Those of you who know me will realise how biased I am when I say this but The Ian Potter Foundation Children's Garden is a must-see when you are in Melbourne. It is located within Melbourne's Royal Botanic Gardens near the Observatory Cafe.
Did you know:
- The Magic Pudding Sculpture, which forms the centre-piece to the gardens, is the only non-plant related sculpture inside the Botanic Gardens.
- This Sculpture is designed (engineered) to be climbed on by children. If your child is ever told off for climbing the sculpture I want to know about it.
- Likewise, the plants in the garden are designed for touching and climbing. It is a tactile experience for children.
- The garden is closed everyday at 4pm so that it can be repaired & rejuvenated after all that touching and climbing.
- There is a magnificent kitchen garden where vegies and herbs can be examined by children. There is also a sand-pit full of black sand for kids who like to get really dirty.
- Some of the water features are currently turned off due to water restrictions. The pond is still full.
This is a world class garden that our children just LOVE to explore. Take your children and let them discover the magic for themselves (and let them climb on the Magic Pudding Sculpture).
8 comments:
Between you and Fairlie, Tourism Victoria are missing out on two great ambassadors for the State. Quite often those that live locally forget what beauty we have in our own backyard.
Magic does happen there!
yes, now I just need someone to visit Sydney and tell me what to do here...
I second your endorsement of this great asset to Melbourne.
And the Magic Pudding sculpture is the definite highlight of the Garden...the Imposible Princess said so. It reminds me a little of George Frampton’s bronze sculpture of Peter Pan in Kensington Gardens in London...
That black sand is particularly impressive if the kids are already wet before they discover it. What amazed me was that our kids were the only ones wet, barefoot and covered with black sand.
Crafty: Yes, gotta love the black sand. The mums I saw last week were steering a wide berth...
Fairlie: Ha Ha. And yet it reminds me of the "Make Way for Ducklings" sculpture in the Boston Public Gardens...
This is definitely one to add to the tourist visit when I'm next in Melbourne with the girls.
As to where to go in Sydney, I'm on the upper side of the North Shore and as such know more about things "up here". I could note down a few if you want to venture up into the wilds....
Absolutely, I'm always looking for things to add to my "must do in Sydney" list.
Wow, cool post, very informative.
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