Parks and gardens – Grampians
Hamilton and Horsham are home to two of the most beautiful regional civic gardens in the state. Both were designed by William Guilfoyle, architect of Melbourne's Royal Botanic Gardens and are among the earliest regional botanic gardens in Australia.
Other gardens in the area include the Peter Francis Points Arboretum, home to 500 different species of eucalyptus, the biggest collection in the world. Call in at wildflower farms such as Wartook Gardens, where over 1,000 species of Australian plants are being grown.
Alexandra Gardens in Ararat
Amble through the Alexandra Gardens to discover the fernery and waterfall, orchid glasshouse, Alexandra Lake and Japanese Island. From mid-December to the end of February the terrace seedling beds come alive with a dazzling display of marigolds, petunia and other seedlings. The Gardens also boast an unusual display of alpine, native and perennial plants plus herbal and rose gardens along with historic fountains and wishing wells.
Shady trees, picnic tables, free barbecue and toilet facilities.
Vincent Street, Ararat
Hamilton Botanic Gardens
The site for these gardens was set aside in 1853 and first planted in 1870, making them one of the earliest provincial botanic gardens in Australia. William Guilfoyle designed sweeping lawns, curved paths, lakes and islands, rockeries, cacti and succulents, colourful plants and contrasting foliage. Set in 4 acres, the gardens were classified by the National Trust of Victoria in 1990 and contain eight tree species listed on the Register of Significant Trees in Victoria.
Corner French, Kennedy, Martin and Thompson Streets, Hamilton
Horsham Rural City Council Botanic Gardens
Designed by William Guilfoyle in the 1870s this was originally a reserve of 37 acres, but only 8 acres remained by 1982. Clubs and individuals have donated trees and shrubs over the years and several thousand thrive in this peaceful haven only a few hundred metres from the busy commercial centre of Horsham. Children's playground and picnic facilities are included amongst trees, lawn areas, rose gardens and floral displays. Located beside the Wimmera River, the gardens are open to the public daily.
Firebase Street, Horsham
Peter Francis Points Arboretum
Home to the official Eucalyptus Collection of Australia, the Peter Francis Points Arboretum is a 370-hectare reserve boasting over 12,000 native plants. It is recognised as the most extensive collection of eucalyptus species in the Southern Hemisphere. For more information, visit the Eucalyptus Discovery Centre in nearby Whyte Street.
Portland-Coleraine Road, 2.2 kilometres south of the Coleraine Post Office
