine or...

What a great space this is. It was the day of the park run when we visited the Botanic Gardens in Castlemaine. I must admit it has been a while since we have been here.There were many volunteers going about their duty to assist with this weekly event (at the time of writing) Lake Joanna is a beautiful jewel in the crown of the Gardens, and a ‘must see’. The gardens also have old rare trees such as pines and oaks of great significance. The gardens themselves are one of Victoria’s oldest. In 1854 Frederick Hirschi, a nurseryman, requested the land for these gardens. Philip Doran was the first curator in 1866 and he held that position till his death in 1913. Well worth a visit to soak up all that is on offer. A mention must go to the Mount Alexander Shire for its great work and dedication to these...

With the reduction in size from original - it looks more like a park than Botanical Gardens. The elms & oaks are impressive as you walk clockwise but the Shire should pump more into maintenance. Lake Johanna (who is she?) is mottled with green algae & on the other side - some of Oaks are showing signs of stress. Weedy tufts of dry grass everywhere. Nevertheless - couple of garden beds are fringed with parsley & add a nice floral touch as does the wisteria covered arbour. Playground will keep kids happy & the duckies are a...