Wilson Botanic Park

 It was an operational quarry until the late 1970s

 

 The Directional Marker on the cliff above identifies panoramic highlights of Berwick and beyond.

 Perched on the edge of the Basalt Lake, a Birdhide provides the perfect cover for bird watching

 Friend of a ducky kind

"The quarry was founded by William Wilson in 1859. Mr Wilson recognised a business opportunity and began excavating the site which would soon become renowned for producing some of the highest quality basalt in the Melbourne region.
The transformation of the quarry site began in the late 1980s when work commenced by the then City of Berwick.
In 1992, the Honourable Bill Hayden A.C., Governor General, officially opened Wilson Botanic Park, in memory of early pioneers.

During the operational days of the quarry many fossils were found, some more than 22 million years old. They include fossilised wood, leaves and pollens of flowering plants and conifers.
Such evidence reveals that the site was tropical rainforest many years ago." - City of Casey

http://www.sgaonline.org.au/?p=62988

Entry: free
Wilson Botanic Park is open every day except Christmas day and Good Friday.
7am – 5pm or 7am – 8pm (during daylight savings)

Visitor Centre:
10 am - 4 pm weekdays
11.30 am - 4 pm weekends

SkyHigh Mt Dandenong

 "First established as a survey point in 1861 this historic area, which has undergone a lavish and sympathetic redevelopment, affords a unique overview of Greater Melbourne."

 Voted one of Victoria's best look-outs... Too bad these were taken on a foggy day...

 Wishing tree

 The SkyHigh Maze is constructed from native flora.

 Contemporary cafe and family bistro; also able to host functions and weddings.

 Australiana Tree - Sculpted on a Eucalyptus obliqua by Leigh Conkie 2003, approx 8m high

 

Open 7 days a week including public holidays

Gates open Monday to Friday 9am-10pm

Gates open Weekends 8am-10pm

Gate fee of $5 per car apply

Maze House entry fees apply

Mount Dandenong Arboretum

A collection of mature, exotic, deciduous trees and conifers from all over the world within 16+ hectares. 

The Dandenong Ranges comprise of 4 gardens:

• National Rhododendron Gardens
• Alfred Nicholas Gardens
• George Tindale Garden
• Pirianda Garden

And two arboretums:

• RJ Hamer Arboretum
• Mount Dandenong Arboretum

"...Volunteers contribute many hours of valuable service in these gardens, working with friends groups, as garden guides, providing horticultural assistance and undertaking project work."

- Parks Victoria