Dandenong Ranges Botanic Garden
Dandenong Ranges Botanic Garden
4.6
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Monday
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Tuesday
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Wednesday
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Thursday
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Friday
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Saturday
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Sunday
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
About
The Dandenong Ranges Botanic Garden is Victoria's premier cool-climate garden. With breathtaking views over the Yarra Valley, the garden features important collections of rhododendrons, azaleas, camellias and more, in a setting of native and exotic trees. Seasonal changes ensure the garden is a year-round delight. Meander down to Serenity Point where the sculpted landscape opens to stunning views. A network of paths criss-cross the Dandenong Ranges Botanic Garden and highlight the ever-changing seasonal landscape. Bring a picnic basket and set up on one of the lawns within the gardens for a scenic day out. Ride the 'Garden Explorer' - a fee-for-service people mover which provides a 25-minute guided tour of the garden.
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4.6
488 reviews
Excellent
331
Very good
133
Average
21
Poor
2
Terrible
1
Traveller
Melbourne, Australia17,552 contributions
Feb 2024 • Couples
My wife and I visited this Garden for the third time, during our recent holiday in Mount Dandenong where we stayed in a holiday cottage that was located very close to this place.
We returned for another visit because there is a new section called Chelsea Garden, which was not ready for opening at the time of our previous visit.
In 2013, the ‘Australian Garden’, created by Landscape Designer Phillip Johnson, Horticulturalist Wes Fleming and the Trailfinders Team, was the first Australian entry to win Gold and Best in Show at the prestigious Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) Chelsea Flower Show in London.
Ten years later, Phillip Johnson has re-created his award-winning Australian Garden in the Dandenong Ranges Botanic Garden in Olinda.
The new garden is over 20 times the size of the original Chelsea Flower Show build, converting a section of the former Olinda Golf Course into a stunning botanic garden, supporting biodiversity and habitat creation in the area.
The garden features 15,000 plants from over 400 native Australian species. The project was made possible thanks to a $3.8 million investment from the Victorian Government, $2.2 million from the Federal Government and $340,000 in funds raised by the People and Parks Foundation.
We returned for another visit because there is a new section called Chelsea Garden, which was not ready for opening at the time of our previous visit.
In 2013, the ‘Australian Garden’, created by Landscape Designer Phillip Johnson, Horticulturalist Wes Fleming and the Trailfinders Team, was the first Australian entry to win Gold and Best in Show at the prestigious Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) Chelsea Flower Show in London.
Ten years later, Phillip Johnson has re-created his award-winning Australian Garden in the Dandenong Ranges Botanic Garden in Olinda.
The new garden is over 20 times the size of the original Chelsea Flower Show build, converting a section of the former Olinda Golf Course into a stunning botanic garden, supporting biodiversity and habitat creation in the area.
The garden features 15,000 plants from over 400 native Australian species. The project was made possible thanks to a $3.8 million investment from the Victorian Government, $2.2 million from the Federal Government and $340,000 in funds raised by the People and Parks Foundation.
Written 29 February 2024
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.
Traveller
Melbourne, Australia17,552 contributions
Apr 2022
My wife and I visited this place during our recent holiday in Dandenong Ranges, when we stayed for two nights in a holiday cottage in Olinda.
The Dandenong Ranges Botanic Garden is Victoria's premier cool-climate garden. With scenic views over the Yarra Valley, the garden features important collections of rhododendrons, azaleas, camellias and more, in a setting of native and exotic trees.
We walked down to Serenity Point where the sculpted landscape opens to stunning views over the Yarra Ranges and beyond. A network of paths criss-cross the Dandenong Ranges Botanic Garden measuring around 40 hectares. We explored every area of the Garden.
The pleasant autumn weather made it very easy to walk a few kilometres. We saw a few Lyrebirds during our walk.
The Dandenong Ranges Botanic Garden is Victoria's premier cool-climate garden. With scenic views over the Yarra Valley, the garden features important collections of rhododendrons, azaleas, camellias and more, in a setting of native and exotic trees.
We walked down to Serenity Point where the sculpted landscape opens to stunning views over the Yarra Ranges and beyond. A network of paths criss-cross the Dandenong Ranges Botanic Garden measuring around 40 hectares. We explored every area of the Garden.
The pleasant autumn weather made it very easy to walk a few kilometres. We saw a few Lyrebirds during our walk.
Written 30 April 2022
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.
Mscc
Iloilo City, Philippines63 contributions
Oct 2022 • Couples
The first time we arrived there you will see how the place was loved by a tourist and a locals.there you will see the beautiful different preserved trees,plants and flowers.very relaxing place to spend with family and friends.i can see not only adult but children as well enjoying the ambiance of that place.its really wonderful to see different colorful flowers that blooms, plants and trees that grows.people loves to have a picture taken of their family would recommend this place for anyone who plans to visit.they also have a souvenir shop and can buy plants.
Written 9 January 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.
Anna S
Christchurch, New Zealand24 contributions
Nov 2024 • Family
The gardens and plants are amazing. However we took a paid EV tour of the gardens and were disappointed. The tour guide was robotic and was doing her job with absolutely no passion at all. Though she gave a non stop commentary about the plants and gardens, she couldn’t answer any questions and wasn’t knowledgeable at all and was not interested in engaging with the patrons at all.
