Stop and smell the roses at one of the many pretty public gardens and open spaces that can be found in the Central Goldfields. For actual roses to smell, along with unique artistic displays, the Rene Fox Gardens in Dunolly are always worth a visit.
Also in Dunolly are the Gordon Gardens – the perfect place to enjoy a picnic or a leisurely stroll. In Maryborough, the Phillips Botanic Gardens is a favourite picnic spot. Trees were first planted here in the 1870s and today the gardens feature many beautiful trees and shrubs along with an ever-evolving wetland area.
Discover a variety of interesting trees species or rest on the lawn, watch the clouds roll by and listen out for the growling grass frogs that call the Gardens home. Just out of Maryborough, the Tilly Aston Memorial Reserve is a touching reminder of the life its fascinating namesake. Tilly was a remarkable woman born in Carisbrook in 1873 and lived just opposite where the Reserve is located today.
Vision impaired from birth, Tilly managed to become a successful teacher and writer in her lifetime and she also founded the Victorian Association of Braille Writers. Her work planted the seed for what was to become Vision Australia and the reserve in her honour includes a gazebo and picnic facilities. In Talbot, the Talbot Community Gardens is a unique garden space that is cared for by the locals and filled with fresh produce.
The Talbot Provedore uses it as a kitchen garden, allowing even those who aren’t so green-thumbed to enjoy the spoils from the garden.
