One does not have to put in much effort to have a good day out at the Botanical Gardens Near Victorian Lakes. They are ideal for a leisurely stroll, a family picnic or to find some seasonal flowers and a spot by the water at no cost. I am Anna Marlowe, a writer from Melbourne with a soft spot for a garden path that has a bakery within reach; the Victoria lake gardens are my way of resetting without the need to orchestrate anything.
Then there are the likes of Ballarat Botanical Gardens on the shores of Lake Wendouree, Colac’s over Lake Colac, Malmsbury with its historic waterways and the Royal Botanic Gardens Victoria at the Ornamental Lake. All very fine options. You will find everything from marble statues and grand civic spaces to unadorned lawns and waterbirds. Do yourself a favour and consult Parks Victoria for any changes to access or parking before you head out. For more details, see this iconic urban lake.
Best Lakeside Gardens In Victoria
“Relaxing in the garden” is interpreted differently by a toddler, a photographer on the prowl and the type who comes armed with a thermos and views on begonias, so these gardens have something for all sorts of travellers. The table below puts the principal gardens in perspective.
Figures for the drive are as one would expect from central Melbourne in normal circumstances, but put in some extra time for school holidays or inclement weather. Some can be done by public transport though you may find the last leg of the journey is not as short as an online map would have you believe.
| Garden | Lake Or Water Feature | Indicative Drive From Melbourne | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ballarat Botanical Gardens | Lake Wendouree | 1 hour 30 min. or so | A full day by the lake, families, historic gardens |
| Colac Botanic Gardens | Lake Colac | In the region of 1 hr 45 | Regional atmosphere, waterbirds and a quiet walk |
| Malmsbury Botanic Gardens | Malmsbury Viaduct and creek | 1 hour 15 minutes approx. | Country town stops, compact visits and history |
| Melbourne Gardens | Ornamental Lake | Within Melbourne | Public transport, botany, picnics |
Ballarat Botanical Gardens Beside Lake Wendouree
For a proper visit and a long walk by the lake after, Ballarat is the all-rounder. There is no need to be driving between attractions here when the gardens next to Lake Wendouree put open lawns, water views and historic planting at your disposal in one outing.
The formal layout, mature trees and marble statuary lend a certain civic air. Out on the lake you will come across black swans and a wide walking route. The lake is calm and polished on a clear day, but in a stiff Ballarat wind it will have your hat second guessing itself.
Make The Most Of It
In the warmer months I would start at the botanical gardens well before midday. The sun is less sharp and you are more likely to spot birds at the water’s edge. Set aside two hours for the garden and another couple for a lakeside picnic and some photographs.
If the weather is nothing to write home about, the Robert Clark Conservatory is a handy place to put in an appearance for some shelter and plant interest. I have been known to put off leaving for longer than planned when the glasshouse warmth and the cold regional air make it seem like too much of an undertaking.
Parking is most readily found in the Lake Wendouree precinct unless an event is on. On a weekend it is better to park where you can and put in the walk than go round in circles and get on everyone’s nerves in the car. Families would do well to remember the lake is exposed; keep the children in near the edges and put on an extra layer even if it is mild in Melbourne.
Colac Botanic Gardens Overlooking Lake Colac
A more sedate affair than Ballarat, with a less formal rhythm and vantage points over the lake. Here you can have your garden paths and a picnic without the impression that someone has put a claim on every bench.
There are rare specimens among the shrubs and trees, and the walking paths are made for taking it slow. Lake Colac provides birdlife and room to spread out, though the look of the place and the water will be dictated by how much rain has fallen of late. That is what makes it interesting, but do not let a photograph from a different season put you up to it.
Time for a slower visit
Figure on 90 minutes to two hours for the gardens and then some to see the lake and have a meal in town. Do not be deceived into thinking the terrain is a serious hike, yet a garden visit will have its share of standing and uneven ground that some put down to nothing. When the path gets damp or you are lugging a picnic basket with the heft of a small appliance, it is better to have comfortable shoes on your feet than something more fashionable.
