Picnic and walk: Maranoa Gardens, Balwyn

Join your Nomads friends for a relaxing Australia Day picnic and some exploratory walks round the park and gardens. Travel via public transport is possible.

GRADE | LENGTH | TYPE: Easy, social event with self guided walks around the gardens and associated Beckett Park. 

ACTIVITY DESCRIPTION:
Maranoa Gardens is considered to be one of the most thoroughly curated public dedications to Australian native flora in Victoria. Started by John Watson, who in 1901 purchased 1.42 hectares to plant Australian and  New Zealand native trees and shrubs. Watson's Maranoa Gardens differed from other 20th century garden designs which were instead modelled after European trends.

In 1922 the gardens were obtained by the former City of Camberwell and by 1926, Maranoa Gardens opened to the public. By 1962, Maranoa Gardens had doubled in size when it was twinned with the adjacent Beckett Park; the latter being an important revegetation site for indigenous species where visitors can walk through patches of grassy woodlands similar to those that existed more than 100 years ago. Maranoa Gardens is divided into various zones which take into consideration soil type, irrigation, geology and climate preferences. The seven zones include the cottage garden, rainforest, arid zone, arboretum and the Indigenous display.

BOOKING: By Sunday 24th January. To register, click on Get Tickets.

COVIDSafe Checklist: Checklist 210126 Picnic and Walk: Maranoa Gardens 

FURTHER INFORMATION: 

• boroondara.vic.gov.au/recreation-arts/parks-and-gardens/beckett-park 
• boroondara.vic.gov.au/recreation-arts/parks-and-gardens/maranoa-botanic-gardens 
• boroondara.vic.gov.au/about-council/news-and-media/boroondara-news/maranoa-botanic-gardens-florilegium-now-available

MEETING TIME | LOCATION: From 12 noon in the main lawn area within Maranoa Gardens. Enter via Parring Road (main entrance) or directly into Maranoa section off Kireep Rd, Balwyn.
NOTE: Maranoa Gardens close at 5 pm and Beckett Park at sunset. 

MAP REFERENCE: Melway map 46 grid F7 | Google map goo.gl/maps/1pESMtyY8VmfzFCK8 

DISTANCE | TIME FROM GPO: 17 km, approximately 30 minutes to drive, 50 minutes by public transport. Parking is available inside the combined parks via Parring Rd plus on-street parking in either Parring or Kireep Roads.

PUBLIC TRANSPORT: Tram 109 (Collins Street) to stop #50 (Wharton Street). 

FOOD: BYO picnic supplies and beverages. Recommend you bring either a rug or chair to sit on. Water and toilets are in situ.

APPAREL | FOOTWEAR: Comfortable walking shoes and dress according to the weather forecast PLUS sunscreen.

LEADER: Garry Oliver. | Email the Leader if you have any questions. Members can access leader contact details under Members | Leader Contacts when logged in to the website.

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