Ballarat Botanical Gardens, Lake Wendouree

About Ballarat Botanical Gardens

Ballarat Botanical Gardens is a things to do venue in Lake Wendouree, Victoria.

Covering an area of 40 hectares, the gardens are divided into three zones and celebrated their 150th anniversary in 2007. The central Botanical Gardens reserve is designed in the ‘gardenesque’ style of Victorian pleasure gardens.

It features a diverse range of well-maintained flora, providing a tranquil oasis for visitors to enjoy leisurely strolls, picnics, or relaxation with a book. Adjacent to the central reserve are the North and South Gardens, which offer open parkland buffers.

These areas provide ample space for visitors to play, relax, and explore. One of the main attractions of the gardens is the large, modern conservatory.

Inside, visitors can marvel at the stunning display of plants from around the world, including exotic orchids and ferns. The Stoddart Statue Pavilion in the Botanical Gardens houses the Stoddart Statue Collection.

This collection consists of 12 white marble figures donated by Thomas Stoddart in 1884. Although the figures were damaged by vandals in 2002, they have since been restored and depict various figures from classical mythology.

The Prime Ministers Avenue is another unique feature of the gardens. It showcases a collection of bronze busts of all Australian Prime Ministers, set within Horse Chestnut Avenue.

The collection was initially donated by Richard Crouch, with further additions made possible through his bequest. Notably, the avenue commemorates Alfred Deakin, the first Federal Member for Ballarat and the second Prime Minister of Australia.

In the South Gardens, visitors will find Australia’s Ex Prisoner of War Memorial. Designed by Ball

Good to know

• Type: Things to Do
• Area: Lake Wendouree, Victoria
• Phone: (03) 5342 9354
• Website: visit ↗

Frequently asked questions

Find more things to do in Lake Wendouree or browse the Lake Wendouree local guide.