For a day in western Victoria Colac is an ideal stop. An early start from Melbourne will see you at the gardens before lunch, leaving the afternoon free for the lake precinct or other regional attractions. A car is advisable as public transport is not as plentiful as in Melbourne; just mind the parking signs and do not impede residential access.
Then there is the matter of café convenience which is not to be found within the garden itself. Should you wish to make a picnic of it, bring your own provisions along with water and sun protection. Mosquitoes are wont to materialise by any still water or in the shade when it is warm and, being small creatures, they have a way of picking their moment, so have some repellent to hand.
Malmsbury Botanic Gardens And Waterways
The Malmsbury Botanic Gardens has a history and is compact enough to fit in with a country-town lunch. One would not expect much from its size but the proximity of the stone viaduct and the Coliban River lend character to the place, and seasonal plantings put some colour about the lawns and old trees. It is a good option for those who prefer a brief foray to a botanical expedition of a day’s duration. The footbridges and waterways in the surrounding landscape make for a pleasant loop with sufficient variety to hold a young family’s attention without the need for anything in the way of expedition snacks.
Combine Gardens And History
An hour or two should suffice for the garden and what is historic in the vicinity; put in another hour for a coffee or lunch in Malmsbury. The town is close by so the day is straightforward, though sensible footwear is called for on the paths after a rain.
Those with an eye for local history or engineering will make of the stone viaduct what they will. The garden is to the taste of one who likes open lawns and mature planting. The oak-lined carriageway is at its most appealing in low light if you can put up with the odd slippery patch from dampness and leaves.
You will not find a conservatory or formal garden rooms in any number at Malmsbury, nor are the accessible facilities extensive. It is suited to a quieter, shorter outing in a historic setting. After heavy rain it is well to check conditions and to keep children from the waterways and dogs in hand where the rules of the locality dictate.
Melbourne Gardens Around Ornamental Lake
There is no need to put in a regional drive to get to botanic gardens near Melbourne, the Royal Botanic Gardens Victoria, or Melbourne Gardens, is the simplest proposition. They are right beside the city but the expanse of lawn and the Ornamental Lake put a pleasing distance between you and the skyline.
Birdwood Avenue is a convenient way in with public transport and walking routes from Southbank and the city at hand. You could make a short circuit of the lake, have a wander among the plants or spend half a day exploring. And since entry is free it does not become a financial affair.
Choose A Comfortable Route
On a first trip one might make for the Ornamental Lake and the plant collections nearest the entrance and the sweeping lawns. Give it two or three hours to avoid being in a hurry. The paths have a tendency to be slick in wet weather and the dust lingers in the shade even after a hot day.
When they are running the punting boats offer a change of view but whether they are available is a matter of season, demand and the weather, so do not build your plans around them. If they are not in service the lake is still worth it for the reflections and to be still for a while.
Public transport is the sensible thing for the Melbourne Gardens, parking being expensive or hard to come by at times of an event. Drive and you will want to note the restrictions and signs. First timers may be taken aback by the scale of the place; the child who says he will walk “just a little further” can end up being carried by his parent.
What To Expect Beside The Water
The state of the lakeside gardens across Victoria is at the mercy of the season, maintenance and water levels. In autumn a garden is leafy and cool, in winter more exposed. Spring is colourful but the weekends are busier and you will find the edges of the picnic space are muddy and in greater demand.
It is a mistake to think that all lake gardens put the water on show from every turn of the path. The truth is you will find it framed by trees, planting and slopes for the most part. More often than not this is to be preferred, but one should come with the expectation of a garden before a lake.
The Garden For You
Ballarat Botanical Gardens are the answer if you are after the full measure of formal gardens, family space and a walk by the lake. A trip to Colac Botanic Gardens will give you broad views of the water in a more sedate regional setting. Make it Malmsbury for an outing of some history and shorter duration. When free entry and the convenience of public transport are priorities, go to Melbourne Gardens.
