benalla botanic gardens

Fibenton

What a lovely green space on the side of the river. It's only very small - perfect for a quick leg stretch before getting back in the car for a long drive. Some very old trees - cool and peaceful. Next door is the art gallery and cafe. Well worth a visit too.

Morant3672

Located on all sides of the Benalla Lake and Broken River, the Benalla gardens are beautiful and varied. They include formal and beautifully laid-out 19th Century botanic gardens, a rose garden, an indigenous garden, cenotaph, a statue of local war hero and doctor Sir Edward 'Weary' Dunlop, the Benalla Gallery, showgrounds, the Garden Oval (where the West Indies reputedly once played cricket against a country eleven), historic Monash Bridge, creative and colourful mural, fish ladder, museum and costume gallery, tennis courts, swimming centre, library, skate park and delightful walking tracks many kilometres long. The lake and river frontage has some wonderful examples of the endangered might river red gums. There is something for everyone.

DesertLoverVictoria

The roses are absolutely beautiful and there is a memorial to "Weary Dunlop" and a short outline of his life. The sculpture is very evocative and is surrounded by the beautiful trees and roses. It was so pleasant to walk in the shade of these trees, as it was a very, hot day.

G1455XBdavidf

I love the park next to the lake. Great place to stretch your legs. The bird life is beautiful, the roses are great and I love the magnolia trees

Alys-Schatzi

There are a lot of rose bushes, and they must be particularly lovely when freshly in bloom around November. Our group had no trouble parking (on a weekday morning) and enjoyed a stroll about before visiting Benalla's Art Gallery.

panther029

I would suggest a visit to Benalla isn't complete without spending a few minutes at the Botanical Gardens and adjacent memorial park and lakeside area. Just park the car and take a stroll through the small but lovely gardens and literally... Smell the roses.

54clare

Small but beautiful. Brilliant rose garden a must see when they are in bloom and so fragrant. They have a very moving statue of Weary Dunlop. He is a Benalla son who was a prisoner of War in Changi Singapore WW2. As a doctor he saved so many lives and often put himself in danger for his men. A true hero.

77Aussie77

The Benalla Botanic Gardens are unbeatable for families on a sunny day. Beautiful roses, big shady gum trees, but most importantly free BBQs, lots of picnic tables and an unbeatable playground for kids to run out their wiggles after a long trip down the Hume.

LissyL0u

We stopped at Benalla on the way to Sydney, we went to a little cafe and got some takeaway, the staff were so friendly but cannot remember the name of the place. The gardens are gorgeous, especially if you love roses, it is a must see, plus they have all of the roses named so that you can purchase the roses for yourself for your gardens. It is nice and shady and there are clean public toilets there and a terrific kids play ground equipment, perfect place to stop.

shezant

The collection of beautiful roses were just lovely. Most counrty town botanic gardens that I have visited have been pretty average but this one takes first prize! The people who look after it do a great job! We spotted the gardens when we had spent time in the Costume museum which is on the other side of bridge from the gardens. The museum is great for Kelly enthusiasts.

EP_holidaymaker

Great spot. Really well planned. Nice walk through the rose garden (roses are well labelled). Beautiful shady walk through the trees (lots of interesting species of conifers and other large trees) with lush well kept lawn in between. Art Gallery, War memorial and Sir Edward "Weary" Dunlop Memorial. Plenty of benches to sit and relax, rest, reflect. Picnic tables and open play areas.

Livetotravel747

An unplanned visit here to the Botanic Gardens, but very glad we did. Lots of roses out in bloom. Very relaxing gardens even tho it is near the main road.

DonelleH

The shady trees, beds of beautiful roses at the right time of the year, the boardwalk and the grassed areas for picnicing all combine to make the Benalla Botanic Gardens a lovely place to stop and wander through.

JanT120

The upkeep is a grand responsibility for this town. The best has been done to make the gardens a delight to walk and picnic in.

RobynL815

Advice to travellers: visit this Memorial out of respect for a wonderful Australian- very moving. Even though in it was in the middle of winter- the trees looked majestic and I could appreciate the size and lay out of the gardens. The Memorial is near the road and easily found. Plenty of parking was available when I visited.