Step back in time at one of Australia’s oldest and best-preserved heritage steam railways with a train ride on Puffing Billy, situated in the beautiful Dandenong Ranges.
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Guide to the Dandenong Ranges Botanic Garden
Make the most of your visit to the Dandenong Ranges Botanic Gardens with this guide to the best things to see and do at Victoria’s premier cool-climate garden.
Victoria is home to countless beautiful parks and botanic gardens. But when it comes to cool climate gardens, the Dandenong Ranges Botanic Garden stands out as truly impressive.
Hidden within a forest of towering Mountain Ash trees, the Dandenong Ranges Botanic Garden feels a world away from bustling metropolitan Melbourne, despite being only an hour’s drive from the CBD.
Before departing, ensure you and your vehicle are road trip ready and that your Emergency Roadside Assistance plan is up-to-date. Download the VicEmergency app to your phone to check for official bushfire and extreme weather warnings.
The ultimate guide to visiting Dandenong Ranges Botanic Garden
What is the Dandenong Ranges Botanic Garden?
The Dandenong Ranges Botanic Garden is Victoria’s premier cool-climate garden, with 40ha of flora to enjoy. Formerly known as the National Rhododendron Garden, the site is famed for its 15,000 rhododendrons, a collection which boasts Australia’s largest collection of Australian and overseas raised hybrids of rhododendrons that cannot be replaced, re-bred or re-imported.
In addition to its horticultural importance, the Dandenong Ranges Botanic Garden is a popular tourist attraction thanks to its landscaped gardens, scenic lakes and spectacular views of the Yarra Ranges. There are many different walks to enjoy in the park, including the 3.5km main circuit track.
Entry to the gardens is free and no ticket is required.
The Chelsea Australian Garden recreates Australia's first winning entry at the Chelsea Flower Show. Image: Visit Victoria
What are the best things to see and do at the Dandenong Ranges Botanic Garden?
Chelsea Australian Garden
This garden recreates the first Australian win at the Chelsea Flower Show. The garden is more than 20 times the size of the original winning entry and features 15,000 native Australian plants from 400 species (plus a waterfall, billabong and giant waratah sculpture).
The Garden Explorer
Take a guided tour of the Dandenong Ranges Botanic Garden by hopping on the Garden Explorer. This open-air electric bus runs throughout the year and takes up to ten visitors on a 25-minute guided tour of the park. Service frequency changes seasonally and tickets for the tour can be purchased from the garden gift shop.
Kurume Bowl
This bowl-shaped garden is home to thousands of azaleas, and the largest garden of its kind in the southern hemisphere. The Kurume Bowl takes its name from the Kurume azaleas in the garden, which in turn are named for the Japanese town of Kurume. Visit in spring to see the azaleas in full colour.
Serenity Point
For the best views of the Yarra Ranges, head to Serenity Point. Located at the far end of the gardens, this lookout is a good place to have a picnic or simply catch your breath. A custom-designed leaf-shaped rotunda provides shade and seating.
The garden is known for its rhododendrons, daffodils, azaleas and camelias. Image: Getty
Where is the Dandenong Ranges Botanic Garden and how do I get there?
The Dandenong Ranges Botanic Garden is located at 24 The Georgian Road, Olinda. It is approximately an hour’s drive from central Melbourne.
The botanic garden is best accessed by car. If you use public transport, take a Belgrave train to Belgrave Station, then catch the route 694 bus towards Mount Dandenong. Alight at the Parsons Lane/Monash Avenue stop – the botanic garden is a ten-minute walk from there.
Is there parking available at the Dandenong Ranges Botanic Garden?
Parking is available near the garden’s entrance. The carparks can fill up quickly during peak periods – more parking is available at the nearby Olinda Recreation Reserve and Old Olinda Golf Course.
When is the Dandenong Ranges Botanic Garden open?
The Dandenong Ranges Botanic Garden is open every day except Christmas Day. Entry is from 10am to 4.30pm, with gates closing at 5pm.
The gardens may be closed during weather events such as high winds or storms. The gardens are also shut on any days that have a Catastrophic Fire Danger Rating.
