|
A
Gardeners Guide to Moyne Shire
by Andrea Lowenthal
Codrington
- Yambuk - Port Fairy - Koroit - Macarthur - Mortlake - Ellerslie
- Wangoom - Hawkesdale & Rosebrook
The
Moyne Shire is a diverse and ancient landscape. Part of
one of the largest volcanic plains in the world, the area is dotted
with extinct or perhaps only dormant volcanic cones. The
soils are rich and fertile. With the coming of Europeans
to this ancient continent however, the landscape changed.
Many areas of native forest were cleared both for farming purposes
and for their valuable timber resources. Some of the more
affluent settlers built large homes on their properties and planted
European trees and plants in park-like settings, for even after
two or three generations, England was still "home" for
many people. These planting's were a reminder of that longed-for
land. As new towns developed, areas were often set aside
for Botanical Gardens, the Councillors of the day employed well-known
garden designers, and with advice from the Government Botanists,
planted trees and shrubs from around the world.
Examples
of these public gardens still exist in Victoria and the Moyne
Shire is fortunate to have such gardens as well. Many of
the trees in particular are now mature specimens of trees that
are now rare and endangered. With settlement however, came
damage to the environment and evidence of this damage, such as
slat effected land and soil erosion, can be found within the Shire.
Landcare groups are tackling these problems head on with great
success. Pockets of natural bush still exist in areas such
as the Framlingham Forest, Mt Eccles National Park and the Ralph
Illidge Sanctuary.
Moyne
Shire includes many kilometres of coastline with areas featuring
predominantly lime based soils. The gardens of the coastal
regions are a product of their locality. Many hardy plants
thrive in the seaside gardens of towns such as Port Fairy and
Peterborough despite the salt laden winds, while those with a
more sheltered aspect can confidently try to grown just about
anything. Port Fairy has many delightful restored Victorian
era houses and cottages and the gardens reflect the cottage style
with many old fashioned perennials and roses. Street plantings
in Port Fairy and Koroit include magnificent specimens of the
Norfolk Island Pine (Araucaria heterophylla) many planted to commemorate
the 60th anniversary of Queen Victoria's Reign. Also of
note are the planting's of Norfolk Island Hibiscus (Langunaria
patersonii) and the New Zealand Christmas Tree or Pohutukawa (Metrosideros
excelsa), all hardy varieties in a coastal environment.
The
Moyne Shire is truly a gardeners delight. The gardens listed
here, both public and private, are as diverse as the landscape
and the nurseries will hopefully have that special plant for which
you have been searching.
*
Several Western District gardens are opened each year for the
'Open Garden Scheme'. Also of note are the Botanical Gardens
at Warrnambool, Hamilton and Portland.
*
For further information about areas of native flora, see the booklet
"Nature Reserves of Warrnambool & District" available
at the Port Fairy & Region Visitor Information Centre.
back
to top
|
Flora
Port
Fairy Botanic Gardens
Special plant collection
Escallonia
Warrnambool
Botanic Gardens
Fauna
Birding
in Port Fairy, Victoria
includes types of birds,
locations, and online map
Fish
Internet Australia
Australian
Fishing Report - Port Fairy
Submit Fishing Report on Fish Internet
Australia
Port
Fairy Sea Fishing
by Russ Allardice
Information featuring best
times and locations for catching numerous types of fish with links
to local maps.
Shearwater
of Port Fairy
The short-tailed shearwater of Griffiths
Island is commonly called the 'mutton bird'.
Southern
Right Whale Watching
with Environment
Australia
Complete listing of where
to watch for whales in Australia, including Port Fairy.
Whales
on the Net report
Whale
Watching
back
to top
Other
Port
Fairy Climate Averages
from Bureau of Meteorology (BOM)
Maximum
and Minimum Temperature Averages and Rainfall Measurements
Port
Fairy Tidal Predictions
back
to top
|
