Once described as the ‘Garden of Victoria’ by the first Victorian Government botanist Ferdinand von Mueller, the Grampians is home to more than one third of the state’s flora, and has the highest number of wildflower species endemic to the region compared to anywhere else in Australia. The region has about 20 species that can’t be found elsewhere.
Since 1937 enthusiastic and dedicated Halls Gap locals have been driving the Grampians Wildflower Show – one of Victoria’s most popular attractions for those who love gardens, wildflowers, nature and the Grampians.
For decades, the event has appealed to visitors of all ages from around the world and our high-quality children’s entertainment always makes the event a popular destination for families and school holiday travellers.
The rugged sandstone escarpments of the Grampians mountain range – with their bizarre rock formations – the gentle slopes on the western side of the ranges and the low-lying areas between and around the ranges support different plant communities. Vegetation varies from sub-alpine communities to mountain forest to open woodland to heathland and swamps.
The core purpose of the event is to promote the beauty and diversity of one of Victoria’s largest and most botanically diverse national parks.
How we get the flowers
The plants we have on show come from a number of reliable sources. We have a permit from the Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning (DELWP) to collect from the wild cuttings from plants that are not on any of the restricted lists. Owners of natural bush blocks also allow us to collect carefully from their properties. The native nurseries and members of the Australian Plant Society (APS) at Pomonal provide us with plants they grow, as does a local orchid expert. With support from DSE, Parks Victoria, APS and others, we also have our own Botanic Garden of Grampians Flora from which we can collect some of the rarer plants.
The Friends Of Grampians Gariwerd (FOGG) http://friendsofgrampiansgarierd.org.au work in close co-operation with the local staff of Parks Victoria to encourage and educate people to understand and enjoy, while conserving, the Grampians National Park. Why not become a member?
There are also a number of ways you can get involved in the park through volunteering. Contact Caity O’Reilly COReilly@conservationvolunteers.com.au