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Park photo: Alfred Nicholas Gardens
Alfred Nicholas Gardens
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Things to Do  |   Facilities  |   Heritage  |   Fauna  |   Vegetation  |   Looking After the Park  |   How to Get There  |   Special Needs Access  |   Nearby Parks  |   Guided Activities  |   Special Places  |   Publications


 

Traveller safety information


The many linking paths through this garden take you beneath a canopy of the awesome mountain ash trees of the Dandenong Ranges. The garden was part of the historic Burnham Beeches Estate, home of Alfred Nicholas, developer of the Aspro formula. It is known for its extensive water features including waterfalls and an ornamental lake complete with boathouse.




Things to Do
  • Walk through shady trees down to the picturesque lake, and picnic by the quaint boathouse.
  • In spring view the flowering azaleas, cherry trees and viburnum.
  • Take photos of the colourful foliage in the autumn.
  • View the colourful birdlife.

 
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Facilities
  • Toilets and water are provided. The car park is situated opposite the main entrance. An entry fee applies.
  • Baby changing facilities.

 
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Heritage

Alfred Nicholas purchased this land in 1929 to build his home and then proceeded to buy up surrounding land to add to his estate. The property was soon named 'Burnham Beeches'.

Alfred Nicholas and his brother George developed the 'Aspro' painkiller. It was originally a German discovery, the supply of which halted during the first world war. George, a chemist, re-discovered the formula, the Australian Government awarded the patent and the Nicholas fortune grew.

Mr Nicholas travelled the streets of outer Melbourne searching for established trees to be purchased for his property. Unfortunately he passed away before the garden was completed, and soon the property began to decline. Mrs Nicholas stayed on the property until the outbreak of the second world war.

After the war the house was handed to their company which converted it for use as a research laboratory. The Nicholas Company decided in 1965 to donate the gardens to the people of Victoria by way of the local shire council. In 1972, the council handed the garden over to the Victorian State Government.

Aboriginal Traditional Owners

Parks Victoria acknowledges the Aboriginal Traditional Owners of Victoria - including its parks and reserves. Through their cultural traditions, Aboriginal people maintain their connection to their ancestral lands and waters.
Further information is available from Aboriginal Affairs Victoria AAV and Native Title Services Victoria

Aboriginal Traditional Owners

Parks Victoria acknowledges the Aboriginal Traditional Owners of Victoria - including its parks and reserves. Through their cultural traditions, Aboriginal people maintain their connection to their ancestral lands and waters.
Further information is available from Aboriginal Affairs Victoria AAV and Native Title Services Victoria

 
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Fauna

A variety of native birds may be seen in the gardens including king parrots and colourful rosellas. There are ducks in the lake and kookaburras can often be heard in the treetops.

 
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Vegetation

There is a blend of native and exotic trees including mountain ash, ginkgoes, maples and liquid ambers. Colour is provided throughout the year by a variety of flowering exotic shrubs, bulbs and trees.

 
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Looking After the Park
  • Take your rubbish with you.
  • Leave the park as you find it.
  • Dogs must be controlled on a leash at all times.

 
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How to Get There

The gardens are open 10:00 am to 5:00 pm daily every day except Christmas Day. The gardens can also be closed to the public on days of Total Fire Ban, due to dangerous weather conditions or for major works. If your window of opportunity to visit is limited please call 13 1963 on the day of your planned visit to confirm it is open.

Sherbrooke Road, Sherbrooke (off the Mount Dandenong Tourist Road). Melways ref: 75 G1. Met bus 694 from Belgrave Station stops near the front gate.

Admission

Adult $7.10
Concession $5.30
Child $3.20 (Children under 15 years are admitted free of charge)
Family (2A + 3C) $17.40

The gardens are open 10:00 am to 5:00 pm daily every day except Christmas Day. The gardens can also be closed to the public due to dangerous weather conditions, high fire danger or for major works. If your window of opportunity to visit is limited please call 13 1963 on the day of your planned visit to confirm it is open.

Sherbrooke Road, Sherbrooke (off the Mount Dandenong Tourist Road). Melways ref: 75 G1. Met bus 694 from Belgrave Station stops near the front gate.

 
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Special Needs Access
Specific information about site conditions so you can judge a site's accessibility according to your own needs.
more info

The key attraction in the Alfred Nicholas Memorial Gardens is the ornamental lake, surrounded by mature trees. The gardens are set on a sloping site, pedestrian access to the lake being via a long steep path. There are designated accessible toilets near the park office.

 
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Nearby Parks
  • National Rhodendron Garden
  • Pirianda Gardens
  • George Tindale Gardens
  • William Ricketts Sanctuary

 
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Guided Activities
1. Bushwalking (A2)
2. Car / Limousine Tours (J5)
3. Coach/Bus Tours (J1)

 
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Special Places
1. Alfred Nicholas Gardens
 
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Publications
Links to other websites
1.  Garden Web - Australia
2.  Global Garden
3.  Garden Clubs of Australia
4.  Australian National Botanic Garden
5.  Royal Botanic Gardens, Melbourne
6.  Royal Botanic Gardens, Sydney
7.  Adelaide Botanic Garden
8.  Kings Park & Botanic Garden, Perth
9.  Royal Tasmanian Botanic Garden
10.  Australian Correspondance School - Global Distance Education

Brochures
1.  Great Gardens of the Dandenongs (1.02MB)
2.  A new guide to Victoria's Parks: Parks Discovery

Park Notes / Maps
1.  Alfred Nicholas Gardens - Visitor Guide

Books & DVDs
1.  Victoria's National Parks
2.  Melbourne's Great Outdoors

Permits & Licences
1.  Alfred Nicholas Gardens - Wedding Photography Permit and Prices

 
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