Explore
Opening hours
- Everyday
- 10am - 5pm
- Closed Christmas Day, and on days of Total Fire Ban or severe weather events.
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. While it's difficult to predict timing of the floral blooms, seasonal changes ensure the garden is a year-round delight.
Meander 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 and highlight the ever-changing seasonal landscape.
The Dandenong Ranges Botanic Garden is home to a staggering 15,000 rhododendrons, 12,000 azaleas, 3,000 camellias and 250,000 daffodils clothed in colour in spring and autumn. The garden houses Australia’s largest collection of Australian and overseas raised hybrids of rhododendrons that cannot be replaced, re-bred or re-imported.
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.
Things To Do
Chelsea Australian Garden at Olinda
Tours at Dandenong Ranges Botanic Garden
Café Vireya
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
The gardens are located just more than 1 hour's drive east of Melbourne. During the busy autumn and spring periods and on weekends, parking on site is limited. There is additional parking available at the nearby Olinda Recreation Reserve, the former Olinda Golf Course and Olinda Pool. These are all a short walk from the garden's main entrance.
When you're there
Download the Dandenong Ranges Botanic Garden visitor guide for more information about the park and the plethora of experiences to be had within its borders.
Help us care for the gardens:
- There are no rubbish bins provided in this garden; carry in carry out.
- No dogs, cats or other pets are permitted at this site.
- Bicycles, scooters, skateboards and rollerblades are not permitted.
- Drones are not permitted without a pre-approved permit.
- Plants and flowers are protected for the benefit of the community. Leave the plants for others to enjoy.
- Do not feed the wildlife.
When to go
Need to know
Accessibility
Due to its location, shape and topography, accessibility at the garden can be challenging. The site has one entry/exit and extends approximately 1.5km to its furthest point. While the main paths are a wide with sealed surfaces, some sections are steep and many of the minor paths are gravel.
The return walk from Serenity Point has some long and steep uphill sections. Allow plenty of time to visit this garden or stay close to the areas nearest the gift shop. 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 in a high fire danger area and will be closed on days of Total Fire Ban.
Weddings
Thinking of holding a wedding ceremony or taking wedding photography in the garden? Find out more about wedding permit applications and guidelines.
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.
