The Fernery, Rosalind Park, Bendigo

One of my favourite places within Rosalind Park is the fernery. On a hot summer day it is a lovely place to be because the foliage keeps out the sunlight and the water flowing through helps to keep the temperature down. Here are some pics from me and text from Bendigo Tourism.

At the northern end of the Park is the granite gateway (known as the Good Mother Gateway) leading into the fernery.

 In 1879 G S Mackay who was a leading authority on ferns proposed the establishment of a fernery in an area known as, The Willows, which was once a bend in the Bendigo Creek. 

The billabong was levelled and transformed into an open air fernery where mature trees now provide a canopy of shade for the more tender ferns. 

The area has a luxuriant character with its water features, bridges, rockeries, gravel paths and a fern and palm collection.

My sister was married in front of the bridge pictured above, 25 years ago last January.

The River Red Gums (Eucalyptus camaldulensis) growing in the fernery are the remnants of the original vegetation of the Bendigo Creek and are of historical significance. 

 This fernery remains the last surviving fernery garden in Victoria that was established on public land from this era. 

As you leave the fernery pause to take in the aesthetically significant vista of the Park with its retained 19th century layout, its significant plantings, some dating from the 1870’s, its different levels of horticultural intensity and its interface with the magnificent 19th century street scape and significant government buildings.

Due to drought the foliage is still a bit thin in spots but is slowly filling out. This is one of my favourite places although the bats roosting in some of the trees creates a bit of a smell.

Talk again soon

Jeanette