The site selected for the Federal Capital in 1908 consisted mostly of grassland, with few trees. Little was known about what species might thrive best in Canberra's environs. Charles Weston was appointed in 1913, by the Government, to test and choose suitable trees and shrubs for Canberra. He chose a site of 160 ha at Yarralumla on which he developed a plant nursery and an arboretum, now known as Westbourne Woods. Most of the Woods is now within the grounds of the Royal Canberra Golf Club.
New guidebook for Westbourne Woods is now available.
Trees create the character of Canberra’s landscape. Almost one hundred years ago, TCG Weston laid out Westbourne Woods at Yarralumla to test which trees would grow best in this harsh environment. Fifty years later, the Royal Canberra Golf Club laid out its spectacular course among those trees. Today, golfers and, at set times, the public enjoy the glorious legacy of Weston and his successors.
This new 64-page guide to Westbourne Woods tells the story of how all this came about and provides detailed maps for the identification of particular trees and groups of trees. Indoors or outdoors, it helps us to better appreciate the beauty and the historic significance of the area that was entered on the ACT Heritage Register in 2011.
Copies are available from the Botanical Bookshop at ANBG for $20.00 or from FACTA (members $15.00).