Explore
Dandenong Ranges Botanic Garden
The Dandenong Ranges Botanic Garden is Victoria’s premier cool-climate botanic garden. Set across 50 hectares with breathtaking views over the Yarra Valley, this expansive retreat features stunning collections of rhododendrons, azaleas, camellias, and more, set among a mix of native and exotic trees. Seasonal changes ensure the garden is a year-round delight.
Stroll the main 3.5 km paved garden circuit, passing a small pond and ornamental lake, or explore the network of secondary paths that criss-cross the landscape and reveal new vistas with every turn.
Home to more than 15,000 rhododendrons, 12,000 azaleas, 3,000 camellias, and 250,000 daffodils, the garden bursts into colour in spring and autumn.
Bring a picnic basket and relax on one of the garden’s lawns for a scenic day out. You can also join a guided tour aboard the open-air people mover—a year-round, fee-for-service ride offering a 25-minute commentary on the garden’s highlights.
A large-scale recreation of the award-winning Australian Garden, which won Best in Show at the 2013 Chelsea Flower Show, is now on permanent display, along with the new Cloud Forest conservation garden.
Opening hours
Open 7 days, 10:00 am to 4:30 pm (last entry)
Gates lock at 5:00 pm.
Gift shop: 10:00 am to 4:30 pm
Phone: 03 8427 2087
Closed Christmas Day, and on days of Extreme Fire Danger Rating or severe weather events.
Things To Do
Chelsea Australian Garden at Olinda
Australian Cloud Forest Collection
Tours at Dandenong Ranges Botanic Garden
Garden Café Olinda
Mist@Olinda
Alfred Nicholas Memorial Garden
Dandenong Ranges National Park
Pirianda Garden
RJ Hamer Arboretum
Wildlife and Nature
Tours and adventure experiences in parks
One of the best ways you can get into nature is with a Licensed Tour Operator.
There are more than 400 Licensed Tour Operators across Victoria who are ready and waiting to help you experience and connect with Victoria’s spectacular parks and waterways.
Discover more than 60 different types of nature-based experiences including hiking, mountain biking, boating, four-wheel driving, indigenous culture tours, birdwatching, surfing, diving and so much more.
Licensed Tour Operators know all the best places to go and will plan and prepare your visit to ensure you are safe and can enjoy your nature-based adventure to the fullest.
How to get there
Dandenong Ranges Botanic Garden
24 The Georgian Road, Olinda
The garden is located just over an hour’s drive east of Melbourne. During the busy autumn and spring seasons, and on weekends, on-site parking can be limited.
Additional parking is available nearby at the Olinda Recreation Reserve (300m), the former Olinda Golf Course (500m), and the Olinda Pool & Community House (850m) — all within a short walk of the garden’s main entrance.
If the car parks are full, we recommend visiting another nearby garden. For a quieter experience, plan your visit midweek or early in the morning.
Coach Parking
There is a dedicated coach and bus drop-off zone beside the garden entrance. After passengers have disembarked, coaches should park at the nearby Olinda Pool & Community House Car Park (79–81 Olinda-Monbulk Road, Olinda) and return to the same location for passenger collection.
When you're there
Download the Dandenong Ranges Botanic Garden Visitor Guide for more information about the garden and the many experiences to enjoy within its grounds.
For itinerary ideas and visitation tips, download the Explore Stunning Gardens in the Dandenong Ranges brochure.
Help us care for the gardens
Please help us protect the Garden by following these guidelines
- Carry in, carry out: No rubbish bins are provided, please take all waste with you.
- No pets: Dogs, cats or other animals are not permitted.
- No wheeled recreation: Bicycles, scooters, skateboards and rollerblades are not permitted.
- No drones: Use of drones is not allowed without a pre-approved permit.
- Protect the plants: Do not pick or remove vegetation — leave it for others to enjoy.
- Respect wildlife: Do not feed the wildlife.
When to go
Need to know
Dandenong Ranges Botanic Garden
Accessibility
The garden’s hilly terrain and layout may present challenges for some visitors. While the main paths are wide and have sealed surfaces, some sections are steep, and many of the minor paths are gravel.
The site has one entry/exit point and extends approximately 1.5 km to its furthest section. The return walk from Serenity Point includes several long, steep uphill sections. Allow plenty of time to explore or stay close to the gift shop to avoid the steep paths. Unassisted wheelchair access is not recommended.
Assistance Dogs
Assistance dogs are welcome in Parks Victoria parks and reserves. Entry requirements apply for parks and reserves that are usually dog prohibited, such as national parks.
Safety in nature
Please be aware that this garden is home to wildlife, including snakes and spiders. Wasps may also be in the area.
