The ‘City of Melbourne’, Victoria’s capital city, enjoys an enormous expanse of garden totalling some 314 acres. Located on the southern banks of the Yarra River, the gardens stretch out from Princes Bridge eastward to Anderson Street, and southward to Domain Road. The ‘Royal Botanic Gardens’ occupy approximately 89 acres of the eastern sector of this beautiful part of Melbourne.
Within this massive complex of gardens you will find the:
a myriad of Walking & Cycling Trails
as well as lakes, lawns, cinemas, stadiums, picnic facilities, amenities, etc.
.
A Brief Timeline of the Establishment of Melbourne’s Royal Botanic Gardens . . .
The original location for Melbourne’s Botanic Gardens was to be the area where the ‘Southern Cross Station’ (previously Spencer Street Railway Station and Batman’s Hill) is now sited:
” . . . The assertion that the first site for the Melbourne Botanic Gardens was the Spencer Street Railway Station, will be heard with almost general incredulity. When Batman decided upon the location of a township on the south side of the River Yarra he designed the northern portion, known as Batman’s Hill as a reserve for public recreation. This idea remained fixed in the public mind so far, that in the early part of 1842, the Superintendent of the Province directed Mr. Hoddle, head of the Survey Department, to mark off fifty acres of the place for the purpose of a Botanic Garden. This was done, and the boundaries were defined to be from the River Yarra to Little Collins Street, and in a line westward ; and from a fence surrounding the Survey Office, at the north east corner of Collins and Spencer Streets, and on the west side by the declivity of the hill sinking into the Swamp. It comprised the land flanked on three sides, viz, by the river, by Spencer Street, and by a prolongation of Little Collins Street, to the verge of the Western Swamp, and was actually the romantic she-oak hill and the broad green selvage that surrounded it. Meanwhile the shipping trade increased, and a vilely-smelling row of slaughterhouses jumped up along the river banks near the (now) Gas-works, commencing that Yarra pollution which has grown into a huge and almost irremediable abomination. A couple of private docks next appeared, and then the rude, shaky-looking chimneys of boiling-down establishments, candle-making factories, and other kindred industries began to puff and poison the atmosphere. Doubts began to be entertained whether after all, Batman’s Hill was the most desirable locality for the Garden, though it possessed the great advantages of diversity of soil, variety of surface, and convenience of access. Other sites were suggested, i.e., beyond the Flagstaff, adjacent to the (now) Benevolent Asylum, the present Fitzroy Gardens, and the western end of the Government paddock (now Yarra Park). Each spot had its adherents and detractors, actuated mostly by personal considerations. All four places indicated were alike unprotected on every side from the winds, hot and cold . . . “
Source: Excerpt – ‘The Chronicles of Early Melbourne – 1835 to 1851 – Vol I’ – by Garryowen – published 1888
Jun 1835 – John Batman stumbles across ‘The Falls‘ and proclaims that ” . . . This will be the Place for a Village . . . ”
Dec 1836 – The first Aboriginal mission was established on the banks of the Yarra River, within the grounds of the present day ‘Royal Botanic Gardens’:
” . . . As early as December, 1836, an Aboriginal Mission was established where now flourish the Botanic Gardens . . . “
Source: Excerpt – ‘The Chronicles of Early Melbourne – 1835 to 1851 – Vol I’ – by Garryowen – published 1888
” . . . For years after the white occupation an excursion up the river was most enjoyable ; along by the new Botanic Gardens and round towards Studley Park and the Yarra Bend, which, with two or three nooks in the Merri Creek, were the favourite haunts for the aborigines . . . “
” . . . It is a singular fact that what might be termed the first “Seminary” of the colony was an institution for the instruction of Aboriginal children. It was established by order of Governor Sir Richard Bourke, in 1836, on a portion of the reserve now known as the Botanic Gardens. Its first teacher was Mr. George Langhorn, an Episcopalian Missionary, who, for a time, had Mr. John Thomas Smith (subsequently the well-known Melbourne Mayor) as an assistant. The number of little black pupils in attendance during the first year varied from 5 to 28 ; in 1837, 28 to 17 ; in 1838, 17 to 3 ; and in 1839 (when it was discontinued), 3 to 2 . . . “
