Ballarat Fernery Landscaping

An artist's render of the fernery landscaping. Credit: Tamsin O’Reilly for Andrea Proctor Landscapes

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A fernery has been a central feature of the Ballarat Botanical Gardens since 1884

In 2021, a new steel framed replica of the original 1884 Gothic inspired Fernery Entrance was completed, and now an exciting new fern-inspired landscape is being installed.

The new landscape will include a new entrance from Wendouree Parade, a fern frond inspired forecourt in front of the fernery, internal landscaping featuring Australian ferns and further landscaping at the rear of the structure.

The new landscaping will create a new tourist and resident destination within the Ballarat Botanical Gardens. The designs will also connect the fernery and the rest of the gardens, with footpaths providing access to the North and South Gardens and the Robert Clark Conservatory.

The project is made possible through a funding partnership between Friends of the Ballarat Botanical Gardens, Ballarat Botanical Gardens Foundation, DEECA – Growing Victoria’s Botanica Gardens Grant, and the City of Ballarat.

**Funding Contributions to the Ballarat Fernery Landscaping**
Friends of the Ballarat Botanical Gardens	$200,000
Ballarat Botanical Gardens Foundation	$50,000
DEECA – Growing Victoria’s Botanica Gardens Grant	$150,000
City of Ballarat	$340,000

Landscape Architect Andrea Proctor Landscapes has designed the new space with AQL Landscapes constructing the new area.

The new Ballarat Botanical Gardens Fernery building was opened for the first time to residents and visitors as part of the 70th Ballarat Begonia Festival in March 2022.

The Ballarat Botanical Gardens has continuously showcased a fernery building since the 1870’s making the Fernery a rich part of Ballarat’s History, and one of the few botanic gardens in the state of Victoria to do so.

Works on the fernery project began in July 2019 with the demolition of the former fernery building. Construction on the new fernery building commenced in June 2020.

The new fernery is a steel framed replica of the original timber building. It was manufactured off-site and brought in once the foundation work was complete. It is clad in timber to match the original building.

FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions)

When did works on the fernery project begin?

Works began in July 2019 with the demolition of the former fernery building. Construction of the new $1.7 million stage one structure commenced in June 2020 and was completed in 2021.

Is the new fernery a recreation?

Yes. The new fernery is a steel framed replica of the original gothic style fernery that existed in the mid-1880s. It is clad in timber to match the original building.

What will the landscaping include?

The works will create a new entrance to the Ballarat Botanical Gardens via Wendouree Parade, with the introduction of a fernery forecourt designed around the Claxton Monument.

The entrance will include additional seating in the form of bluestone rock walls with timber sections, matching the existing bluestone walls and the fernery cladding. Two new entrances at the front of the structure will also be created.

The landscaping inside the fernery will feature a large Elk Horn fern, which now sits in the Gardens Nursery.

Inspired by 19th Century garden design features, paving patterned in the shape of fern fronds will lead from the Wendouree Parade entrance to the fernery while the landscaping will also feature timber and bluestone seats.

Two small Juneberries at the front of the fernery will be removed. All other trees will be retained and protected.

What will happen to the existing fernery infrastructure?

The existing fernery infrastructure will be retained.

Future projects associated with the fernery and the broader Botanical Gardens precinct will be considered as part of the review and update of the Ballarat Botanical Gardens Master Plan.

Work to develop the Master Plan will begin this financial year.