Australian Business Number (ABN)

36600553934

Aboriginal heritage

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.

Access car-parking

There are designated accessible car parking spaces at the Stringybark Picnic Area and at the Australian Garden car park.

Access Toilets

Accessible toilets are located at the Visitor Centre, the Rockpool Waterway, Woodland Picnic Area and Stringybark Picnic Area.

Admission

Entry to the bushland at RBG Cranbourne and the Australian Garden is FREE.

Alf Salkin

Naturalist Alf Salkin completed a famous study into 'introgressive hybridisation'. This occurs where two species grow in separate geographic areas that are close to each other. In the zone between these two areas, hybrids of the two species occur, then, regular back-crossing with the parent species can occur, resulting in a range of variants between the two parents. Introgressive hybridisation is known to occur between B. conferta subsp conferta, which grows naturally on the Lamington Plateau and the Glasshouse Mountains, and B. integrifolia, which grows along the Queensland coast. There is a commemorative sign dedicated to Alf Salkin located in the Stringybark Garden, on the path from the Grass-trees to the Arid Garden, close to the planting of Banksia conferta subsp. conferta.

Alpine (cold climate) plants

High altitude alpine plants from mainland Australia and Tasmania are known to have a greater chance of survival in cold conditions. These species include:

• Bellendena montana
• Eucalyptus coccifera (high alt. provenance)
• Eucalyptus. gunnii
• Eucalyptus pauciflora subsp. niphophila
• Eucalyptus stellulata
• Grevillea victoriae
• Microstrobos niphophilus
• Nothofagus gunnii
• Olearia phlogopappa (high alt. provenance)
• Orites revoluta
• Orites lancifolia
• Podocarpus lawrencei
• Richea continentis
• Richea scoparia
• Tasmannia xerophila.

Please note: many of these species are larger growing shrubs (rather than trees) – please check if they suit your requirements for your home garden before purchase. Also, it may be difficult to find viable seed or cuttings of some of these plants. 

Area

RBG Cranbourne covers 363 hectares, the Australian Garden Stage 1 covers 9 hectares, and the Australian Garden Stage 2 (due for completion in 2011) will be approximately 9 hectares. Once complete, the Australian Garden will cover 18 hectares.

Ashes – scattering of

Under RBG regulations, the scattering of ashes within the Gardens is strictly prohibited. Families may wish to remember their loved one with a plaque as part of the Australian Garden Seat Sponsorship Program. Please contact the Development team on (03) 9252 2303 for more details.

The Australian Garden souvenir booklet

The Australian Garden is a 32-page colour booklet that details the creation of this bold new garden. Full of beautiful colour photographs, it makes a wonderful memento of your trip to the Australian Garden or a unique gift. The Australian Garden is available at The Gardens Shop for $4.95. It can also be purchased by credit card over the phone (by calling The Gardens Shop on (03) 5990 2268) for $6.75 (including postage and handling, within Australia).

Awards for the Australian Garden

Qantas Australian Tourism Awards

Award: Best New Tourist Development
January 2007

Architectural Excellence in the South East Awards 2006

Award: Best Public Open Space
Sponsor: Australian Institute of Landscape Architects (Victorian Group)
For: The Australian Garden
Designer: Taylor Cullity Lethlean with Paul Thompson

Award: Best Environmental Building or Landscape
Sponsor: Frankston City Council
For: The Future Garden, RBG Cranbourne
Designer: Site Office Pty Ltd

Award: Best Public Building
Sponsor: Independent News Pty Ltd
For: Australian Garden Visitor Centre, RBG Cranbourne
Designer: Kerstin Thompson Architects

Award: Chairman’s Premier Award
Sponsor: South East Development (Melbourne) ACC
For: Best Public Building: Australian Garden Visitor Centre, RBG Cranbourne
Designer: Kerstin Thompson Architects

Award: Best Public Open Space
For: The Australian Garden
Designer: Taylor Cullity Lethlean with Paul Thompson

Award: Best Environmental Building or Landscape
For: The Future Garden, RBG Cranbourne
Designer: Site Office Pty Ltd

Victoria Tourism Awards

Award: RACV Award for New Tourism Development
November 2006

Premier's Built Environment Design Prize

Short listed
August 2006

Chris Sawyer & Susie Kumar
For: Diversity Gardens, Royal Botanic Gardens, Ballarto Road, Cranbourne
Designer: Site Office Pty Ltd

Aussie-Host

Gold Aussie Host Business 2006
July 2006

This business recognises the importance of delivering good service and has trained their employees in Aussie-Host customer service skills and principles. It has made the commitment to ensure that each customer visiting this business will receive a friendly welcome, professional service and a warm invitation to come back again.