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Victorian Parks and Gardens

Victoria prides itself as the garden state. And there's plenty of green about. Local public parks and gardens, national parks, all of them make an impressive show on the maps. Of course, they differ from beautiful shows of local or exotic plants, through almost-bald sports venues to sparse blocks of land with a bit of a play area and a seat, often on suburban sites too small for contemporary housing.

The National Trust classifies parks and gardens as well as buildings. Classified parks and gardens are still financially the responsibility of the owners to maintain, and they are not necessarily open to the public. Classified sites include pleasure grounds such as Rippon Lea mansion, and small cottage gardens.

The Open Garden Scheme promotes classified sites, and others of general interest with a scheme that opens private gardens to the public for a couple of days each year when they are at their best. The open garden scheme puts out a colour book containing brief descriptions of the gardens and their opening dates.

Parks Victoria: 13 1963

Note: This list is constantly being updated, contributions are welcome. Contact usAli Kayn

Guidebook lists:
Inner Melbourne Parks & Gardens
Melbourne Environs Parks & Gardens
Inner Melbourne historic sites
Melbourne Environs Historic Sites
Art Deco Walk of Inner Melbourne
Another View Walking Trail
Inner Melbourne museums, galleries and craft markets.
Melbourne Environs museums, galleries and craft markets.
All lists

	Badger Weir Picnic Area Yarra Ranges National Park Badger Weir via Slip Creek Track Badger Weir via Coranderrk Track Badger Weir via Lyrebird Track Web site	Badger Weir Picnic Area is 7km from Healesville (Melway Ref 278 K9).
	Healesville Sanctuary The largest collection of Australian wildlife in the world. See web site for opening hours and contact details Contact details	Badger Creek Road, Healesville, Victoria 65 kilometres or one hours drive from Melbourne
	Werribee Open Range Zoo 200 hectares of grassy plains and sweeping river terraces roamed by animals from the grasslands of Africa, Australia and Asia. For opening hours and contact details see Web site	K Road, Werribee, Victoria 35km west of Melbourne's city centre, on the Princes Freeway (30 mins) Werribee Park Shuttle from the Arts Centre Melbourne, bookings are essential.
	Pettys Orchard Antique Apple Orchard with over 200 different antique apples. Commercial orchard and museum, Pettys Orchard Antique Apple Festival Days held each year during fruiting season (c. March). Open: festival days or by appointment. Admission charged. Web site	Cnr Mockton & Homestead Roads, Templestowe
	Royal Botanic Gardens, Cranbourne 363 hectares of untouched heathlands, wetlands and woodlands For opening hours, see web site Ph: (03) 5990 2200 (+61 3 5990 2200)	Ballarat Rd, Cranbourne (off South Gippsland Hwy)
	Serendip Sanctuary, Lara Giant microscope, underwater world, theatrette and activities room, nature trails, wildlife in natural habitats. Demonstration farm sponsored by Alcoa Landcare project. Open 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. or by appt. Closed Good Friday and Christmas Day. Parks Victoria	100 Windermere Road in Lara, off the Princes Highway, 60 km from Melbourne.(Melways ref: 423 D2).
	Werribee Park Mansion, formal gardens, farm, Werribee Riverine, Victoria State Rose Garden Opening hours, see web site Ph: 131963 E-mail: bookingswerribee@parks.vic.gov.au Managed: Parks Victoria	K Road, Werribee, Victoria (Melway Map 201 D1)