Ballarat Botanical Gardens

Ballarat's Botanical Gardens are considered one of Australia's finest examples of a 19th century gardenesque style landscape. Established in 1858, this lovely 40 hectare space features horticultural treasures including towering Californian Redwoods, imposing Swamp Cypresses, Turkey Oaks, Druid Oaks, and Weeping Elms planted between 1863 and 1874.

Stroll through themed gardens including the Sensory Garden, Fragrant Garden and Australian Native Garden.

Enjoy the greatest concentration of public statuary in any Australian city, including the Prime Ministers' Avenue, featuring bronze busts of every Australian Prime Minister, and Benzoni's beautiful ‘Flight From Pompeii' at the historic Statuary Pavilion.

Other attractions include:

• The Robert Clark Conservatory (open 9-5 most days)
• Adam Lindsay Gordon Craft Cottage
• Ex-POW memorial

The Robert Clark Conservatory

A prominent feature within the Gardens is the spectacular 13 meter-high glass architecture of the Robert Clark Conservatory.  Purpose built for seasonal floral displays, since its completion in1995 the Conservatory has become a landmark of the Gardens and of Ballarat itself.

The Conservatory also boasts a coffee and retail shop.  The buildings architect, Peter Elliott, developed the multi-faceted angular panels after experimenting with paper folding.  His overall design was inspired by "the great physical presence, large volume interiors and strong geometry" of world famous conservatories such as the Palm House at the Royal Botanical Gardens in Kew, England. 

The Statuary Pavilion

The Statuary Pavilion houses Ballarat's finest collection of marble statuary.  The result of the Thomas and Stoddart Bequests, the pieces include Flight from Pompeii Ruth, Modesty and Rebeka and Susannah by Victorian sculptor Charles Summer.

An elegant reminder of Ballarat's wealth in the 1880's, the Pavilion is a popular spot for wedding ceremonies. 

Prime Ministers Avenue

Some faces may be familiar, others may not.  Either way, the Prime Ministers Avenue is fascinating opportunity to put faces to famous names by strolling along a tree-lined stretch in the Gardens. 

All 25 Australian Prime Ministers are depicted as bronze busts mounted on granite pedestals.  You can walk right up and wonder at the political presence behind the artistic impression. 

The sculptors involved were Wallace Anderson, Ken Palmer, Victor Geenhalgh and Peter Nicholson.  Born in 1888, Anderson is famous for his sculpture of Simpson and His Donkey located outside Melbourne's Shrine of Remembrance.  He created 13 of the busts, including those of Barton, Deakin, Hughes, Menzies and Curtin.  The more recent depictions of Malcom Fraser, Bob Hawke, Paul Keating and John Howard were created by Nicholson, the artist known for the TV puppets, Rubbery Figures.  The works are consistent with the artist's philosophy that busts should impart an expression of the character of the individual. 

Adam Lindsay Gordon - Ballarat's Much Loved Poet

Adam Lindsay Gordon moved to Ballarat with his family in October 1867.  A keen horseman, he operated a livery stable behind Craig's Royal Hotel, and during his time in Ballarat, was secretary of the local hunt club and a senior sergeant in the Ballarat troop of light horse.  Gordon's daughter Annie died in Ballarat, aged 11 months, and the distraught Gordons left the city in 1868.  Gordon's cottage, originally situated in Bath Lane next to Craig's Hotel, was moved to the Ballarat Botanical Gardens in 1934, and today features locally produced arts and crafts.