Royal Botanic Gardens Victoria

Royal Botanic Gardens Victoria

Royal Botanic Gardens Victoria
4.5
7:30 AM - 7:30 PM
Monday
7:30 AM - 7:30 PM
Tuesday
7:30 AM - 7:30 PM
Wednesday
7:30 AM - 7:30 PM
Thursday
7:30 AM - 7:30 PM
Friday
7:30 AM - 7:30 PM
Saturday
7:30 AM - 7:30 PM
Sunday
7:30 AM - 7:30 PM
About
Visit Melbourne's inner-city oasis. Over 10,000 plant species from around the world are presented in a kaleidoscope of colour and texture. Sweeping lawns, tranquil lakes and majestic trees are home to an amazing range of wildlife.
Suggested duration
1-2 hours
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  • Robb H
    Las Vegas, Nevada139 contributions
    Great park
    Worth spending some time walking around. There are big meadows, and ponds for the ducks and birds. Great place to wander or to get some exercise. Keep your eyes open, we even saw a yellow-tailed black Cockatoo!
    Dear Robb, Thank you for your feedback. The birdlife at the gardens is amazing. If you are in the gardens again you should check out Long Island. There are lots of different birds, turtles and sometimes you can see ells from the bridge. We hope to see you in the gardens again soon.
    Written 20 December 2022
    This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
    Visited December 2022
    Written 14 December 2022
  • LanaO
    2 contributions
    Great walk run by volunteers
    We love visiting Botanical Gardens everywhere we go. We booked Free Guided Walks run by local volunteers. The walk was in a small group and took appr. 1.5 Hrs., and it was absolutely great fun! Thank you, Lindsey, for your enthusiasm and knowledge!
    Hello LanaOI, Thank you for your review, we are so glad you enjoyed your time in the Gardens and the tour. We agree, it's a lovely place for a walk-in nature! We hope to see you back at the gardens again soon.
    Written 21 December 2022
    This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
    Visited December 2022
    Written 14 December 2022
  • David H
    31 contributions
    Really good botanic garden!
    I am quite passionate about plants and really enjoy walking around parks and gardens and i found this one to be one of the best botanic gardens I've visited in a long time. Really large area and great range of different plants and ecosystems. Really worth the visit.
    Thank you for visiting us and I'm glad that you had a great time in the garden. Looking forward to seeing you and your family and friends in the future.
    Written 23 December 2022
    This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
    Visited December 2022
    Written 15 December 2022
  • The B
    Merritt Island, Florida261 contributions
    Beautiful and calm in the city
    Entry to the Gardens is free and there are many entrances around the perimeter. .We chose to enter via the Visitors Centre gate as we had never been there before. We decided to just roam around at our leisure although when we visit again we want to take the Aboriginal tour. The garden is set out beautifully although the map leaves much to be desired. Our time in the Gardens was about 2 hours which I would say enough for anyone considering it was quite warm and humid. Unfortunately we left our hats in the car which would have been a boon to have. This garden is an oasis in the middle of a city and there are places you can see beyond the trees a soaring jungle of concrete and glass. A juxtaposition to the calm and beauty of the garden We will be returning in the future on our next visit to the Melbourne area
    Hello The B, We are delighted to hear that you enjoyed your time in the Gardens. Thank you for a wonderful review. We welcome you back anytime.
    Written 21 December 2022
    This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
    Visited December 2022
    Written 21 December 2022
  • RVV
    7 contributions
    Free Guided Walk
    My partner and I booked the Free Walking Tour in the Royal Botanic Gardens. Process to book is easy to do through the web page. The tour is run by volunteers, usually for small groups I think we were a group around 15 people from all over the world and all ages. The guides were two knowledeable ladies that explain us about different plants, species and interesting facts about the garden and Australian biodiversity. Guides are very kind, passionate, patient and open to questions. The tour last 1.5 hours walking a low pace. I would recommend to leave more time on your own after the tour to get to know more the gardens, there is a lot to see and learn in the gardens.
    Thank you so much taking the time to provide feedback about our Free Guided Walk held every day by our lovely volunteers. We are so happy to hear you had a wonderful time, our volunteers are endlessly knowledgeable about the gardens from history to plantings to specific gardens areas. Hope to see you back in the gardens in the future.
    Written 2 January 2023
    This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
    Visited December 2022
    Written 2 January 2023
  • Jane T
    London, United Kingdom248 contributions
