Shepparton - Riverside Gardens Mini Golf - Northern Country

Shepparton - Riverside Gardens Mini Golf

Riverside Gardens Garden Centre's 'Laugh a lot Links' is not your usual mini golf course. Set in over 2 hectares of gardens, lawns and picnic areas our 18 hole Mini Golf course is far from mini. See if you're up to the challenge as you wander through the gardens surrounding our tranquil lake.

It's a game for all ages. Light refreshments are available from the Nursery or bring a picnic lunch and relax on the lawns. (BBQ facilities can be arranged with prior notice)

Located on the southern outskirts of Shepparton at Emerald Bank Leisureland, the course is accessed from the Nursery which is right next door to the Dutch Windmill.

The Cat, The Bird, The Bug & Henry - Banksia the cat, Charlie the cockatoo, our VW Lawn Beetle and Henry the male model are all sort after celebrities at Riverside Gardens Garden Centre. Banksia, an unusually coloured tortoise shell cat, sure knows where to position herself for an extra dose of customer's affections.

Charlie the cockatoo is over 40 years old and loves his share of the attention. His dancing talents are one of his biggest show off acts and his shrill singing demands your attention if he thinks he's being ignored. Being a well known identity at Riverside Gardens for more than 30 years, parents bring their children in to meet Charlie, having themselves been introduced to Charlie as children.

Henry, on the other hand, is a very quiet natured security guard, often taking people by surprise as he stands in silence in one of his many disguises. Keep an eye out for Henry because he's sure to make you gasp when you catch his watchful eye.

Most photographed of all is our VW Lawn Beetle who adorns our front courtyard. Covered completely in 'Ideal Grass', our Lawn Beetle (Bug) receives endless comments and features in many of our visitors holiday pictures.

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This is one of our favourite mini golf courses because it is different to most other courses with the course winding around a lovely lake and each hole being separated by a short walk (typically 10-20 metres). Many of the holes are surrounded by nice landscaping.

The holes are generally quite short but there is enough slope and obstacles to make them interesting and fun. There are some difficult holes to spice things up. Beside hole 7 there is a nice little shelter next to the water. A stray shot here can easily end up in the water.

The surface of the holes is generally good and some of the holes are a bit old but that doesn't detract from the experience. Some of the older holes are in the process of getting renewed.

The staff are very friendly and free sunscreen and umbrellas are provided. If it was in Melbourne you'll need both but in Shepparton either sunscreen or an umbrella will suffice.

Nearby is a windmill, cafe, chocolate shop and public toilets.

At the start of the course there is a nice summary of the rules which apply to most mini golf courses. For those that seem to forget them, such as our kids, they are:

Group size should be a maximum of four.
The first person in the group finishes the hole before the next player begins.
A ball near the edge of the fairway or green may be placed one club head from the edge without penalty.
A ball leaving the fairway or green is OUT OF BOUNDS. It should be replaced where it went out. Penalty is ONE stroke.
Both feet must be on the carpet or green when playing a stroke.
After EIGHT strokes - pick up the ball, count nine and go to the next hole (and try not to get too embarrassed)

Access for Dogs:

We were able to take our dog with us around the course on a lead. There are also a range of other animal characters at the nursery.

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