Source: Excerpts – ‘The Chronicles of Early Melbourne – 1835 to 1851 – Vol II’ – by Garryowen – published 1888
1845 – The governance began allocating land for public use:
” . . . Early in the year 1845 the Council directed its attention to securing places of public recreation, and made application to the Government for the reservation of 500 acres of land for parks, and also a suitable area for a Botanic Garden . . . “
Source: Excerpt – ‘The Chronicles of Early Melbourne – 1835 to 1851 – Vol I’ – by Garryowen – published 1888
Dec 1845 – Debate grew as to the location of the Botanic Gardens:
” . . . The subject had been several times ventilated in the Town Council; a committee of selection was appointed, and there were several inspections of the sites proposed, and hunting up new sites, until December, 1845, when the Council Committee recommended the present site, then a small beautiful valley. This place was, in part, used by the Government as a sort of Missionary school site for Aboriginal children, from 1836 to 1841. The first wholesale meat establishment was located there. At the commencement of 1837, the Hawdons arrived overland from Sydney, to take up land for the depasturage of herds and flocks, and they opened a slaughter-house there. The primitive retail victuallers of the period were four individuals known respectively as Paddy Smith, Jim Cawley, Dick Tancred, and Bob Fleming (after whom Fleminton was named), and these ” cleaverites ” purchased the Hawdon beef at 8d. per lb, and re-sold it for a shilling. After much discussion in the Council Chambers, and opposition from Councillor J. P. Fawkner, who stuck ” as a limpet to a rock ” to the Batman Hill locality, the recommendation was approved and transmitted to the Superintendent . . . “
Source: Excerpt – ‘The Chronicles of Early Melbourne – 1835 to 1851 – Vol I’ – by Garryowen – published 1888
1846 – The site for Melbourne’s Botanic Gardens was secured:
” . . . It was confirmed by His Honor, and in February, 1846, the reservation of the present site was announced. Mr. John Arthur was appointed head gardener, and the undertaking progressed so well under his watchful care, that in May, 1847, the Garden was in excellent condition, and a welcome walk from Melbourne. Mr. Latrobe would not consent to the Town Council having anything whatever to do with the Garden management, and the Reserve remained under the direct control of the Government, subsequently passing into the surveillance of the Public Works Department, as represented by Mr. Henry Ginn, the Colonial Architect . . . “
Source: Excerpt – ‘The Chronicles of Early Melbourne – 1835 to 1851 – Vol I’ – by Garryowen – published 1888
The original allotment for the Botanic Gardens was 5 acres:
” . . . 1846 John Arthur, the first director, fenced in five acres running from Anderson street to the present lower lake, then a dismal swamp . . . “
Source: Excerpt – ‘Australasian’ (Melbourne, Vic) – Article “Melbourne Botanic Gardens” – published 22nd November 1924
1849 to 1852 – Upon the passing of John Arthur, a new curator was appointed:
” . . . In January, 1849, Arthur died, and Mr. Daniel Bunce, a well-known botanist applied for the post without success. The Garden reflected credit upon Arthur’s skill and industry, considering his limited means and appliances. A Mr. John Dallochy was, subsequently, appointed Curator, and under his regime the Garden so progressed, that at the end of 1851 it was made the subject of a progress report submitted in November of that year to the first Session of the first Legislature of Victoria. A portion of the lagoon had been excavated, the margin formed with a line of borders 1800 yards long, and planted with shrubs and flowers. A rustic bridge was ornamented with plants. Walks had been extended and new ones formed. There were about 5000 varieties of exotic and 1000 indigenous plants. Packets of seeds had been sent from Ceylon, Bombay, Madras, Singapore, Calcutta, England, and other parts of the world. The attractions of the Garden were proved by the numbers which daily frequented it, especially on a Sunday, when an average of upwards of 800 visited there. Two Shows of the Horticultural Society had been held there, and attended by over 700 persons.
