Karwarra Australian Plant Garden and Nursery — Attraction in Melbourne

I’ve driven past this place many times but never visited before today. Armed with a takeaway coffee from Olinda, we took an impromptu walk around the lovely Karwarra Australian Plant Garden. It was really nice, many colourful varieties of Australian native plants, many of them clearly labelled. As a keen gardener I took several reference photos of plants that caught my eye, that I might try in my own mostly native garden.

Countless birds sung in the canopy of trees. We were also treated to the sight of striking black and lime green-winged Macleay's Swallowtail butterflies (Graphium macleayanum) flitting about the flowers. The scented garden of different varieties of Philotheca, Prostanthera and Boronia smelt wonderful in the heat of the warm spring afternoon. The view of Silvan Reservoir in the distance was very pretty, too. We were in a rush and couldn’t stay for long. But I’m keen to visit again and go shopping in the plant nursery section, too.

The garden is located behind the football oval. We entered the park at the Grange Road and Inverness Road intersection, then walked clockwise around the oval until we reached the garden. It is signposted.

Toilets are located outside the entrance of the park, next to the football oval.

Entry was free when we visited. Plenty of car parking was available at different points...

A little tricky to find but turn into the Kalorama Memorial Reserve and you'll see signs to steer you in the right direction around the oval. As soon as you walk in the gate you'll begin to relax and will thereafter find yourself wandering around this garden in a state of wonder and bliss. A great place to get inspiration for your own garden whether large or tiny, with plants for every situation. It is full of interesting plants with helpful plant labels so you can photograph the names of plants you like and then go and source them. Something in flower in all seasons. Inspirational and a credit to Yarra Ranges Council who run this amazing garden. Helpful and friendly staff and volunteers. Check opening times before you...

I haven't been here for a few years, the display garden is looking stunning. But what I really appreciated was the service. The council employee was not particularly knowledgeable on plants in terms of which area they were indigenous to, and the information wasn't on the website or in the office. but the staff member was so willing to search for the plants it was a pleasure selecting new plants regardless. What makes this council run garden supported by volunteers is it's absolute focus on flowering Australian natives. So if you don't need indigenous to a specific area the Australian plants collectively are stunning...