BURNLEY GARDENS | A Walk and Talk with The Friends of the Burnley Gardens

The Burnley Gardens in Richmond date back to 1861 when the Horticulture Society of Victoria established experimental gardens. The aim was to introduce new plants to the colonies, and to promote botanical and horticultural science.

The land was granted to the Society on the basis that a portion of the gardens remain open to the public, and this has continued to the present day. The initial design of the gardens was the result of a landscape gardener, Alfred Lynch, winning a design competition and the gardens were officially opened in 1863 when they were planted out with conifers and other ornamentals. One of the trees planted at that time exists today – an Agathis robusta (Queensland Kauri). By the end of 1863, the gardens had more than 1400 varieties of fruit trees, only to be lost in a major flood which destroyed much of the gardens. However, the gardens were re-established, and the trials continued, extending to vegetables in 1874.

The gardens were extended, a pavilion and other buildings added, and the Society held annual horticultural shows through until the 1930s. On 11th December 2003, the Burnley site was added to the Heritage Register of Victoria, with special mention of seven of its trees, and three of its buildings.

The Friends of the Burnley Gardens will guide The Friends through the gardens, with light refreshments to follow. Paid parking is available on Yarra Boulevard.

Image: courtesy of the Burnley Gardens