The Dandenong Ranges Botanic Garden offer something different every season. Image: Visit Victoria
When is the best time to visit the Dandenong Ranges Botanic Garden?
The Dandenong Ranges Botanic Garden can be enjoyed throughout the year, with something different to discover every season.
For flowers, spring is one of the best times of year to visit the Dandenong Botanic Gardens. This is when you can experience daffodils, camelias, magnolias, azaleas and the famous rhododendrons in full bloom, with ample colour throughout the park.
The garden’s blue and white hydrangeas bloom during summer, with the milder mountain air making it a popular destination for families needing to cool off. The Dandenong Ranges Botanic Garden is also popular in autumn thanks to the deciduous trees shedding their leaves in shades of red, orange and gold.
The gardens are even nice to visit in winter, with mists creating an eeriness across the grounds and hellebore and cyclamen plants flowing in the later winter months.
Rug up in winter: the Dandenong Ranges is much cooler than central Melbourne. Image: Visit Victoria
Is the Dandenong Ranges Botanic Garden suitable for children?
Children are permitted at the Dandenong Ranges Botanic Garden. Children must be supervised at all times, with several potential hazards, including unfenced waterways, wildlife and slippery surfaces. It is prohibited for plants to be disturbed or removed.
The main garden path is sealed and suitable for prams. Some sections are steep and there are smaller gravel-only paths throughout. There are also no bins throughout the gardens so you must carry out any rubbish.
No bicycles, scooters, skateboards or roller skates are allowed in the gardens.
Can I bring my dog to the Dandenong Ranges Botanic Garden?
Dogs are not permitted at the Dandenong Ranges Botanic Garden. Assistance dogs are permitted.
More: The best dog-friendly walks and hikes in Melbourne
What animals can be seen at Dandenong Ranges Botanic Garden?
The gardens are home to plenty of wildlife, including echidnas, wombats, lyrebirds, rosellas, lizards and snakes.
Is the Dandenong Ranges Botanic Garden accessible?
The main path at the Dandenong Ranges Botanic Garden is sealed. However, many sections of the garden are steep, and many smaller paths are laid with gravel only.
Wheelchair users are not recommended to visit the gardens unassisted. Accessible toilets are located near the entrance to the garden.
Puffing Billy, is another popular attraction in the Dandenong Ranges. Image: Visit Victoria
Is food available at the Dandenong Ranges Botanic Gardens?
Yes, the Garden Cafe is open 10.30am to 4.30pm every day the gardens are open. The eatery serves sandwiches, sweets and light meals, plus coffee, smoothies and gelato. You'll find the cafe near the entrance to the gardens.
What other facilities are available at the Dandenong Ranges Botanic Garden?
Limited toilet facilities are available near the garden entrance and by the Magnolia Lawn. Water fountains are available across the park, as are picnic tables and a few rotundas.
The Dandenong Ranges Botanic Garden also has a gift shop and a small plant nursery.
More: The top recipes for picnics.
What else is there to do near the Dandenong Ranges Botanic Garden?
The Dandenong Ranges makes for a great day trip from Melbourne, with lots of charming towns, nature, food and fun to be had.
For more gardens, try the Alfred Nicholas Memorial Gardens, Cloudehill Gardens or Pirianda Garden. The region is also home to some great hiking trails, namely the 1,000 Steps Kokoda Track Memorial Walk and the Sherbrooke Forest trail.
Puffing Billy is Melbourne family favourite, with trains departing from Belgrave and Emerald Lake Park. The Lake Park itself is also great for kids, with playgrounds, walking tracks, paddleboats, an outdoor pool in summer and plenty of picnic facilities.
For fine dining, book a table at Banyalla restaurant at RACV Healesville Country Club and Resort. After something lighter? Riddell’s Green serves casual modern Australian favourites in an alfresco setting.
The Dandenongs is also a great place to enjoy high tea. Head to Miss Marple’s Tearoom in Sassafras for a traditional tea, or try Olinda Tea House for a high tea that takes inspiration from Asian cuisines.
