Nestled at the foot of the Yarrarange National Park, hidden deep in the Far East suburb of Melbourne`s Yarra Junction, there`s a side of elegant cave days - the Blue Lotus Watergardens Blue Lotus Water Gardens.
A garden dominated by water plants, it boasts thousands of exotic lotus and water lilies, the world`s largest lily, hundreds of banana trees and numerous other beautiful plants, as well as dozens of artificial lakes, ponds, lagoons and even waterfalls. It is considered the largest of its kind in the Southern Hemisphere.
Each year, the gardener Geoff and Yvonne Cochrane open the beautiful and tranquil water garden to visitors across Australia and around the world, and from now until April 13, visitors can find a new world of colorful lotus and water lilies.
Highlights of the Blue Lotus Water Garden: Monet Lake Monet`s Lake
A major feature of the garden is "Lake Monet," the largest lake in the garden with 11 million litres of water. There are more than 70 species of water lilies in the lake, including water lilies in the garden of the Givigny residence of French impressionist painter Monet. Every year when the lotus blooms, the picture depicted in Monet`s oil painting, The Waterly Lilly, is reproduced here.
There are also 300-metre walking trails across the center of the lake, with 11 bridges including the famous red arch bridge. The lake is littered with native waterfowl such as big egrets, jellyfish chickens, lutes and all kinds of ducks, and there are many amazing photo opportunities here.
Lotus Lake and Golden Lotus
The largest lotus in the entire garden grows here, with tens of thousands competing to open, including Carolina Queen Lotus and Cream Lutea. Visitors can stroll through sandy trails in the shade of banana trees and palms and enjoy the wonderful views of sage, anchovy, fleshy plants and banana lilies.
Another surprise on the trail was the Golden Lotus Show. The golden lotus was bred by Geoff Cochrane with ancient lotus seeds introduced from China nearly 20 years ago. Its petals are more, the disk is bigger, has 88 petals, symbolizes the jubilation and the richness! The golden lotus flower grows in the separate pond on the east side of Lotus Lake and will bloom brilliantly from February to March.
Native Lotus and Water Lily Show
The show, which debuted in the garden in 2020, will feature the most stunning series of tropical water lilies and native lotus flowers in northern Australia in the greenhouses built in particular. Considered to be the only such exhibition in southern Australia, the show doesn`t have to worry about crocodiles in northern Australia, and it`s a great chance to have a close look at these beautiful flowers, best viewed from February.
Giant Amazon Water Lily Giants of the Amazon
Giant Amazonian water lilies are on display in the Tropical World Complex, home to the largest known species of water lilies, including the hybrids Victoria Longwood. These stunning water lilies are famous for having the largest leaves of aquatic plants, which can reach more than 2 metres in diameter and have flowers larger than a plate.
Old Japanese Lotus - Oga Lotus
You know what? Lotus has existed for thousands of years, even longer than dinosaurs. In the Japanese-style pond of the water garden, visitors will see one of the oldest known varieties of lotus, believed to be more than 2,000 years old. The ancient lotus was discovered in 1951 by Japanese botanist Dr. Ichiro Oga during archaeological excavations on the Hanamigawa River in Chiba City. Dr. Oga succeeded in discovering three ancient lotus seeds in the sleeping quagmire, one of which survived and blossomed the following year, giving people a glimpse of the older lotus, the famous Oga Lotus.
Flower Fairy Garden Flower Fairy Garden
The children are not forgotten in this fairyland. On the shore of Silver Lotus Lagoon, there`s a flower fairy garden complete with dreamy little house, rainbow slides, wishing wells and the latest magician. Every weekend, flower fairies show up to tell stories to children. The best part is, children enter for free! Children will certainly fall in love with this amazing fairytale world!
The Blue Lotus Water Garden also features a variety of amenities such as a coffee shop, ice cream shop, gift shop, picnic and barbecue area, as well as Australia`s best lotus and water lily nurseries and gift shops and garden shops. Choose a clear day, sit at the lakeside coffee shop order a cup of coffee, enjoy the picturesque waterscape, in the green mountains, garden lotus fragrance to have a good day!
Blue Lotus Water Garden Blue Lotus Water Garden
- Open from 26 December 2019 to 13 April 2020 7 days a week
- Time:10:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m.
- Address:2628 Warburton Hwy, Yarra Junction VIC 3797
- Tel:0359 7206 1
- Web site: www.bluelotus.com.au
- Admission:$20 for adults;$17.5 for students and seniors; free for children (accompanied by adults under 15).
