Ball Games

Ball games are permitted in one area only - the Woodland Picnic Area.

Bandicoot – Southern Brown Bandicoot

Southern Brown Bandicoots are an endangered species listed under the Federal Governments Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act (EPBC). The natural distribution of the species is approximately from Sydney to Adelaide - within about 50km of the coastline. They were reportedly widespread when Europeans first settled in Australia, however the species has declined dramatically in range and number since European settlement. Recovery Plans have been developed by Federal and State Governments to try and secure remaining populations. The species is threatened by habitat loss, isolation and introduced predators such as foxes. There are now relatively few healthy, secure populations remaining on the Australian mainland.

RBG Cranbourne is known as one of the best sites for Southern Brown Bandicoots in Australia and is home to one of the few secure populations remaining in the Melbourne/Westernport region. However, RBG Cranbourne is relatively small in area, with approximately 250 – 500 bandicoots living at the site. We protect and manage their habitat and actively control predators such as foxes that can kill large numbers of bandicoots.

Bandicoots can be seen right across the site but are most common around the picnic area, in the healthy vegetation near walking tracks and in the garden areas. They are commonly active during the day but during the hot seasons the best time to see them is late afternoon or early evening when they emerge from nests to dig for soil invertebrates and underground fungi.

Bandicoots are solitary animals that breed seasonally through the spring. They produce litters of 2 - 3 young and may have up to three litters in rapid succession between September and January. The young are kept in the females pouch for several weeks before they emerge and quickly become independent. They then move away from the mother’s home range and try to find a suitable patch of habitat they can then call home.

Bank - EFT Details of RBG Cranbourne

BSB No: 033 083
A/c No: 161707
Account Name: Royal Botanic Gardens

Barbecues

Portable barbecues are not permitted in the Australian Garden under the Royal Botanic Gardens Regulations 2004. Visitors are welcome to use the barbeques provided at the Stringybark Picnic Area and the Woodland Picnic Area. On days of total fire ban, the use of barbecues is prohibited and the bushland areas at RBG Cranbourne (including the Stringybark Picnic Area and Woodland Picnic Area) will be closed.

Stringybark Picnic Area: 4 free gas barbecues and approximately 8 large rustic picnic tables and benches. This is a very popular spot so arrive early to secure a table.

Woodland Picnic Area:

• large Pavilion - 4 free gas barbecue hot plates and 6 picnic table and bench settings to seat at least 8 people each.
• small Pavilion - 2 free gas barbecue hot plates and 2 picnic table and bench settings to seat at least 8 people each.
• Copse Picnic Space - located past the playground in the far copse of trees and provides 1 picnic table with bench seats.

There is plenty of bench seating available in the large Pavilion, close to the playground and ball game areas, and on the pathways. Additional picnic settings are available near this area. We do not allow prior reservation of the tables or pavilions.

Bicycles

RBG Cranbourne is a conservation zone of State and regional significance with many vulnerable, at risk and endangered species of flora and fauna at the site. Therefore, under the Royal Botanic Gardens Regulations 2004, the riding of bicycles is only permitted on roads and designated bicycle tracks such as the new 4km track around the bushland. Pick up a map from the Visitor Centre or download the RBG Cranbourne map (JPG - 2.16 mb) and print at home. Facilities for security-chaining your bike are provided at the Australian Garden car park, Visitor Centre, Woodland Picnic Area and Stringybark Picnic Area.

Bicycle riding from Cranbourne township

It takes approximately 20 – 25 minutes to cycle from the Cranbourne train station to RBG Cranbourne. Make your way to the corner of Sladen Street and the South Gippsland Hwy where a flat bike path begins. It is adjacent to, but separate from, the highway, quite sheltered and takes you very close to the front gate of the Gardens.

Boon Wurrung Cafe

The Boon Wurrung Cafe is open from 10am - 4pm Monday – Friday, and 9am – 5pm on Saturdays, Sundays and public holidays. The café serves coffee and cake, take away food, sandwiches, wraps, gourmet pies, and light lunches of quiche, toasted focaccias. The lemon myrtle fish and chips are particularly tasty! Daily blackboard specials are also available. The café is fully licensed and can be hired for functions catering for up to 150 people. For enquires, phone (03) 5990 2247.

Boon Wurrung

The land occupied by RBG Cranbourne is the ancestral home of the Mayone-Bulluk clan of the Boon Wurrung people.

They referred to the site of the Australian Garden as “Towbeet”. A total of 6 extended families, or clans, made up the Boon Wurrung community, which in turn was part of a larger “federation” of 5 distinct but related communities known as the Kulin.

Burns – Prescribed

Prescribed burning is an essential environmental management tool at RBG Cranbourne. They reduce the risk of fire to neighboring properties and RBG facilities during the summer period and also maintain the health of the precious communities of plants and animals under our care.

Why do we burn?

The aims of prescribed burning within the Gardens are:

• to reduce fuel loads in strategic locations, with the aim of reducing fire behaviour should a wildfire occur during extreme weather
• to conserve biodiversity in natural areas – the native plants and animals at RBG Cranbourne rely on occasional fire to allow plant regeneration, which provides food and homes for animals.

Burns – conducting a prescribed burn

Areas for potential burning in spring or autumn are selected based on a number of factors:

• the location of assets and property across the site and in the surrounding area
• how long it has been since that area was last burnt

We aim to burn small patches each year in a rolling cycle to retain biodiversity and reduce flammable-fuel loads in strategic locations. All prescribed burns at RBG Cranbourne are conducted according to a burn plan, which takes into consideration the environmental and weather conditions under which the burn can commence and also outlines the actions to be taken should the burn move into areas outside the defined burn area. This contingency planning is an important part of the prescribed burn process.

Brittle Gum - Eucalyptus mannifera subsp. mannifera

Family: Myrtaceae
Height: 10 – 20 m
Width: 10 – 20 m

This species can be found in the copse of trees between the Australian Garden car park and the path to the Visitor Centre, in front of the Entry Orientation Shelter.