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RJ Hamer Arboretum
R.J Hamer Arboretum provides a wonderful area for recreation or relaxation. The Latin word arboretum means a place for trees. Originally a pine plantation, the present-day 101-hectare Arboretum was established in the 1970s and provides distant views of the Yarra Valley and the Great Dividing Range.
Here, you will find over 150 species of native and exotic trees. The Arboretum was designed around a forest formation where each species is represented by an irregular shaped patch of trees. Unlike most typical arboretums, R. J Hamer includes rows upon rows of varying species, representing mini-forests that stretch over the rolling hills.
Large plantings of northern hemisphere forest species can be found here, including many from the USA and China. These provide an impressive display of autumn colour. An impressive avenue of Japanese Cedar greets you on entry to the arboretum's main car park.
R. J Hamer Arboretum is a beautiful area for both relaxation and recreation providing many quiet opportunities for reflection whilst soaking in the magnificent view. The arboretum acts as a local corridor for native wildlife, with lyrebirds, echidnas and owls often seen or heard.
Bring a picnic or BBQ lunch and enjoy a breath of fresh air in one of the designated picnic areas. Electric barbecues, picnic tables and toilet facilities are located close to the Woolrich/Chalet Road car park.
Talk a walk along one of the many walking tracks and admire the unique visual story. Sit and take in the tranquil beauty and breathtaking views. Walk your dog on-lead and take in the views together on the many walking tracks. Be sure to stay within the arboretum's borders as dogs are not permitted in the surrounding national park.
Things to do in the area
Dandenong Ranges Botanic Garden
Pirianda Garden
William Ricketts Sanctuary
Dandenong Ranges National Park
Silvan Reservoir Park
RJ Hamer Arboretum
This area is well known for its wildlife. Keep an eye out for:
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
RJ Hamer Arboretum
When you're there
Park information, toilet, picnic, barbecue and parking facilities are available at the Woolrich/Chalet Road Car Park.
Dogs are allowed in the arboretum but must be on a leash at all times. Please respect others use of the arboretum by cleaning up after your dog. Note that the arboretum is surrounded by national park where your dog is not allowed, so please observe the boundaries of the property.
Bins are not provided. Please take your rubbish with you.
Please use the electric barbecues provided. Portable solid fuel barbecues and fires are not permitted.
Need to know
RJ Hamer Arboretum
Accessibility
Visiting a park can be more of a challenge for people with disabilities, however in Victoria there are a wide range of facilities to help people of all abilities enjoy our wonderful parks around the state.
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.
Weddings
Thinking of holding a wedding ceremony or taking wedding photography in the R. J. Hamer Arboretum?
Find out more about wedding permit applications and guidelines.
Safety
Fire protection has been an integral part of development within the arboretum. Its location on the upper north facing slopes of the main east west ridge, is an area of high strategic importance for fire protection. Therefore, a major consideration of the arboretum’s establishment was the pattern of roads and tracks, and the reduced inflammability of most of the species being planted, to substantially impede a fire and allow fire fighting.
R.J Hamer Arboretum is in the Central fire district. Bushfire safety is a personal responsibility. Anyone entering parks and forests during the bushfire season needs to stay aware of forecast weather conditions. Check the Fire Danger Rating and for days of Total Fire Ban at www.emergency.vic.gov.au, on the VicEmergency smartphone app or call the VicEmergency Hotline on 1800 226 226. No fires may be lit on Total Fire Ban days.
On Catastrophic Fire Danger Rating days and Total Fire Ban days, this park will be closed for public safety. Closure signs will be erected but do not expect an official warning. Check the latest conditions on this page or by calling 13 1963.
For emergency assistance call Triple Zero (000). If there is a green emergency marker sign near you, read the information on the marker to the operator.
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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Valley Picnic Ground (Dandenong Ranges National Park, RJ Hamer Arboretum)
Valley Picnic Ground Closed
- Valley Picnic Ground is closed, the site will eventually be improved after it was damaged in the June 2021 Storm event ; visitors can use Boundary Road to access the park however no vehicle access to the picnic ground carpark is permitted. Please use Eagle Nest or Kalorama Park Picnic Ground as an alternative.
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RJ Hamer Arboretum
R.J. Hamer Arboretum Visitor Guide & Map
Please find attached the current R.J. Hamer Arboretum Visitor Guide & park map:Attachments: Park-note-RJ-Hamer-Arboretum (222KB)
How we keep it special
The site is a small portion of the original Dandenong and Woori Yallock State Forest which was proclaimed some 130 years ago. The region is no stranger to fire and much of the area has been destroyed due to fire over the years. January 1962 saw a disastrous fire spread through the area, following this a proposal was put forward to establish a Forest Arboretum which was approved by the government in 1970. Fire protection has been an integral part of the park development therefore a major consideration of the region was the pattern of roads and tracks.
Regeneration of indigenous flora within the plantations over recent decades has compromised the exotic collections. A program of removing indigenous trees to restore the integrity of the plantations of northern hemisphere forest trees is continuing.
Chelsea Australian Garden at Olinda
In 2013, Wes Fleming and Phillip Johnson’s Trailfinders ‘Australian Garden’ display became the first ever Australian entry to win at the Royal Horticultural Society’s Chelsea Flower Show. This ‘Australian Garden’ display is being recreated on over 7,000 square metres of a previously unused section of the Dandenong Ranges Botanic Gardens. Find out more about the Chelsea Australian Garden at Olinda.
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.