Ballarat Botanical Gardens & Lake Wendouree

I had intended to visit the Art Gallery in the afternoon, but gave up after discovering all the parking seemed to require coins (which I didn’t have). Instead I headed out to Lake Wendouree and the Botanical Gardens.

I was fortunate that the weather remained dry enough that I could walk around the area without getting too wet – the sun even made a few valiant (although ultimately unsuccessful) attempt to come out from behind the clouds.

The Robert Clark Consevatory was hosting a display of tuberous begonias, an incredible rainbow of colour.

Near the gardens is the Ballarat Ex-prisoners of war memorial. The names of more than 35,000 Australians who have been held prisoner of war in various conflicts are recorded here.

The lake itself, as well as a wetlands area at the North of the Botanical Gardens, attracts a lot of birds. There are a lot of picnic areas, and a walking track runs around the entire lake.