- Photographers would do well to come at the start or end of the day for better light and have a lens on hand for everything from wide lawns to the finer details of a plant.
- Families should make sure there is food, water and hats to hand, as well as a spare set of clothes for the children, especially if it has been raining.
- Older visitors might plan where the seats and toilets are before they go; do not make of the whole precinct what is in effect a short stroll.
- Birdwatchers: binoculars are recommended and one should proceed with some caution at the edge of the lake, refraining from feeding any wildlife.
- Those with mobility issues are advised to enquire about the state of the paths, slopes and facilities beforehand since access is not uniform from site to site.
A Practical Day At The Garden
You need more water and less optimism for a good day out. See what the forecast and event calendars have to say, and what the roads are like. Then allow for parking, a toilet break, lunch and the odd delay to “have a look at one more tree”.
Options For A One-Day Itinerary
Do not try to tick off all four in a single day, pick a main garden. Without a car the full experience is had most easily at Melbourne Gardens. Ballarat is the pre-eminent regional combination of garden and lake. With Colac you can take your time over the drive, and at Malmsbury the group will not be worn out by the time you have seen the gardens, the town and had a meal.
- Get there before the place gets busy.
- Put in the walking in the principal parts of the garden while knees and spirits are still up.
- Have lunch in the town or in the precinct as the weather and facilities dictate.
- Make a lakeside walk rather than put yourself through a complete circuit.
- And check the way back before you leave, particularly when there have been roadworks or rain.
Costs will be dictated by what you eat and how you get there. While entry to the gardens here is for the most part free, you will put down money for fuel, parking in some of Melbourne, café fare and the like, not to mention an optional punt or two. A packed lunch is a sensible way to keep costs in check and have something to eat when the weather or the children see fit.
Then there is the matter of season. Spring means blooms and company. In summer the days are longer but so is the sun and the risk of being too hot; the lawns will be dry. Autumn is cooler and colourful. Winter has its atmosphere and peace but the lake edges can be cold and wet. And a storm or bushfire smoke can put paid to any outdoor plans, so consult the latest advice.
FAQs
Garden marketing has a way of making each visit sound the same, which is why these questions are asked. They are not the same. What you choose will hinge on your tolerance for walking, the weather, your means of transport and whether someone in the party has put away some snacks.
What Are Australia’s Most Beautiful Botanical Gardens?
Beauty is in the eye of the beholder and the season, so there is no national champion. Near Victorian lakes one could point to the historic Lake Wendouree setting of Ballarat Botanical Gardens, or the easy city access and variety of collections at Melbourne Gardens.
Quiet Gardens In Melbourne?
An early weekday at Melbourne Gardens, away from the entrance, is quiet enough. The Ornamental Lake and the paths that do not see as much traffic are calmer than the central lawns on a sunny weekend or during an event.
Victoria’s Famous Garden?
In the state it is hard to argue with Royal Botanic Gardens Victoria, Melbourne Gardens being the inner-city flagship. But Ballarat Botanical Gardens is well known too for its mature plantings and position on Lake Wendouree.
Which Is The Best?
For a first timer, Melbourne Gardens is the most accommodating with its free entry, the Ornamental Lake and public transport links. But if you want a proper day by the lake, Ballarat is the stronger option.
Are Children Welcome In Lakeside Gardens?
They are at Ballarat and Melbourne Gardens provided they are kept in hand near the water and roads. Take a realistic approach to walking and bring sun protection and provisions. It is a family outing not some cultural endurance test.
Make The Right Choice
You get the best from the botanical gardens around Victorian lakes by suiting the place to the day. Ballarat for the lot of it, Colac for the quiet and room to move, Malmsbury for a bit of history and not too much walking, or Melbourne for its flexibility.
My advice is to be practical: sensible shoes, water in hand and an eye on conditions. Some of the better recollections are the unremarkable kind: a black swan by the path, a bench that puts the lake in view once you are past the trees, or a coffee to cool you off.