Waterbodies are for display and not for swimming; children must be closely supervised. Paths may become slippery if wet and large trees feature in this area. The garden will be closed on days of extreme winds as tree limbs can fall without warning.
This garden is closed on days of Extreme Fire Danger Rating or severe weather events.
Weddings
Thinking of holding a wedding ceremony or taking wedding photography in the garden? Find out more about wedding permit applications and guidelines.
Nearby gardens
Try one of these nearby gardens for a quieter experience:
Change of Conditions
Nature being nature, sometimes conditions can change at short notice. It’s a good idea to check this page ahead of your visit for any updates.
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Dandenong Ranges Botanic Garden
Plan Your Visit: Dandenong Ranges Botanic Garden Spring 2025
🌷 Plan Your Visit – Dandenong Ranges Botanic Garden Spring 2025Spring is the peak flowering season at the Dandenong Ranges Botanic Garden, offering 12 weeks of vibrant colour and beauty. With thousands of plants in bloom, there’s always something new to discover.🌼 When to Visit:
Expect larger crowds during spring, especially on weekends. For a quieter experience, consider visiting mid-week or early in the morning.🚗 Parking:
On-site parking is limited. Additional public parking is available at:- Olinda Recreation Reserve (300m)
- Old Olinda Golf Course Reserve (500m)
- Olinda Swimming Pool & Community House (850m)
If car parks are full, we recommend exploring another nearby garden.🌳 Prefer a Peaceful Visit?:
Try one of these nearby gardens for a quieter experience:- Pirianda Garden
- Alfred Nicholas Memorial Garden
- George Tindale Memorial Garden
- R.J. Hamer Arboretum
🌸 Understanding Spring Flowering:- Flowering varies from year to year based on
temperature, rainfall, and wind.
- Being 500m above sea level, blooms appear later
than in Melbourne’s suburbs.
- Not all flowers bloom at once—there is no single
“best” time to visit.
- Daily flowering updates are not available.
Note: The cherry blossom often disappoints—native birds feast on the few flowers produced. It’s an autumnal foliage species with better blooms found elsewhere in Melbourne.🧭 Accessibility:The garden’s hilly terrain and layout may present challenges for some visitors. While main paths are sealed and wide, they can be steep. Unassisted wheelchair access is not recommended.🚌 Garden Tour Bus:
A great option for visitors with limited mobility, this paid, one-way audio tour covers the original garden (not the Chelsea Australian Garden). Click here for more information.🚫 Visitor Guidelines:To protect this special place for everyone, please note:- No pets (including dogs and cats)
- No bikes, scooters, skateboards, or rollerblades
- No bins provided – please carry in, carry
out all rubbish.
Visitor Information – Dandenong Ranges Botanic Garden:📍 24 The Georgian Rd, Olinda
🕙 Open 7 days, 10:00am – 4:30pm (last entry)
🔒 Gates lock at 5:00pm📖 Attached: Spring Flowering Guide:Use the seasonal guide attached to explore what might be in bloom during your visit. No matter when you come, the garden offers a unique and colourful experience year-round.Attachments: DRBG Spring Flowering Guide 2025 (300KB)
- Olinda Recreation Reserve (300m)
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Olinda Falls Picnic Area
Olinda Falls Lower Viewing Platform Update
The Olinda Falls Lower Viewing Platform will be rebuilt with works expected to be completed by the end of December 2025, once complete visitors will be able to access the lower falls area. The carpark and access track to the falls will also have some improvement works completed.
How we keep it special
Management Plan
The Management Plan for the Dandenong Ranges Gardens directs all aspects of management of the gardens, including the Dandenong Ranges Botanic Garden (formerly, the National Rhododendron Garden), until the plan is reviewed. In developing the plan, Parks Victoria consulted widely with a range of interested community and stakeholder groups and individuals, and was assisted by the Dandenong Ranges Advisory Committee.
Chelsea Australian Garden at Olinda Project
In 2013, Phillip Johnson and Wes Fleming’s Trailfinders ‘Australian Garden’ exhibit became the first ever Australian entry to win at the Royal Horticultural Society’s Chelsea Flower Show. This ‘Australian Garden’ is now being re-created on over 7,000 square metres of previously unused space at the Dandenong Ranges Botanic Garden, for locals and visitors to enjoy. See the Chelsea Australian Garden at Olinda project for more details.
Olinda Precinct Project
New facilities are being developed at the nearby Olinda Precinct to provide more opportunities for people to get active in nature through community sport, and provide a place for people to meet, play, picnic and connect to the natural surroundings. Refurbishment works will transform the old golf course site into 34-hectares of recreational community parklands.