    Wonderful gardens, a must see
    We visited on our first day in Melbourne. We found it an easy walk from the Southbank. We spent a couple of hours wandering the gardens and found it incredibly peaceful. We loved the various gardens and how you can use it phone to listen to different things in some of the gardens. The facilities were great. Unfortunately things like the children's garden are not open on a Monday and Tuesday but we enjoyed our visit nonetheless.
    Thank you Jane73586 for taking your time to leave this review. As you have explained the Flora and the Baron and Sonica Botanica are great audio experiences through your phone. We also have other ways to experience the garden, such as Free Guided Walks and the Explorer Service. We welcome you back to the gardens again soon.
    Written 8 January 2023
    This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
    Visited November 2022
    Travelled with family
    Written 7 January 2023
  • Mary O
    Mullingar, Ireland109 contributions
    Amazing gardens
    Amazing gardens in the middle of Melbourne City with free entry. Beautiful monuments and so many different plants. I was blown away with the cactus garden. Really nice cafe there for a break. Lovely place for an afternoon stroll
    Hi Mary, thank you for taking the time to post this review and praise the Arid Garden. We are pleased that you enjoyed your visit. Our amazing team of botanists, horticulturalists, arborists, and others do incredible work to keep the Royal Botanic Gardens looking beautiful. We look forward to you visiting again in the future.
    Written 19 January 2023
    This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
    Visited January 2023
    Travelled as a couple
    Written 19 January 2023
  • Teresa L
    19 contributions
    Amazing gardens and tour
    Wonderful guides - Bud and Pamela were friendly, enthusiastic and knowledgeable about the history of the gardens and the botanical aspects of the plants and trees. Thoroughly enjoyed my time and it's a stunning place to visit in the heart of the city. Would highly recommend it and will visit again soon.
    Hi Teresa, thank you so much for your lovely feedback about the Free Guided Walk, held every day. Our amazing volunteer guides, Bud and Pamela, are always excited to share their knowledge and love of the gardens through their tours. We are so glad you had such a positive, informative experience. We hope to welcome you back to the gardens soon.
    Written 8 February 2023
    This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
    Visited February 2023
    Travelled solo
    Written 2 February 2023
  • Big-A-Leics
    Langham, United Kingdom173 contributions
    Tranquil walk through scented gardens
    We spent a good two hours meandering slowly through the gardens. We didn’t see everything in that time but enjoyed everything we visited. The highly scented medical/herbal garden, the sensory garden, the fern gully -all a delight. The cafe is good, the gift shop ridiculously expensive. It’s free to visit so go and enjoy it.
    Thank you for taking the time to review the gardens. We really appreciate your review, and we are sorry to hear you were disappointed by the offerings at our gift shop. However, we thank you for highlighting the different areas of the gardens you enjoyed. Our amazing team of botanists, horticulturalists, arborists, and others do incredible work to keep the Royal Botanic Gardens looking beautiful. We hope that if you visit Melbourne again from England, you will stop-in during a different season to see the gardens in a whole new way.
    Written 15 February 2023
    This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
    Visited February 2023
    Travelled as a couple
    Written 13 February 2023
  • ar0614
    London, United Kingdom46 contributions
    Mary was fab!
    I went on one of the free guided tours and it was fascinating! Mary was so knowledgable about every plant and was clearly so passionate about the gardens, and I left feeling inspired and wanting to learn more. Would highly recommend a visit here, even without a tour, it’s a really relaxing place to be. Wonderful place to read a book for an hour or so!
    Thank you so much taking the time to write a review about our Free Guided Walk held every day by our lovely volunteers. We are so happy to hear you had a wonderful time on the tour and that Mary was able to answer all your questions. Our volunteers here are amazing and endlessly knowledgeable about our big, beautiful botanic gardens from history to plantings to specific gardens areas. It's easy to be inspired after one of their walks!
    Written 15 February 2023
    This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
    Visited February 2023
    Travelled solo
    Written 14 February 2023
These reviews are the subjective opinion of Tripadvisor members and not of TripAdvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
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4.5
10,463 reviews
Excellent
7,731
Very good
2,405
Average
285
Poor
27
Terrible
15

