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Ballarat Botanical Gardens

Ballarat Botanical Gardens: Address, Phone Number, Ballarat Botanical Gardens Reviews: 4.5/5

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Ballarat Botanical Gardens

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Ballarat Botanical Gardens
4.5
806
#2 of 137 things to do in Ballarat
Gardens
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Top ways to experience Ballarat Botanical Gardens and nearby attractions

The area
Address
Best nearby
Restaurants
304 within 3 miles
Park Hotel Bistro
73
0.1 mi$$ - $$$ • Quick Bites • Bar • Pub
Subway
8
240 ft$ • Fast Food
Arch Fish Shop
24
308 ft$ • Seafood • Fast Food • Australian
Arch View Cafe
31
0.4 mi$$ - $$$ • Cafe • Australian • Vegetarian Friendly
Higher Society
11
0.5 mi$ • Cafe
Pipers by the Lake
493
0.6 mi$$ - $$$ • Cafe • Australian • Vegetarian Friendly
Providore Cafe Lake Gardens
20
0.7 mi$$ - $$$ • Cafe • Australian • Vegetarian Friendly
Golden Nugget Bakery Wendouree
7
0.7 mi
Alfredton Milk Bar & Mixed Business
2
0.8 mi
The Alfredton Fish Shop
22
0.8 mi$ • Quick Bites • Fast Food • Australian
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Attractions
128 within 6 miles
Ballarat Tramway Museum
189
0.3 miSpeciality Museums
Arch of Victory
165
0.4 miPoints of Interest & Landmarks
Lake Wendouree
1,131
0.6 miBodies of Water • Nature & Wildlife Areas
Prime Ministers Avenue
11
0.3 miPoints of Interest & Landmarks
Sturt Street Gardens
41
0.5 miPoints of Interest & Landmarks • Gardens
Lake Wendouree Adventure Playground
35
0.7 miPlaygrounds
Art Gallery of Ballarat
695
2.2 miArt Galleries
Sequoiadendron Avenue
3
0.6 miHistoric Sites • Points of Interest & Landmarks
Lydiard Street
219
2.2 miPoints of Interest & Landmarks
Australian Ex-Prisoners of War Memorial
215
Points of Interest & Landmarks
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Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information.
Popular mentions
4.5
806 reviews
Excellent
543
Very good
230
Average
31
Poor
2
Terrible
0
Rooboy2014
Emerald, Australia383 contributions
Botanical Bonanza
This is probably one of the most under estimated or publicised places in Victoria. Well maintained gardens, flowers, trees....statues of various significant people over the years including William Wallace. There is also geese which at certain times of the year cross the road circling Lake Wendouree and they escort their families across the road. If you happen to catch this (Spring time mostly) it is also a gem to see.

Ballarat is a very interesting place to visit and you probably need a good week to see the most important things. The Botanical Gardens are just fabulous. Saw a single jogger but heaps of people picnicking, queuing for an ice cream from the tram shop and people just enjoying the atmosphere. There is a tram that runs alongside the lake (not all of it though which is a shame) for $5 a passenger.

Anyone who does not enjoy the gardens is pretty hard to please. To really appreciate the gardens you need at least three hours but you could do it in less time but whether you would enjoy it so much is another thing.
Written December 31, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
flyingfrancophiles
Launceston, Tasmania, Australia45 contributions
Loved the Prime Ministers' Walk
Must be one of the best regional Botanical Gardens in the country. We first visited for the Begonia Festival and the begonia display alone was worth the trip. Spend half a day wandering through the grounds, the Conservatory, the lily ponds, the floral clock, the Stoddard Collection of Italian marble statues and the sensory garden. We particularly enjoyed the Prime Ministers' Walk with a bust of every Australian PM since Federation.
Written February 26, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Jeffry b
Essendon, Australia10,963 contributions
Ballarat's gardens are unique
The Ballarat Botanical Gardens are best known for the annual Begonia Festival. Begonias produce a uniquely rich profusion of colourful blooms. The are, however, many more sights to see, including the classical statues in the pavillion. One unique feature is the Avenue of Prime Ministers, with a bust of every national leader since Federation.
Written April 19, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Kerry L
Melbourne, Australia50 contributions
Wonderful visit
Absolutely stunning visit to the Botanical gardens. The dahlia beds were outstanding with many varieties of dahlia in full bloom. We reached the house where the begonias were being displayed when there was only a small queue. This is a wonderful display of begonias with so many colors, shapes and sizes (some were enormous.) There were also wonderful floral displays in other garden beds. This is most definitely worth a trip to Ballarat during the March long weekend if you love flowers.
Written March 9, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Jeffry b
Essendon, Australia10,963 contributions
So many things to see
The blooms, especially the begonias, are glorious! But there are many other things to see, including the classical statues. The Adam Lindsay Gordon craft cottage is alluring. But I like the Avenue of Prime Ministers most. They begin with the first PM, Edmund "Toby" Barton and continue to the current era. As I know something about Australian history, I am always fascinated by the statues of these men (and one woman) and speculate what they had inside their heads.
Written October 4, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Mark R
City of Greater Geelong, Australia45 contributions
Winter's day walk
Friends
These beautifully maintained gardens make for a beautiful walk any day of the week.
Spring is the best time to visit and observe flowers in bloom. The large walk through hothouse houses many variety of plants with seating throughout.
Across the park is a cafe set in an historic building providing all manner of treats.
Highlight of the year is viewing the annual begonias festival.
Plan for a visit to this beautiful garden.
Written July 25, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Peter S
Melbourne, Australia6 contributions
Nice walk near the lake
Nice walk around the gardens, some items of interest such as prime ministers walk, some statues, etc. Plenty of nice places to relax for a while. Some music events and flower festivals too.
Written December 12, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
dave548
Ballarat, Australia120 contributions
Ballarat botanical gardens at Lake Wendouree
This is at Lake Wendouree Ballarat.See reviews for Lake Wendouree.These are exrensive gardens with a Hot House displaying plants.This weekend it was Begonias as it was the Begonia festival weekend on Labour day weekend in Victoria.The gardens were established in the late 1800's.Many well established trees with superb garden beds maintained by the Ballarat botanical gardens team.Superb statues to view and also a row of past Australian Prime Ministers.
There are often a lot of different things happening around the lake and gardens.If you are on a trip to visit Ballarat make sure you see the Botanical gardens and Lake Wendouree
Written March 9, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Wendingwayward
Victoria, Australia12 contributions
One of the loveliest regional Botanic Gardens
Firstly, the position of the gardens - alongside beautiful lake Wendouree, with its serene vistas, lovely walking tracks, historic tramway and inviting eateries, is a huge bonus which extends both the experience and the sense of space of the gardens themselves. A gorgeous spot for a romantic or family picnic on the lawns beneath huge tress or an idyllic stroll discovering beautiful flower beds, hidden alcoves, historic features or art installations. There are regular feature events such as the begonia festival or displays in the beautiful greenhouse, riverside markets and the like.
Written March 6, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Sippa
Melbourne, Australia45 contributions
A Place to Relax &
Although it is not the largest botanic garden, it is definitely one of the best in victoria. The theme in greenhouse changes routinely, and you can see that they are paying a lot effort on that. Unfortunately as of early June 2020 the greenhouse is still temporarily closed.

There are many swans nearby and they are so accustomed to human. And swans here seem to have better temper than in other places (I have met more than enough bad-tempered swans before...)
Written June 5, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
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Frequently Asked Questions about Ballarat Botanical Gardens
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