By Mikayla van Loon
The itch to get away from home, travel further than a limited kilometre radius and experience the outdoors is far greater than it ever was before with this lockdown coming to an end.
The Dandenong Ranges have so much to offer by exploring the natural wonders of the many parks and reserves but a number of popular tourist destinations are still closed because of the storms.
Places like the Dandenong Ranges Botanic Gardens saw 78,500 people visit between August and November in 2019 and Parks Victoria ranger team leader Terence Moon said he expects visitors will be eager to return.
“Parks Victoria is expecting our spring loving visitors to return to the gardens with the easing of Covid restrictions,” he said.
The beauty of the Botanic Gardens is it is forever changing with the seasons, blooming all year round depending on the climate.
But most visitors flock each year to see the 15,000 rhododendrons, 12,000 azaleas, 3,000 camellias and 250,000 daffodils draped in colour during spring and autumn.
The Botanic Gardens can’t be missed in summer either as the cool-climate garden is the perfect escape from the heat, where a picnic can be enjoyed on the Cherry Lawn amongst the conifers and the blue and white hydrangeas which will be in full flower.
“It is one of seven Dandenong Ranges Gardens properties, a diverse group of gardens with significant botanic, heritage and tourism value,” Mr Moon said.
“As always, staff are excited to welcome Melburnians back into the Dandenong Ranges Botanic Gardens and celebrate their commitment to keeping each other safe by following COVID-19 restrictions.
“We hope our visitors enjoy the outstanding display of rhododendrons and other spring flowering plants.”
Although the Dandenong Ranges Botanic Gardens, R.J Hammer Arboretum and Eagle’s Nest Picnic Ground have reopened to the public, Parks Victoria district manager Victoria Purdue said even if it looks safe, rocks, trees and soil may continue to move from the wet weather.
“As the days grow warmer and wildflowers start to bloom across our landscape, we’d encourage visitors to prioritise their safety, respect nature and rangers who are continuing to clear severe storm damage at the Dandenong and Yarra Ranges,” she said.
“While local rangers have cleared more than 100 kilometres of roads, walking trails and picnic grounds throughout the district, closures and essential works at key locations such as the 1000 Steps (Kokoda Memorial Track) and William Ricketts Sanctuary will need to continue into 2022 as debris is cleared and hazardous trees assessed and made safe.”
Ms Purdue said it is important for visitors to honour site closures and to read the signage even with park rangers conducting patrols to ensure people remain safe.
Parks Victoria is also working collaboratively with Victoria Police and Yarra Ranges Council in anticipation of increased visitation in the region over coming weeks.
Please refer to the Parks Victoria website for up to date information relating to closures and change of conditions – www.parks.vic.gov.au
