PETER FRANCIS POINTS ARBORETUM

The Peter Francis Points Arboretum is a modern botanical collection of Australian native plants, particularly representative of Eucalyptus and Banksia species. The Arboretum is located in a sixteen hectare reserve known as "The Points", on a hill to the immediate south of the Coleraine Township. The reserve is unique for its deposits of a variety of different soil types deposited by Glacial movement. The Points Arboretum was started in 1966 by Mr. Joe Wright, Shire Engineer, Mrs. Mary Hope and Mr. Peter Francis, and is recognised as the official genus Eucalyptus and genus Banksia collection for Australia. There are 2 200 different species of native plants within the Arboretum, including 500 different species of Eucalyptus and 63 rare and endangered species. The name 'Peter Francis Points Arboretum' was given to the Arboretum in recognition of the contribution of Peter Francis, a founding member who continued his work until his death on 12 July 1989.

How is it Significant?

Peter Francis Points Arboretum is of botanical and scientific significance to the State of Victoria.

Why is it significant?

The Peter Francis Points Arboretum is of botanical significance to Australia as the largest and most diverse collection of Eucalyptus and Banksia species in Australia. It has been officially recognised as a rare and unique collection of Australian Native plants, unusual because the species and provenance of the plants range from all over Australia. The Peter Francis Points Arboretum is of scientific significance to the State of Victoria for its unusual and rare deposits of a variety of different soil types within a relatively small area (16 hectares) allowing for such a diverse range of genus and species to exist in the same reserve.

To a lesser extent, the Peter Francis Points Arboretum is of social significance to the township of Coleraine and the Southern Grampians Shire its associations with Peter Francis, and as a physical representation of community and volunteer achievement.

Group

Forestry and Timber Industry

Category

Arboretum/Nursery/ Experimental Tree Farm