Nature & natural history museums in Victoria

The Royal Botanic Gardens Victoria is a significant botanical institution that spans across two locations - Melbourne and Cranbourne. The Melbourne Gardens, founded in 1846, sprawls across 38 hectares of land, showcasing nearly 50,000 individual plants from 8,500 different species. On the other hand, the Cranbourne Gardens, established in 1970, is a 363-hectare site dedicated to Australian plants, featuring native bushland, heathlands, wetlands, and woodlands.

Werribee Open Range Zoo, located about 32 kilometres south-west of Melbourne, Victoria, Australia, is an African themed zoo. It is part of the Zoological Parks and Gardens Board or Zoos Victoria, which also includes Melbourne Zoo and Healesville Sanctuary. This gives visitors a chance to experience a variety of wildlife in one location.

In the 1980s, Melbourne Zoo pioneered the concept of 'bioclimatic zones'. This innovative approach involves grouping animals that share a common habitat in the wild together in captivity. This not only enhances the wellbeing of the animals but also provides visitors with a more authentic and educational experience.

Phillip Island Nature Park spans over 1805 hectares, encompassing several distinct areas. These include Pyramid Rock, Rhyll Inlet, Seal Rocks, and Cape Woolamai. Each of these areas offers unique viewing and attraction spots, providing visitors with a diverse range of experiences and sights to explore.

The Melbourne Museum, the largest museum in the southern hemisphere, is situated in the Carlton Gardens, a public park in Melbourne. It shares this location with the Royal Exhibition Building, a structure that is over a century old. This location provides a unique blend of natural beauty and historical architecture, making it an interesting place to visit.

Ballarat Wildlife Park, located in Ballarat, Australia, is an interactive wildlife park that was established by Greg Parker in 1987. This park offers a unique opportunity for visitors to interact with a variety of wildlife species in a natural setting.

Halls Gap Zoo, located approximately 7 kilometres from Halls Gap in Victoria, Australia, is a sprawling 53-acre zoo that offers stunning views of the Grampians National Park. This location not only provides a unique setting for the zoo but also adds to the overall visitor experience.

This collection of gemstone so typical for Australia has won many awards. Interesting exhibition about its origin.