Bogong - Clover Arboretum
Clover Arboretum is a peaceful and historically significant garden on Bogong High Plains Road, approximately 12 km from Mount Beauty. The arboretum occupies the site of the former Clover Village, a small settlement established for workers and their families involved in the construction of the Kiewa Hydroelectric Scheme.
The village was built between 1942 and 1945 by the State Electricity Commission of Victoria (SEC). Seventeen houses were constructed on terraces cut into the hillside to accommodate workers associated with Clover Dam and Power Station.
Families from several countries, including Germany, France, England and Yugoslavia, lived in the settlement. They created gardens around their homes, planting exotic trees and shrubs and constructing stone retaining walls, steps and pathways.
The village was renamed Lower Bogong in 1943. The houses were eventually removed in 1956 because the damp, cold conditions and limited sunlight made the location unsuitable for permanent habitation.
The SEC subsequently developed picnic facilities, and the site was officially proclaimed an arboretum in 1973.
Today, visitors can wander through the former village site, exploring the terraces, stone steps and walls that remain from the settlement. Mature exotic trees, including deciduous species, provide a beautiful setting, particularly during autumn when the foliage changes colour.
Although the original houses have disappeared, the surviving gardens and landscaping provide a fascinating reminder of the families who once lived here.
The arboretum suffered significant damage during the January 2003 bushfires, when numerous trees and shrubs were destroyed. Restoration work by the Friends of Clover Arboretum and Parks Victoria has helped preserve the historic gardens.
Clover Arboretum Map
Features include:
- Historic site of the former Clover Village, with remnants of 17 house sites
- Terraced gardens with mature exotic trees and shrubs
- Original stone retaining walls, steps and pathways
- Walking paths through the former settlement
- Interpretive signs describing the history of the village
- Rustic wooden seating and picnic tables
- Beautiful autumn foliage and moss-covered stonework
- Small roadside parking area
Clover Arboretum is listed as a place of local historical, social and aesthetic significance in the Alpine Shire Heritage Study.
How to Get There:
Located approximately 12 km from Mount Beauty towards Falls Creek, just beyond Clover Dam and before the turn-off to Bogong Village. There is a small parking area beside the road.
Access for Dogs:
Dogs are not permitted within Alpine National Park, except where specifically authorised.
Location
Bogong High Plains Road, Bogong 3699 View Map
Web Links
→ www.parks.vic.gov.au/places-to-see/parks/alpine-national-park
