Explore
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
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 at www.emergency.vic.gov.au, on the VicEmergency smartphone app or call the VicEmergency Hotline on 1800 226 226.
This garden is closed on days of Extreme Fire Danger Rating or severe weather events.
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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Notices Affecting Multiple Sites
Board Track Closure for Fuel Reduction Burn
Planned burning operations are scheduled in this park which will result in Olinda- Board Track planned burn areas and tracks within the area being closed from the time burns are approved for ignition until areas are declared safe. Ignition of the burns are scheduled from Monday 12th May 2025 and is subject to favourable weather. Check the status of current planned burns at https://plannedburns.ffm.vic.gov.au
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)
Storm Damage affected track and trails
Approximately 15km of tracks and trails in the Dandenong Ranges National Park have been damaged by a heavy rainfall storm event in July 2024. Visitors are requested to remain alert to changing track/trail conditions and to observe any track/trail closures. This advice will stand until further updates are made as repairs take place, this may take several years due to lengthy delays involved with insurance claim processing. -
Valley Picnic Ground (RJ Hamer Arboretum, Dandenong Ranges National Park)
Valley Picnic Ground now open to vehicle access
Valley Picnic Ground access road will reopen to visitors cars on Saturday the 10th of May 2025, this will allow you to drive all the way into the picnic facilities at the carpark.The Picnic area has had a bit of a makeover with two new tables on concrete slabs and a re-positioned wood fired BBQ, please bring your own firewood. -
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.