Nestled in Eastern Park just a short distance from the centre of Geelong is one of the region’s favourite places. Established in 1851 the Geelong Botanic Gardens are a testament to the hard work and dedication of horticulturalists over several generations and offer a truly serene landscape for visitors who are looking to unplug and unwind surrounded by the natural world.
We start our visit on a winding path surrounded by Rhododendrons in a variety of colours as Geelong Botanic Gardens Coordinator Ashley Filipovski points out the new visitor centre completed in 2020.
Ashley explains that the centre will provide a space for education programs as well as entertainment including music and cinema with visitors enjoying the entertainment from the lush lawn in front of the centre.
Next stop is the original Furphy (water container) 101 years old which used to be carried in the back of a horse-drawn cart to water the gardens. It has been beautifully restored and acts as a hydration station for visitors and their four-legged friends. The strange markings Ashley explains are Pitman’s shorthand which translated say:
God gave you water the devil gave you beer so drink water.
Next stop is the new Peppercorn tree promenade before we walk through the Pacific Rim collection of endangered plants from the Pacific region and talk about the role of Botanic in protecting and increasing populations of rare and vulnerable plants.
Ashley talks about the original Menagerie (animal enclosure) and says that the Blackbird was released from here:
After the aviary fell into disrepair they had a ceremony and released the birds. And they’ve plagued us ever since! said Ashley.
As we walk towards big lawns shady trees and colourful garden beds Ashley explains that they try to respect the heritage of the gardens while also adding some more modern elements like the big rocks which children love to walk along. He commends the staff who he says do a fantastic job.
We enter the Conservatory which is like entering a tropical wonderland filled with hanging baskets great towering plants running water and vibrant splashes of colour. After fleeing the tropical heat next stop is the giant Sequoia tree which will hopefully become one of the biggest trees in the gardens. Planted in 1873 this one is a relative baby but is capable of living thousands of years.
Ashley talks about the enormous contribution of the Friends group - including the garden guides the botanical Illustrators the growers the rose garden ladies and the perennial garden volunteers. He says they are a fabulous community and it is humbling to observe their passion and dedication which has enabled many of the projects in the gardens to progress.
We end our walk at the Customs House which has been painstakingly restored. Ashley talks about the influence that every curator has had and how during hard times like the Great Depression they really struggled.
If you read the notes of the directors during those times you’ll see that their main goal was to keep things surviving. It was due to their hard work that we’re still here says Ashley.
The Geelong Botanic Gardens is open daily from 8am to 5pm (and 7pm during Daylight Savings hours). The gardens are located at the corner of Eastern Park Circuit and Podbury Drive East Geelong. For more information visit the Gardens website.