Explore
Dandenong Ranges Botanic Garden
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.
Opening hours
Everyday: 10.00 am - 4.30 pm (last entry)
Gates lock at 5.00 pm
Gift Shop: 10.00 am - 4.30 pm
Ph: 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
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
Dandenong Ranges Botanic Garden
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 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.
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.
-
Notices Affecting Multiple Sites
Dandenong Ranges Gardens - Autumn Foliage Information
Between March and May is the peak foliage display for the Dandenong Ranges Gardens (including Dandenong Ranges Botanic Garden, Alfred Nicholas Memorial Garden, Pirianda Garden, George Tindale Memorial Garden & R.J. Hamer Arboretum). Over this 12-week period, the gardens bursts with a variety of autumn foliage colour.Being products of nature, the annual foliage display does not occur exactly at the same time each year, and from season to season. There is no “magical switch” that turns on all the autumn leaves all at once! While some trees might start changing as early as late March, generally the peak of vibrant colour is usually in the middle of the autumn season. The best time to see autumn foliage in Victoria is typically from mid-April to early May, with colours often peaking in late April and early May.The vibrancy of autumn foliage is significantly influenced by the weather during the preceding summer and early autumn. One of the key factors is consistent rainfall throughout the summer. Drought can stress the trees, causing them to shed their leaves early, as well as resulting in duller colours. Other factors to consider include the tree species; with different tree species changing colour at different times, with the exact peak-time varying depending on each location and tree type. Milder temperatures, cold nights and higher rainfall also contribute to more stunning displays. Likewise, too-much wind or heavy rain during the foliage display knocks the leaves off the trees prematurely!Unfortunately, in the lead up to autumn 2025, we have experienced above average warmer day and nighttime temperatures and much-less rainfall than normally experienced. We anticipate this autumn foliage season will most likely be delayed, less vibrant and of shorter duration. So far this year, we have not experienced any typical autumn weather conditions to support a successful 2025 foliage display.During autumn, we expect larger crowds, especially on weekends. Consider if you can visit mid-week or early in the morning when the gardens may be quieter. Parking is limited at most gardens, so if the car parks are full, we recommend you visit another site.Whenever you choose to visit, there will always be something new to see and discover. Seasonal changes ensure the garden is a year-round delight!Attachments: Explore stunning gardens in the Dandenong Ranges 2023 (4,237KB)
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.