Must see bonsai locations in Victoria

[trident76]

Hi all,
I am a South Australian bonsai enthusiast, and am planning on taking a driving trip to Victoria to see all that is worth seeing, that is of course bonsai related. In the spirit of Ausbonsai please only discussion of where to go, and leave out where not to go. I had thought to go to Orient Bonsai for some pots, and to Shibui for stock trees. Any other suggestions in terms of nurseries, clubs, private collections etc would be greatly appreciated.
Cheers

[MrSnoopy]

Shibui would be a great place to go. I haven't had the pleasure of going there myself but I have never had a problem with their service or any of their stock. Don't know if you know this or not, but make sure that you organise your visit with them since the nursery is open by appointment only.

If you go to Shibui, see what stock they have for me I'm eager to expand my collection!

[shibui]

Try to fit a stop to see Bodhi on the way past.

I find Orient very good for pots but stock levels ebb and flow - plenty of choice after a container comes in but sometimes less on offer.

I have not been to Baloc bonsai nursery but he has some great trees for sale at shows and some excellent bonsai on the show benches too. Should be worth a stop there - Western suburbs?

[JR_J]

Hi Trident76,
You asking for must see bonsai locations in Vic, well there're two more you can't/shouldn't miss - CHOJO Feature Trees at 136 York Road, Mount Evelyn, call Jeff on 0434 622 565 and Bonsai Art Nursery at 236 Old Dandenong Road, Heatherton, call Trevor on (03) 9551 0725.
Both have a great selection on trees and pots - including Japanese pots!
Have a look at our website, http://www.yarravalleybonsai.org.au - you'll find a link to both of them and also to Orient Bonsai on our home page.

Send PM if you like to discuss in more details.
Cheers, Rudi

[Jason]

Hey mate,

Worth checking out the AusBonsai directory, as that list's everything bonsai related in Australia

Much easier if you are looking for things that are near you (or near where you are holidaying in this case). When I was visiting NSW, I used the directory to visit a heap of different places, very easy to use and as its all linked to google maps, its easier to see whats around.

https://www.ausbonsai.com.au/directory/

Just filter the listing by state, and away you go each location even has a little description written about what you'll find, as well as opening times, and all that jazz

[Meagi]

Hi trident
Bodhidarhma nursey for sure must stop if your in Victoria
I have been to every bonsai place in Victoria
Bodhidarhma was my last stop .... "Like they say should of made my last choice my first"
Great guy and even greater trees you won't be disappointed .
Scenery is excellent to and from Shepard flat ....call ahead would be advised and appreciated I'm
Sure . Baloc is excellent as well lot of old big stock available .
Shibui is awesome as well lots of good quality .
Bonsai art I visit often always something Differant and lots others close to it.
Hats must go off to the vic bonsai nursey men lots of time and effort have gone into their nurserys
You really cannot go wrong no matter which ones you choose ....
If I keep going I'm going to be a darn nursery !!!
Cheers

[trident76]

Wow!!
Thankyou all for the recommendations of bonsai related sites to visit in Victoria.
I didn't realise the extent of bonsai businesses currently operating (and worth visiting).
There are really only a few serious bonsai nurseries in SA.
Cheers

[macca66]

Hi Trident,
I don't get out of town, so here are my thoughts on city locations-

Bonsai Art, a great range in stock and good $
Orient are good for pots, tree stock can be so so
Bonsai Farm, some great stock ($$) maples and pines and azaleas are generally tops
Baloc is a great guy with some amazing trees and good starters
Garden world have some super trees to see, but not for sale, an ok range of starters
Chojo has good stock ($$) but only opens on weekends
Bonsai sensation, my current favorite, has great mature trees and fantastic starters/ semi mature at good $

[lakepipes]

Hi Trident,

I can thoroughly recommend Chojo feature Trees in Mt Evelyn, the owner Jeff has a great selection of starter stock through to trees with quite a bit of age, he also has for sale some of the best field grown stock I've ever seen.
In the shop he has some good older Japanese pots too... Put it on your list of places to visit.

The address has been posted in another reply but here it is again.
Chojo is only open on the weekends but Jeff is flexible and will open by appointment.

CHOJO Feature Trees at 136 York Road, Mount Evelyn,
Call Jeff on 0434 622 565 or check out Chojo Feature tree on Facebook

kind regards,
mike

[AKVears]

Hi Trident,

I haven't been to all the places listed here, but I have to agree that Jeff at Chojo feature trees in Mt Evelyn is a definite stop. I've spent perhaps a little too much time on occasions there. Great range of trees in terms of beginner to mature stock, as well as species. I've bought some pretty exellent tools and pots from there. Jeff is a pretty helpful dude too.

Good luck with the trip!

-Alex