Royal Botanic Gardens Cranbourne Divisional Director Chris Russell is encouraging locals to come along to an upcoming sneak preview of the new million dollar Australian Garden development. By Alison Noonan
ONE of Cranbourne’s bestkept secrets will soon be revealed.
Visitors to the Royal Botanic Gardens can get a sneak preview of the milliondollar development The Australian Garden during two guided tours scheduled for early next month.
Divisional Director Chris Russell said the tours would offer a premature glimpse of what he described as “the most significant botanic development in Australia for some decades”.
“This garden shows that our native plants can be used in just as exciting ways as exotic plants,” Mr Russell said.
“It follows the metaphorical journey of water through four themed gardens and encourages visitors to embrace Australian plants and use them in their own gardens,” he said.
Mr Russell said the garden was designed to highlight the beauty and diversity of Australian plants and would become an international tourist destination.
“The first 11 hectares is scheduled to open in May next year and we are currently seeking funding to develop the remaining 25 hectares,” he said.
“The difficult part is that we are working on a vision that might take 50 to 100 years to come to fruition.
“However, the garden will bring significant economic benefits to the region via capital and tourist spending.
“Just as Phillip Island is the mustsee Australian penguin experience, we would like this garden to become the must see Australian plant experience.”
The onehour tours will be held on Sunday 9 and Saturday 15 October at 2pm.
Bookings are essential. Phone 5990 2200.
