Castlemaine Botanical Gardens

Castlemaine Botanical Gardens occupies 5.6 hectares on the town's outskirts, established in the 1870s during the gold rush. The gardens hold substantial collections of native Victorian plants alongside plantings from the cooler regions of Europe and Asia. Notable features include a stone Victorian fernery, heritage trees, and constructed water channels that reflect 19th-century landscape design. The grounds support conservation programs focused on local native species. Entry is free; walking tracks connect the main garden areas to native woodland sections. The site sits within striking distance of Newstead and the broader Castlemaine district's historical mining landscape.