King of the (Wombat) hill: Daylesford gardens upgraded
28/11/2025Daylesford’s 150-year-old Wombat Hill Botanic Gardens have entered a new chapter.
The heritage-listed gardens were developed during the Gold Rush, and they remain a popular destination, showcasing the history and beauty of the area.
With our support, the gardens are now an even better place to visit with re-imagined gardens, accessible pathways and restoration works on heritage features.
The project supported 10 jobs across various stages of development, including a restoration of the central water basin to re-establish it as the centrepiece of Wombat Hill, as well as refurbishment of the conservatory to allow for art displays.
More people of all ages and abilities will also be able to enjoy the gardens, thanks to accessibility upgrades to the network of pathways. They are now better placed to guide visitors to key areas of Wombat Hill and encourage people to explore the environment.
We supported these upgrades with a $500,000 investment - one of several projects we’ve supported in recent years to help boost Hepburn Shire’s visitor economy.
Ongoing works at Bullarto Station are recreating the historic location, providing visitors with a window into the past and attracting more people to experience the joys of the Daylesford Spa Country Railway.
Meanwhile, the Djuwang Baring Creswick Mountain Bike Trails continue to draw riders from across Victoria and beyond to experience the thrills of 60 kilometres of trails that guide riders through the beautiful heart of Dja Dja Wurrung Country.
These projects are part of our ongoing commitment to making our regional cities and towns even better places to live, work, invest, study, and explore.