In 1965 the Lillydale Shire (now Yarra Ranges Council) allowed Mt Dandenong Horticultural Society to develop an Australian plant garden on a two-hectare council owned site at the rear of the Kalorama Memorial Reserve in the Dandenong Ranges.
Enthusiastic society members cleared the blackberries, fenced the site and the first stage of the Karwarra Hall was completed when the garden officially opened in 1971.
Talented designer Kath Deery guided Karwarra’s early development and her design still informs the garden today. The garden includes a rockery by Ellis Stones. In 1989, management of the garden was resumed by the Council. In 2006, council established a Master Plan. Changes such as the new entrance, improved access paths through the garden and ongoing renovation and rejuvination continue to ensure the garden is always an exciting place to visit.
Karwarra’s purpose is to provide inspiration for those looking to create their own garden, however small, using Australian plants and ensures a colourful and diverse display of Australian plants year-round.
Karwarra has an important role in plant conservation and holds the Garden Plant Conservaton Association of Australia (GPCAA) Boronia and Waratah collections as well as other significant plant collections. The ‘Friends of Karwarra’ support the garden by opening the garden on weekends, assisting with plant propagation and garden maintenance, with promotion of the garden and various other activities. A small retail plant nursery allows visitors to purchase Australian native plants in tubes or pots for their own garden.
‘Karwarra’ means ‘place of many flowers’.
Karwarra is open Tues-Fri 10am – 4pm & Sat & Sun 1pm – 4pm. Sorry no pets.
The garden closes during Extreme Weather and on High Fire Danger days.
www.yarraranges.vic.gov.au/karwarra Ph: 03 97284256