Cobden - Tandarook Botanical Park

Tandarook Botanical Park is an attractive garden and passive recreation reserve created through the rehabilitation of a former brick quarry and rubbish tip. The park has established trees, open lawns, garden beds, a rose garden, walking paths and plenty of space for a picnic or quiet break.

The picturesque park is regularly used for family gatherings, weddings and community events. Recent improvements include a new 1.8-metre-wide concrete path providing additional access points and connecting the barbecue area with the rose garden, new park furniture and an extended shelter.

There is no children's playground, but the lawns provide space for informal games and recreation. Apex Park Playground and Lake Cobden's playgrounds are located nearby.

Features include:

Established trees, shrubs and garden beds
Rose garden
Open lawns suitable for informal play
Concrete and garden walking paths
Rotunda
Covered barbecue area
Picnic tables and seating
Public toilets
New park furniture
Wide concrete path suitable for prams and mobility devices
Commemorative stone and plaque celebrating the 1992 Cobden Connection
Cobden Story heritage storyboard
Suitable setting for picnics, family gatherings, weddings and community events

History:

The site was originally bushland before being purchased by local builder H. H. Clarke during the early 1900s. Clarke employed English potter and brickmaker Mr Gravett to manage a brickmaking operation, which commenced in October 1908.

Machinery was transferred from an earlier brickworks on Camperdown Road, and another kiln was constructed in 1914 to meet demand for locally produced bricks. The distinctive Cobden red bricks were used to construct several local houses and Thompsons Hotel. Pottery made at the kiln was also displayed in Clarke's shop.

The quarry closed after its clay supply was exhausted. The excavated gully subsequently became Cobden's rubbish tip and continued in that role until 1984. Problems involving smoke, vermin and public health eventually resulted in the tip being relocated.

Community members then worked with the former Shire of Heytesbury to rehabilitate the damaged land. Work on the botanical park began in 1989, with considerable assistance from local volunteers and community organisations.

Local historian and councillor Alma MacDonald regarded the transformation of the site as one of her proudest community achievements. The park's rotunda was constructed by building students from Cobden Technical School.

A stone and plaque in the park commemorate the 1992 Cobden Connection, which brought together people with connections to towns named Cobden around the world.

Walking:

Paths meander through the lawns and garden areas. A newer 1.8-metre-wide concrete path provides improved access from Victoria Street and links the barbecue area with the rose garden.

The park is also included in the Tandarook Loop section of the Cobden Story Trail. The self-guided trail connects the park with other historic buildings, organisations and places around southern Cobden.

Access for Dogs:

Dogs are permitted, but Tandarook Botanical Park is not a designated off-leash dog park. Keep dogs leashed and under effective control, clean up after them and obey any signs within the reserve.

Location

10 Victoria Street, Cobden 3266 View Map

Web Links

→ cobden.org.au/tandarook-botanical-park/