Maranoa Gardens, Native botanical garden in Balwyn, Australia
Maranoa Gardens is a botanical garden in Balwyn spanning about 2.6 hectares with roughly 4,000 labeled native Australian plants. The garden divides into distinct vegetation zones ranging from rainforest environments to drier landscape sections.
John Middleton Watson established the garden in 1901 as a private plant collection and named it after the Maranoa River. The City of Camberwell acquired the property in 1922, transforming it into a public space.
A mindfulness walk features audio recordings that introduce visitors to Indigenous knowledge and perspectives about the land. This connection to traditional practices is woven into the visitor experience throughout the grounds.
The garden is open on weekdays from 7:30 AM and weekends from 10 AM, with entry points at Parring Road and Kireep Road. Visiting during mid-morning or late afternoon generally provides a less crowded experience than midday hours.
The garden has systematically removed all non-native plant species to create an authentic Australian collection. This commitment to native plants alone makes it a valuable resource for understanding the region's natural flora without introduced species.
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