History of the Land Discovery Trail (Maribyrnong)

The History of the Land Discovery Trail has transformed the concrete foundations and ruins of the Hume company's 8 foot pipe factory into a series of gardens which tell the story of how the occupants of this region changed the local landscape over time. The landscape resulting from thousands of years of Aboriginal occupation was drastically changed by European settlement from the 1830s, with the introduction of exotic plants, animals and artefacts to this western region of Melbourne. The gardens you walk through illustrate these changes and aim to create an understanding of the historic environment and an awareness of the impact of people on the environment.

History of the Land Discovery Trail Map

The gardens are:

1 - Wurundjeri Garden
The ways of the local Aboriginal population in the region are featured in this garden. It includes some local food plants and a large earth mound used for cooking. The patterned mosaic pathway represents the scales of Mindi, a snake-like creature which was. part of Wurundjeri beliefs, and a mosaic illustrating a significant cultural story about fire.

History of the Land Discovery Trail (Maribyrnong)

History of the Land Discovery Trail (Maribyrnong)

2 - Early Settlers Garden
Shepherds were the first European settlers along the Maribyrnong River. The developing pastoral industry in the region led to a series of meat related industries on the site, which began in the 1840's. The dry stone was represent the typical fencing of the basalt plains.

3 - Colonial Garden
When people decide to settle more permanently and stay in one place for a while, they begin to plant gardens of flowers, rather than simply with vegetables for survival. The rose garden and the William Morris style flower mosaics, mark this stage in local settlement.

History of the Land Discovery Trail (Maribyrnong)

4 - Hume Pipemakers Garden
Many of the pipeworkers came from Mediterranean countries and used their recreational time to plant fruit trees and flowers and create concrete structures from factory products.

History of the Land Discovery Trail (Maribyrnong)

5 - Garden of the Future
The design of the five star shaped gardens is based on the Southern Cross. Plant selection has been based upon water conservation principles as well as showcasing plants that provide food and medicine.

6 - Industrial Archaeological Garden
Today most factories along the Maribyrnong River have vanished, along with most of the physical evidence of their existence. This Humes Garden has been lightly landscaped to feature the relics of this once revolutionary industry.

History of the Land Discovery Trail (Maribyrnong)

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