Our nursery

We are a nursery that grows and sells indigenous plants – that is, plants that are indigenous to the region and grow locally from Torquay to Cape Otway, an area which covers Wadawurrung, Gadubanud, Eastern Maar and Gulidjan Country. Our nursery is located in Aireys Inlet (Mangowak), on Wadawurrung Country. It is important to note Otways Indigenous Nursery is not a First Nations owned business.

Originally established by Geoff Clarke in 1990, the business changed hands in 2016 when Nick Day, the current owner, took over the reins. While continuing to champion local plants, Otways Indigenous Nursery has since evolved into a thriving hub for local community engagement, a supporter of regeneration projects, and a staunch advocate for our local environment.

We believe that indigenous plants have a role to play in almost any landscape or garden. They are intrinsic to the region, and a vital component of the environment. Not only will they encourage and improve biodiversity, they are low maintenance in domestic gardens and landscapes big and small, as well as public open spaces, ecological restoration and revegetation projects.

Otways Indigenous Nursery. Local plants for local parks, gardens, ecological restoration and revegetation.

Nick and the team at the nursery are both knowledgeable and passionate about the indigenous plants of the area, and the Otways at large. Their customer service is top tier and they are always keen to help you find what you’re looking for.

Shaun and Brydie, Kennett River

Specialist staff

Our staff share a deep love and knowledge of our indigenous plants and have many years’ experience in their propagation and production – from seed to sale. From one plant for your backyard, to thousands of plants for an ecological restoration project, we’re here to help get your project off to the best possible start.

We’ve bought many plants from the nursery over the years and keep returning because Nick and the crew are knowledgeable with species, plants in excellent condition and everyone is really helpful. Highly recommended.

The Johanson family, Bellbrae

Range of plants

We only grow and sell indigenous plants from this region. We collect and grow over 150 different species, from low-growing groundcovers, grasses and lilies, to medium-height shrubs and tall trees.

We also have a range of bush-food plants. Did you know that our nursery is located in a botanically rich area, where you can find over a third of all Victorian plants?

Pot sizes

Pot sizes depend on the species and quantity required. Many of our plants are available in a range of pot sizes, starting at 14cm for retail and trade sales and in some cases, in larger sizes too. We also offer a selection of advanced trees grown in air-pruned rocket pots, which prevent root circling and aid transplantation. For larger scale restoration and revegetation projects, smaller commercial pots such as forestry tubes can be provided depending on scale and project timelines. Feel free to get in touch via our enquiry form if you would like more information.

Additional products

We also offer a range of products to help get your plants off to the best possible start, including organic mulch, compost and other soil conditioners, as well as tree guards, stakes and a few other garden essentials. In addition, we stock a range of birdbaths to help encourage birds and other animals into your garden.

We knew nothing about trees, bushes and gardens when we took over our new house, so in early 2017 we went to Otways Indigenous Nursery in an attempt to rectify our pretty wrecked post-building desert. Our block now is teeming with wildlife because of flourishing tall trees and bushes. It’s all thanks to the specialist advice from the Otways Indigenous crew, and 250 (and counting) native indigenous plants we put in around May-June 2017. All the things we’ve subsequently learned about maintaining plants in the last seven years is down to them, and nowadays when we visit for top up plants they are always ready to help. We can’t thank them enough.

Pete and Kerry, Aireys Inlet

You don’t live on earth, you are passing through

Rumi