The estimated expenditure for the year 1852 was as follows: — Superintendent, £100 ; two Gardeners at £50 each per annum, £100 ; two Under Gardeners at £1 1s. each per week, £109 4s. ; Carter, £52 ; eight Labourers at £1 each per week for six months, £208 0s. 0d. ; Contingencies, £491 12s. — Total, £1060 16s. And now having written thus far I drop my pen, for it will tax a more fluent hand, and more picturesque style than I can command, to depict in sufficiently glowing colours the botanical reigns of the Baron von Mueller, and the present ruling Curator, Mr. Guilfoyle . . . “
Source: Excerpt – ‘The Chronicles of Early Melbourne – 1835 to 1851 – Vol I’ – by Garryowen – published 1888
1857 – Ferdinand von Mueller was appointed Director of the Botanic Gardens:
” . . . John Dallachy, a botanist, who loved better to range Australia in plant discovery, so in 1857 Dr. Ferdinand Mueller, afterwards Baron von Mueller, ‘took his place. Most old residents remember the kindly old Baron, “who made a world-wide reputation by his naming of Australian flora,” but Mr. Clarke describes him as a botanist whose idea of a garden was a mere place to plant species . . . “
Source: Excerpt – ‘Table Talk’ (Melbourne, Vic) – Article “In the Botanic Gardens” – published 1st January 1925
Baron von Mueller would cultivate a much more scientific approach to the gardens, introducing plants from all around Australia and overseas:
” . . . Although from a botanical standpoint the Melbourne Gardens were all that were desirable, the doctor’s methods were caviare to the public, who desired blazes of color and handsome shrubberies where only isolated species were being wooed carefully into, existence. The scientific nature and teaching of the Botanic Gardens were above their comprehension, and the masses desired a pleasure resort, with well-trimmed hedges and landscape effects. In 1873, therefore, Dr. Mueller was asked to resign his post of Director of tho Gardens, but requested to retain the position of Government Botanist. He was asked to choose, a successor, and after looking through the practical merits of possible candidates, he came to the conclusion that Mr. William Robert Guilfoyle was the best man available. This botanist, whilst in Sydney, had devoted himself chiefly to the practical part of his profession, and had a beautiful nursery garden in Double Bay. (Now streets and terraces cover the estate.) There he cultivated flowers from every clime, being the first to bring camelias to perfection in Sydney . . . “
Source: Excerpt – ‘Sunday Times’ (Sydney, NSW) – Article “Baron Ferdinand Von Mueller” – published 26th June 1910
1873 – Mr. William Guilfoyle was appointed curator who greatly extended the size of the Botanic Gardens to include meandering pathways, larger lakes and garden areas, bridges, rockeries, rotundas, pavilions, nurseries:
” . . . The labours of Guilfoyle are praised. He it was who took in the bulk of the present 103 acres and converted the tea-tree swamp into “a clear lake of promontories, islands, water-shadows, and bridges.” He “found two ranges, a gully, and a swamp, and he left this glorious pleasaunce of park and dale and colour.” Cronin “carried on Guilfoyle’s tradition.” . . . “
Source: Excerpt – ‘Australasian’ (Melbourne, Vic) – Article “Melbourne Botanic Gardens” – published 22nd November 1924
Mr. Guilfoyle retired in 1909. His hard work and dedication can be seen until the present day as the basic layout and structure of the Botanic Gardens remain of his design.
Today, the Royal Botanic Gardens are enjoyed by hundreds of thousands of visitors every year. They are a source of tranquility and beauty set within the hustle and bustle of the heart of the ‘City of Melbourne’. They are a reminder of the hard work and dedication of our early pioneers, and a beauty of that era that is undeniable. The gardens still retain many of the original plantings such as the ‘Separation Tree’ under which Governor Charles La Trobe and the public celebrated the separation from New South Wales in the July of 1851. The first curator, John Arthur, planted English Elms in 1846, which are believed to be the oldest known exotic trees in Victoria. An Algerian Oak planted by William Guilfoyle upon his appointment as Director of the Botanic Gardens in 1873, also survives . . .
The variety of species, design and planting themes, as well as the many historical structures which include the ‘Under-Gardener’s Cottage’ c 1850, the ‘Director’s Residence’ c 1854, Guilfoyle’s ‘Temple of the Winds’ c 1901, nursery buildings, pavilions, gate houses, gates, fences, arbours, seats, etc.
It is with great hope that the ‘Royal Botanic Gardens’ maintain the structure and beauty instigated by the very first pioneers of Melbourne . . .
Helpful Hints:
– Located on the South Bank of the Yarra River between St. Kilda Road & Anderson Street
– obtain Directions here
– Parking is available along the many streets that surround and travel through the ‘Royal Botanic Gardens’
Discover Melbourne:
– Shopping
– Facilities available at Melbourne include:
Sorry, no records were found. Please adjust your search criteria and try again.
Sorry, unable to load the Maps API.
- Public Toilets
- Bike Riding Track
- Mobile Data 3G - 4G
- Mobile Reception
- Walking Track
- Barbecue
- Pavilion
- Picnic Tables
- Rubbish Bins
- Sealed Road