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History
The Sale Botanic Gardens has a long and chequered history since first being gazetted in 1860 as a Botanic Gardens.
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History

With the 21st Century fast approaching, the formation of the Friends of the Sale Botanic Gardens with support from Wellington Shire Council, saw the Gardens begin to re-awaken from its slumber.  

Twenty years on, and the community has truly rediscovered the Gardens, with over 100,000 visitors to the precinct each year.  

The Gardens today occupies 5 hectares on the eastern periphery of Lake Guthridge. Prior to European settlement, the precinct was well visited by the Gunaikurnai, the Traditional Owners of the land.

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Historical Timeline

Browse through the significant events that have helped shape the Botanic Gardens.

1860
34 acres were reserved for the Gardens on the eastern banks of what was then known as Eastern Swamp. Seeds were obtained from Ferdinand von Mueller, Director Melbourne Botanic Gardens.
1867
The Acclimatisation Society of Victoria offered the Sale Gardens a small number of Sambar deer.
1870
Council appointed the Gardens first curator, George Braithwaite.
1872
To celebrate Queen Victoria’s birthday, the community came together to plant a large number of trees and shrubs.
1875
Eucalyptus globulus (Blue Gums) were planted en masse as it was suggested that the species were able to absorb the ‘swamp vapours’ believed to be linked to outbreaks of fever in the Sale population – there are potentially a couple remaining in the area of the Children’s Playspace.
1881
William Guilfoyle, Director of Melbourne Botanic Gardens, visited the site and expressed high praise for the site, the soil and the vistas over the newly created Lake Guthridge. 400 trees and shrubs were planted by Councillors John English and Robert Topping in accordance with Guilfoyle’s suggestions. 
1890
During the 1890's depression forced the halving of government grants which resulted in the neglect of the Gardens.
1909
The rise of Victoria Park, named in honour of the late monarch, saw the focus of Council shift away from the Botanic Gardens.
1922
Sale Botanic Gardens was converted to a Golf Course and was home of the Sale Golf Club.
1950
Sale Golf Club vacated the Gardens and sheep grazing leases were granted.
1959
Rockley Tennis Club granted use to construct tennis courts in the Gardens.
1965
Sale Bowls Club relocates clubhouse to the new home on the corner of Foster Street and Guthridge Parade.
1967
Council flirted with the idea of re-developing the site into a Botanic Gardens.
1968
Council decide to construct the Lex Glover Swimming Complex rather than re-develop the Botanic Gardens.
1972
Fauna enclosure was relocated from Victoria Park to the Sale Botanic Gardens.
1986
Construction of the adventure playground.
2000
Friends of the Sale Botanic Gardens, with assistance of the Federal Government ‘Work for the Dole’ program constructed the Catherine Drew Sensory Garden. This was the kickstart of the re-awakening the Gardens.
2002
Council undertook the Sale Botanic Gardens Conservation Analysis and Conservation Policy.
2003
Council engaged John Patrick and Associates to deliver the Masterplan – the guiding document still informing development of the Gardens nearly 20 years on.
2009
Designed by Andrew Laidlaw, RBG Victoria Landscape Architect, Council constructed the Summer Walk along the eastern bank of Lake Guthridge.
2010
150th Anniversary Celebrations of the Sale Botanic Gardens saw a range of community events to mark the occasion.
2015
Council complete the initial Sale Botanic Gardens Management Plan to aide in the management and maintenance of this highly valued community asset.
2016
Council undertook a review of the Masterplan with key outcomes including the Garden for Life to replace the fauna enclosure.
2018
Fauna enclosure is closed. The single macropod remaining is rehomed to an appropriate facility.
2019
Council completes the Andrew Laidlaw designed Garden for Life.
2020
BGANZ Care for the Rare project begins with planning to redevelop the existing Rare or Threatened Species beds. A focus of planting recognised threatened species from within Wellington Shire.
2021
Climate Matched Collection completed.
1860
34 acres were reserved for the Gardens on the eastern banks of what was then known as Eastern Swamp. Seeds were obtained from Ferdinand von Mueller, Director Melbourne Botanic Gardens.
1867
The Acclimatisation Society of Victoria offered the Sale Gardens a small number of Sambar deer.
1870
Council appointed the Gardens first curator, George Braithwaite.
1872
To celebrate Queen Victoria’s birthday, the community came together to plant a large number of trees and shrubs.
1875
Eucalyptus globulus (Blue Gums) were planted en masse as it was suggested that the species were able to absorb the ‘swamp vapours’ believed to be linked to outbreaks of fever in the Sale population – there are potentially a couple remaining in the area of the Children’s Playspace.
1881
William Guilfoyle, Director of Melbourne Botanic Gardens, visited the site and expressed high praise for the site, the soil and the vistas over the newly created Lake Guthridge. 400 trees and shrubs were planted by Councillors John English and Robert Topping in accordance with Guilfoyle’s suggestions. 
1890
During the 1890's depression forced the halving of government grants which resulted in the neglect of the Gardens.
1909
The rise of Victoria Park, named in honour of the late monarch, saw the focus of Council shift away from the Botanic Gardens.
1922
Sale Botanic Gardens was converted to a Golf Course and was home of the Sale Golf Club.
1950
Sale Golf Club vacated the Gardens and sheep grazing leases were granted.
1959
Rockley Tennis Club granted use to construct tennis courts in the Gardens.
1965
Sale Bowls Club relocates clubhouse to the new home on the corner of Foster Street and Guthridge Parade.
1967
Council flirted with the idea of re-developing the site into a Botanic Gardens.
1968
Council decide to construct the Lex Glover Swimming Complex rather than re-develop the Botanic Gardens.
1972
Fauna enclosure was relocated from Victoria Park to the Sale Botanic Gardens.
1986
Construction of the adventure playground.
2000
Friends of the Sale Botanic Gardens, with assistance of the Federal Government ‘Work for the Dole’ program constructed the Catherine Drew Sensory Garden. This was the kickstart of the re-awakening the Gardens.
2002
Council undertook the Sale Botanic Gardens Conservation Analysis and Conservation Policy.
2003
Council engaged John Patrick and Associates to deliver the Masterplan – the guiding document still informing development of the Gardens nearly 20 years on.
2009
Designed by Andrew Laidlaw, RBG Victoria Landscape Architect, Council constructed the Summer Walk along the eastern bank of Lake Guthridge.
2010
150th Anniversary Celebrations of the Sale Botanic Gardens saw a range of community events to mark the occasion.
2015
Council complete the initial Sale Botanic Gardens Management Plan to aide in the management and maintenance of this highly valued community asset.
2016
Council undertook a review of the Masterplan with key outcomes including the Garden for Life to replace the fauna enclosure.
2018
Fauna enclosure is closed. The single macropod remaining is rehomed to an appropriate facility.
2019
Council completes the Andrew Laidlaw designed Garden for Life.
2020
BGANZ Care for the Rare project begins with planning to redevelop the existing Rare or Threatened Species beds. A focus of planting recognised threatened species from within Wellington Shire.
2021
Climate Matched Collection completed.

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Image Gallery

Historical images supplied courtesy of Peter & Ann Synan.

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The Sale Botanic Gardens are set on five hectares and feature a diverse collection of mature trees and living collections.
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Official website of the Sale Botanic Gardens © 2023.
The Sale Botanic Gardens are owned and operated by Wellington Shire Council.
Wellington Shire Council acknowledges the Gunaikurnai People as the traditional owners of the land that is now Wellington Shire.