Did you know?

Interesting facts about RBG Cranbourne

Did you know…?

• The Royal Botanic Gardens Cranbourne site was established in 1970 for the purpose of conservation, research, display and enjoyment of Australian native plants.
• RBG Cranbourne first opened to the public in 1989.
• The Gardens covers an area of 363 hectares, approximately two thirds of which is remnant indigenous vegetation and cultivated Australian plants.
• RBG Cranbourne is more than 10 times the size of RBG Melbourne.
• Stage 1 of the Australian Garden contains approximately 100,000 plants.
• RBG Cranbourne provides habitat for more than 30 threatened species.
• RBG Cranbourne is home to one of Melbourne’s last remaining secure populations of the nationally endangered Southern Brown Bandicoot.
• There are approximately 15 koalas living on site.
• The critically endangered New Holland Mouse was last recorded on site in 1976.
• Many staff members are trained firefighters.
• The Pink Common Heath (Epacris impressa, the floral emblem for Victoria) flourishes throughout RBG Cranbourne.
• Some areas of the Grassy Woodland were once mined for gold.
• The Xanthorrhoea’s (Grass Trees) in the Australian Garden are between 400 and 500 years old.
• There are approximately 3,000 plants in the Eucalypt Walk alone.
• The Rock Garden in the Eucalypt Walk contains the highest number of species per area in the Australian Garden.
• The Landscape Master Plan for the Australian Garden was awarded the ‘Best Landscape Master Plan’ in 1997 by the Australian Institute of Landscape Architects, beating the Landscape Master Plan for the Sydney Olympic site.

How many types of plants and animals are at RBG Cranbourne?

• 370 species of indigenous plants
• 6 different vegetation communities
• 160 native bird species
• 20 native mammal species
• 18 native reptile species
• 11 native amphibian species
• 27 species of animals of state conservation significance
• 6 species of plants of state conservation significance
• 3 nationally endangered plant and animal species