Melbourne , Victoria, Australia — Oceania
Herbarium Discovery Walk
| | Royal Botanic Gardens - Melbourne | |
Photographed by Dean Barton-Ancliffe, March 30, 2026
1. Herbarium Discovery Walk Marker
The National Herbarium of Victoria
The National Herbarium of Victoria holds Australia's oldest and most comprehensive collection of preserved plants and fungi. Established in 1853 by Ferdinand von Mueller, the Herbarium now holds more than 1.2 million specimens, along with botanical literature, artwork and historical material.
The Herbarium is a working scientific institution. Our scientists discover, describe and name plants and fungi and investigate their relationships and evolutionary history.
Discover the secrets of the Herbarium.
(Photo 1) Anemone coronaria collected in Florence (Italy), 1852. This specimen was part of Otto Sonder's vast private herbarium, sourced from all over the world. In 1883, The Victorian Government purchased more than 300,000 of Sonder's specimens.
(Photo 2) Ferdinand von Mueller (1825-1896) is regarded as Australia's greatest 19th-century botanist. His legacy forms the core of the Herbarium Collections.
(Photo 3) Herbarium building, 1888. This building proved too small for Mueller's rapidly growing collection. It was demolished to make way for the Shrine of Remembrance. The
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Erected by Royal Botanic Gardens Melbourne.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Colonial Era • Parks & Recreational Areas. A significant historical year for this entry is 1853.
Location. 37° 49.861′ S, 144° 58.641′ E. Marker is in Melbourne, Victoria. It is on Birdwood Avenue 0.1 kilometers east of Dallas Brooks Dri e, on the right when traveling north. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Melbourne VIC 3004, Australia. Touch for directions.
Regionally, it is in Oceania, Australasia, the Pacific Ocean, South Pacific, the Pacific Rim, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once a British colony.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Unwelcome Strangers (within shouting distance of this marker); Discovery: more common than you expect (within shouting distance of this marker); Travel through time (within shouting distance of this marker); Baron Ferdinand von Mueller K.C.M.G (within shouting distance of this marker); Director's Residence Royal Botanic Gardens
Photographed by Dean Barton-Ancliffe, March 30, 2026
2. Herbarium Discovery Walk Marker in front of the Herbarium
Also see . . . Royal Botanic Gardens Victoria - Herbarium.
Founded in 1853, the National Herbarium of Victoria is the oldest scientific institution in Victoria. The herbarium was established to house the State Botanical Collection, one of Australia's most valuable biological research repositories.(Submitted on March 30, 2026, by Dean Barton-Ancliffe of Rowville, Victoria.)
This internationally significant collection is the largest herbarium collection in Oceania, comprising 1.562 million dried plant, algae and fungi specimens. It includes almost 36,000 types, making it the largest repository of type materials in the Southern Hemisphere. Approximately 27,000 of the type specimens represent Australian flora, while 9,000 are from overseas.
The State Botanical Collection also includes Australia's largest botanical library, an associated archive, and a collection of significant botanical artworks
Credits. This page was last revised on April 1, 2026. It was originally submitted on March 30, 2026, by Dean Barton-Ancliffe of Rowville, Victoria. This page has been viewed 17 times since then. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on March 30, 2026, by Dean Barton-Ancliffe of Rowville, Victoria. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.