Molly F
3 contributions
Dec. 2023 • Solo
The tour was great, the guide was lovely and very knowledgeable - shame it was raining! Only recommendation would be for the tour to be an hour rather than an hour and a half, it felt a little like some bits were repetition.
Written 4 December 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Melinda F
1 contribution
Nov. 2023 • Family
Fantastic space, well supported for all mobilities and ages. My 3rd time there and it is really maturing
Written 30 November 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thank you for your positive feedback. We are glad you enjoyed your tour on the Explorer. Experiencing the Gardens with a Guide on our Explorer is a great way to learn about the Gardens and all the amazing work done here in protecting our botanic collections. We look forward to having you back in the future.
Written 2 December 2023
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

Iva R
Melbourne, Australia8 contributions
Nov. 2023 • Solo
I booked the Aboriginal Heritage Walk hoping to learn more about the local Indigenous history and flora and it couldn't have been better. Our tour guide, a young man of Indigenous heritage, was the nicest person I met, and his stories and explanations along the walk in the Garden were superb. He answered all our questions, demonstrated the use of some of the traditional tools, and we even got to taste some of the edible plants.
This Walk will inspire you if you immerse yourself in the nature and wonderful stories and wisdom of the Indigenous peoples.
Written 28 November 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Hi Iva, thank you for providing such glowing feedback. We agree that the Aboriginal Heritage Walk is a wonderful way to gain more insight into First Nations history and culture, right here in the heart of Melbourne. Jakobi is an amazing guide and is always excited to share his knowledge and experiences. We hope to see you in the gardens again soon.
Written 29 November 2023
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

Kyle L
1 contribution
Nov. 2023 • Couples
We had the most informative and beautiful walking tour of the gardens led by Robin - A lovely and extremely generous man who shared his knowledge of the park and its diverse plant history
Written 27 November 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thank you so much for your lovely feedback. Our amazing volunteer guides, such as Robin, are always excited to share their knowledge and love of the gardens through their tours. We are so glad you had such a positive, informative experience. We hope to welcome you back to the gardens soon.
Written 27 November 2023
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

Leanne D
3 contributions
Nov. 2023 • Friends
Absolutely amazing! A fresh delightful walk through the gardens. Right from the beginning we forest bathed with the most glorious trees. Enjoying all our senses. It is an experience that allows you to find your zen. Highly recommend trying this activity.
Written 26 November 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thank you for your detailed and positive review of the Royal Botanical Gardens. We are glad you enjoyed your visit, and we appreciate you sharing all the wonderful experiences available within the gardens. We look forward to you visiting again in the future.
Written 27 November 2023
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

Raissa A
1 contribution
Nov. 2023 • Friends
Amazing! Engaging tour leader and beautiful view. The place is a bit too far from the city, so better take your own car than public transport like I did.
Written 26 November 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thank you for your detailed and positive review of the Royal Botanical Gardens. We are glad you enjoyed your visit, and we appreciate you sharing all the wonderful experiences available within the gardens. We look forward to you visiting again in the future.
Written 27 November 2023
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

David S
Newhaven, UK112 contributions
Nov. 2023 • Couples
Fabulous gardens for wandering around and great running track round the Tan. Beautiful way to see the flora of the city.
Written 25 November 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thank you for your positive review of the Royal Botanical Gardens. We are glad you enjoyed your visit, and we appreciate you sharing all the wonderful experiences available within the gardens. We look forward to you visiting again in the future.
Written 27 November 2023
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

clarendon47
Melbourne, Australia19 contributions
Nov. 2023 • Friends
A delightful tour for our group of 8, though a bit cramped. A lovely way to see the garden, particularly as our driver/guide Sue provided us with lots of information about the garden, individual plants and amusing anecdotes. Glorious display of kangaroo paws while we were there.
Written 23 November 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thank you for taking the time to post this review. We are glad you enjoyed your tour on the Explorer. Experiencing the Gardens with a Guide on our Explorer is a great way to learn about the Gardens and all the amazing work done here in protecting our botanic collections. We are sorry about the negative experience you had feeling cramped while on the bus. We have shared your feedback with our management. We hope to see you in the garden again soon.
Written 27 November 2023
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

adeel k
1 contribution
Oct. 2023 • Family
Amazing tour conducted by Anne. She covered most of the park in the allotted 1.5 hours of the tour. Covered a lot of the history of the gardens.
Written 21 November 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Hi name, thank you so much for taking the time to write a review about our Free Guided Walks held every day by our lovely volunteers. Our volunteers are endlessly knowledgeable about the gardens from history to plantings to specific garden areas. We look forward to having you back in the future.
Written 27 November 2023
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

Caro d
1 contribution
Oct. 2023 • Solo
The Secret Life of Birds tour, with Liz and Paul as guides, was an utter joy. The group was a perfect size, and the information was well delivered and received. To my delight, and with the expertise of the guides, I managed to tick off a new bird from my twitchers list! Hello Australasian Grebe!
Written 21 November 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thank you so much for your lovely feedback. Our amazing volunteer guides, Liz and Paul, are always excited to share their knowledge and love of the gardens through their tours. We are so glad you had such a positive, informative experience. We hope to welcome you back to the gardens soon.
Written 27 November 2023
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

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