Written 7 November 2024
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.
Catie L
21 contributions
Oct 2022
The gardens were absolutely beautiful,but the service of the garden explorer was very disappointing.We tried to book in advance and were told that the particular time we could attend was not for booking but general public only. A number of our seniors group had to sit and wait for the more abled bodied persons in our group to return.As this is a trip we have often done in the past,the service was below the standard we expected .
Written 13 November 2022
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.
TravellingNarwhal
London, UK45 contributions
Apr 2024 • Friends
A lovely spot to visit in the Dandenongs. It was free and the Chelsea Garden in particular was beautiful to see. It felt like somewhere that you'd pay a lot of money to visit elsewhere. Definitely recommend a visit!
Written 8 May 2024
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.
Traveller
Melbourne, Australia17,552 contributions
May 2023 • Couples
My wife and I visited this Garden for the second time, during our recent holiday in Mount Dandenong where we stayed in a holiday cottage.
We were here last year and enjoyed our visit so much that we decided to visit again.
The autumn weather was perfect for walking and we walked across the entire Garden, including the section called Messmate Forest, which is located at the far end of the Garden. This section is similar to bushwalking.
We will return again next year for another visit because there is a new section called Chelsea Garden, which was not ready for opening at the time of our visit.
We were here last year and enjoyed our visit so much that we decided to visit again.
The autumn weather was perfect for walking and we walked across the entire Garden, including the section called Messmate Forest, which is located at the far end of the Garden. This section is similar to bushwalking.
We will return again next year for another visit because there is a new section called Chelsea Garden, which was not ready for opening at the time of our visit.
Written 23 October 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.
redzebbra
Melbourne, Australia111 contributions
Oct 2022 • Couples
What a treasure these gardens are. I enjoyed them so much I returned three times in one month and it is a two hour round trip in the car! I not only saw the most beautiful flowers there but also a range of native Australian birds and animals too including a wombat, a lyrebird, kookaburras galore and the beautiful parrots. I love nature so for me visiting these gardens is alike to visiting a sweet shop as a child! I left feeling energised and immersed by the wonder of just how beautiful our natural world is. Also if you fancy, take a picnic as there are grassy areas and picnic benches aplenty.
Written 29 November 2022
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.
Richard & Meg S
Oatley, Australia276 contributions
May 2024 • Couples
We visited the gardens on a Saturday afternoon in mid Autumn. The gardens were spectacular however parking was a nightmare! If you’re visiting on a weekend be prepared to walk a fair distance. May was a great time to visit as there is plenty of colour and fallen leaves everywhere.
Written 5 May 2024
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.
Kathy G
33 contributions
Nov 2020
Worth the trip to see this stunning botanic garden. We went at the end of the rhododendrons blooming, and it was still gorgeous! We noticed many cherry trees, so we will definitely go back in the Spring to see these bloom. And of course I have already put this lovely garden on my calendar for October next year to see the azaleas and rhododendrons blooming.
Written 13 December 2020
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.
Thanks so much for sharing your experience at Dandenong Ranges Botanic Garden, We're so glad you enjoyed your visit and found the garden stunning.
We look forward to welcoming you back again next soon.
Thanks again,
Parks Victoria
Written 17 December 2020
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Do they still have the little bus running round for people who cant walk so far
Written 8 November 2019
Hello
Are rhododendrons blooming now please, planning to visit Saturday the 3rd November
Thank you
Written 31 October 2018
There are rhododendrons all year around here and there within beautiful flowers (speaking from experience) as they have different types of Rhododendron in the garden. However, their best season is roughly about September - October. You might find some still with bright & nice different colors over the weekend.
Written 31 October 2018
Is BYO alcohol allowed at the National Rhododendron Gardens?
Written 9 September 2018
Sorry but I don't know if alcohol is allowed in the gardens.
Written 13 September 2018
I don't think so as there are wildlife in the park. I did not see any dogs brought in on my recent visit on a Sun with a big crowd. I suggest that you ring the number on their website & query.
Written 26 October 2017
Gwennieb5
Merimbula, Australia
When is the peak time to visit the gardens ie this year?
Written 13 October 2017
I was there on a very wet autumn day and it was still delightful. I believe the Rhododendrons are out in November, so it would be even more stunning then.
Written 4 November 2017
Parks Victoria
Melbourne, Australia
Hi Ann,
Spring is a great time to visit - the magnolias are at their peak and looking wonderful. Early rhododendrons and camellias are now in flower along with daffodils, proteas and hellebores.
The cherry trees bloom later than they do in the suburbs of Melbourne - this is becasue the gardens are at a altitude than Melbourne. Blossoms usually reach peak bloom in mid-September to early October.
You can refer to the Parks Victoria website or call 13 1963 for more information.
Enjoy your visit!
Written 16 September 2016
I really doubt this - maybe a hire car or an organised tour
Written 17 September 2016
I would like to know when are rhododendrons in full bloom. I have an oversees visitor and I would like to impress her with the miracle of the garden.
Written 19 October 2015
Hi, the azaleas are amazing now and many of the rhododendrons are flowering. From now on is the answer.
Enjoy.
Written 19 October 2015
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