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Close up of the cast-iron lace at the entrance of the building.
Built in 1850-51 as an Under Gardener’s Cottage, to the design of Henry Ginn, Colonial Architect, Plant Craft Cottage is the earliest of a number of buildings within the Gardens with a heritage listing.
Early in the 20th century, the weatherboard extension with its typical bull-nosed verandah and cast-iron lace, was added and this now forms the entrance to the building.
Close up of the cast-iron lace at the entrance of the building.

Plant Craft Cottage in the Royal Botanic Gardens Melbourne

Henry Ginn 1850

Description

Built in 1851, Plant Craft Cottage is the oldest building in a public space in Victoria. The heritage-listed building and two of the original rooms are used today to host craft workshops within the tranquil setting of the Royal Botanic Gardens Melbourne. The domestic architecture of the cottage was typical in England at the time, and here it is represented by the steeply pitched slate roof, ornate chimneys, brick recesses, lead-light windows and decorative barge boards.

What's On

The Plant Craft Cottage is a historic building built in 1851. More than 170 years old, it is set within a gorgeous cottage garden and is home to all of the Friends of the Royal Botanic Gardens' talented craft groups.

Children's Activities

Fantastic Friends for Kids: use cones, seeds or gum nuts to make an imaginative creature.

Images: (1) Cast-Iron lace. (2) Plant Craft Cottage entrance and garden. (3) Plant Craft Cottage weatherboard extension. (4) Cast-Iron lace. All photos: Friends of the Royal Botanic Gardens.

Important Details

Time & Date

Saturday 27 + Sunday 28 July
Open access 10am-2pm

Enter Melbourne Gardens via Northern Gate (previously H Gate), Alexandra Ave, South Yarra VIC 3141

ACCESSIBILITY

Partially wheelchair accessible

Location

Plant House Cottage, Royal Botanic Gardens, Alexandra Ave, South Yarra VIC 3141

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Acknowledgement of Country

Our programming exists on what always was and always will be the land of the people of the Kulin nation. We pay our respects to Elders past, present and emerging, as well as to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in the wider Melbourne community and beyond. Indigenous sovereignty has never been ceded in Australia and we are mindful of this in everything we do, given our focus on the modern built environment.

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Built By Efront

Our programming exists on what always was and always will be the land of the people of the Kulin nation. We pay our respects to Elders past, present and emerging, as well as to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in the wider Melbourne community and beyond. Indigenous sovereignty has never been ceded in Australia and we are mindful of this in everything we do, given our focus on the modern built environment.

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