In the charming town of Yarra Junction, The Blue Lotus Water Garden covers 14 acres of water gardens, one of the largest themed seasonal gardens in the area. With an impressive collection of waterlilies, including the Claude Monet Waterlily and Amazon Waterlilies, this is a nature lover’s paradise. The beautifully designed Lotus Wetlands, Lotus Lake and tropical water gardens are a haven to escape into. If you’re in Melbourne, a Yarra Valley tour from Melbourne is the perfect opportunity to visit the region’s wineries and scenery, so add The Blue Lotus Water Garden to your itinerary.
History of The Blue Lotus Water Garden
The garden began in 1996 when horticulturist Yvonne Cochrane had a dream. Since then, The Blue Lotus Water Garden has grown, with hundreds of seasonal display gardens and dozens of ponds featuring many aquatic plants. Now it’s a favourite in the Upper Yarra Valley, visitors come to see the waterlily display water gardens and floral water garden experiences.
What’s special about The Blue Lotus Water Garden?
1. Themed Water Gardens and Lakes
The garden’s themed water gardens are a major feature. From the fairy garden to the Flower Fairy Garden each section is a different experience. The lakes, including the largest Lotus Lake, are filled with exotic flowers like lotus and beautiful lotus, creating a magical and peaceful atmosphere.
2. Seasonal Displays
Throughout the year the garden features floral events showcasing the best of each season. In spring and summer the seasonal gardens come alive with colour and fragrance, particularly the lotus and waterlilies. The seasonal display garden is one of the garden’s main features, highlighting the changing landscape.
3. Facilities and Accessibility
The garden has wonderful facilities to make your visit comfortable for all. From accessible parking to coach parking for large groups, the garden is visitor-friendly for all mobility levels. The Lake Bridge Walk is a scenic path where visitors can enjoy the garden while being accessible to those with sufficient mobility.
4. Retail Plant Nursery and Garden Shop
If you want to take a piece of the garden home with you, the Retail Plant Nursery and Garden Shop has a range of plants, garden accessories and unique gifts. This is the perfect place to buy a souvenir of your visit, whether it’s a beautifully crafted item from one of the gift shops or a plant from the nursery.
Best Activities at Garden
1. Photography and Nature Walks
The garden is a photographer’s dream. The floral display garden and waterlily flowers are picture-perfect. Whether you’re capturing the colours of the Lotus Wetlands or the peacefulness of the pictorial ponds, there’s no shortage of beautiful scenes to snap.
2. Paddle Boats on the Water
Rent a paddle boat and get up close to the ponds and lakes. The serene Lotus Lake and it’s surrounds is a peaceful escape, where you can see the lotus flowers from the water.
3. Special Events and Festivals
Throughout the year, The Blue Lotus Water Garden hosts floral events such as the annual Lotus Festival. These events celebrate the garden’s seasonal blooms, and you can enjoy live music, local food vendors and gardening workshops.
4. Shopping and Souvenirs
Visit the Retail Plant Nursery and Garden Shop and take a piece of the garden home with you. The gift shops have a range of unique garden themed products from handmade items to exclusive garden tools.
Best Time to Visit
Best time to visit is during bloom season which is from late November to April when the lotus flowers are in full bloom. During this time the seasonal gardens are at their best and you can see the waterlily flowers and other exotic blooms.
Getting Here
The Blue Lotus Water Garden is located off the Warburton Hwy, 90 minutes from Melbourne. Coach parking and plenty of parking for visitors. There is space for larger groups and visitors who want to spend the day at the garden. Autopia Tours offer coach services to the garden and surrounding areas.
Nearby Attractions
If you’re visiting the Blue Lotus Water Garden for the day, consider visiting:
- Warburton Trail: A scenic walking and cycling path with views of the Victorian countryside.
- Healesville Sanctuary: Get up close to Australian wildlife, including koalas, kangaroos and platypus.
- Yarra Valley Wineries: Combine your garden visit with a trip to one of the region’s award winning wineries for wine tasting and gourmet lunch. Consider joining a Yarra Valley wine tour to visit the best of the region’s wineries.
Conclusion
The Blue Lotus Water Garden is a beautiful haven in the Yarra Valley where you can unwind, explore and enjoy the natural beauty. With its acres of water gardens, floral display gardens and themed waterlily gardens there’s something for everyone. Whether you’re visiting during one of the many floral events, walking across the Lake Bridge Walk or taking in the views of the Lotus Wetlands The Blue Lotus Water Garden is a secret you shouldn’t miss.
FAQs
When should I visit The Blue Lotus Water Garden?
Bloom season is late November to April.
Are there guided tours?
Yes if you want to learn more about the plants and the history of the garden.
Can I bring my dog?
No to protect the garden.
Is The Blue Lotus Water Garden wheelchair accessible?
Yes wheelchair parking and paths including the Lake Bridge Walk for mobility impaired guests.
Can I buy plants or souvenirs?
Yes Retail Plant Nursery and Garden Shop has plants, garden accessories and gifts.
