From plants and rotundas dating back to the 1800s to colourful seasonal displays, this region boasts a wide selection of botanic gardens to take a stroll through.

Warrnambool 

Designed by landscape gardener William Guilfoyle in 1879 - who also helped design Colac and Hamilton - these gardens feature a rotunda and fernery. A highlight is the Lone Pine, grown from a seed harvested from the original tree at Gallipoli.

Where: Corner of Queens Road and Cockman Street, Warrnambool

Hamilton

Featuring a lake, historic aviaries and a collection of significant trees, Hamilton’s gardens host the only known Kentucky coffee tree in Victoria. 

Where: French Street, Hamilton 

Portland 

Established in the 1850s, these historic gardens feature rose beds, native plantings and a croquet lawn. Their standout attraction is a collection of about 1350 dahlias across more than 180 varieties, which are used to make Portland's annual Anzac Day floral tribute.

Where: Glenelg Street, Portland 

Buninyong

Among Victoria's oldest botanic gardens, Buninyong's green space features towering specimen trees, ornamental pools and a small lake known as The Gong.

Where: Corner of Scott and Inglis Street, Buninyong

Wombat Hill (Daylesford)

Perched on a volcanic hill above Daylesford, the 77-step Pioneer Lookout Tower within the gardens offers panoramic views across Daylesford and the surrounding countryside.

Where: Central Springs Road, Daylesford

Colac

Overlooking Lake Colac, these historic gardens feature winding paths, sweeping lawns and four rare Tecate cypresses, believed to be the only examples of the species in Victoria.

Where: Fyans Street, Colac

Ballarat

Set on the western shore of Lake Wendouree, Ballarat's 40-hectare botanic gardens are known for the Robert Clark Conservatory, which hosts seasonal flower displays, and the Prime Ministers Avenue, featuring bronze busts of Australia's former leaders.

When: Gillies Street, Ballarat

Header image: Visit Ballarat