Gardens in the Dandenong Ranges

Tucked into the hillsides and just a short drive east of Melbourne lie the great gardens of the Dandenongs. These picturesque gardens have breathtaking views of the Warburton Ranges and are framed by Mountain Ash trees. Seasonal changes ensure they are an all-year-round delight. Many of the gardens are free to visit.

Gardens which are Free to Visit

Alfred Nicholas Gardens (Sherbrooke)

The many linking paths through this garden take you beneath a canopy of the awesome mountain ash trees of the Dandenong Ranges. The garden was part of the historic Burnham Beeches Estate, home of Alfred Nicholas, developer of the Aspro formula. It is known for its extensive water features including waterfalls and a picturesque ornamental lake complete with boathouse.

In spring view the flowering azaleas, cherry trees and viburnum and enjoy the colourful foliage in the autumn.

Opening Hours: Open 10am to 5pm every day except days of Total Fire Ban and severe weather events.
Admission Prices: Free admission
Access for dogs: Dogs are allowed but must be on a leash.

George Tindale Memorial Garden (Sherbrooke)

The garden contains a number of plants rarely found in cultivation, which are suited to the conditions found in the Dandenong Ranges. There are extensive collections of magnolias, rhododendrons, camellias, azaleas, fuchsias and hydrangeas will delight garden enthusiasts.

The gardens offer something new with each season - a myriad of flowers in spring; hydrangeas, lilliums and fuchsias in summer; a canopy of gold, red, orange and burgundy in Autumn and the flowers of the Lenten Rose or Hellebore beneath flowering shrubs in winter.

Opening Hours: Open 10am to 5pm every day except days of Total Fire Ban and severe weather events.
Admission Prices: Free admission
Access for dogs: Dogs are allowed but must be on a leash.

Mount Dandenong Arboretum (Mount Dandenong)

The sixteen hectare Mount Dandenong Arboretum features conifers and deciduous trees of national significance. The collection includes spectacular trees from around the world.

Opening Hours: Open 24 hours
Admission Prices: Free admission
Access for dogs: Dogs are allowed but must be on a leash.

Dandenong Ranges Botanic Gardens (Olinda)

The 42 hectare gardens which were formerly named the National Rhododendron Gardens, are host to brilliantly coloured blooms of rhododendrons, azaleas, camellias, cherries and daffodils. Seasonal changes ensure the gardens are a delight all year around. There are wonderful views of the Yarra Valley and Great Dividing Range.

Opening Hours: Open 10.00am to 5.00pm daily (last entry 4.30pm) except Christmas Day. The garden may close during dangerous weather conditions, high fire risk or for major works.
Admission Prices: Free admission
Access for dogs: Dogs are not permitted.

Pirianda Garden (Olinda)

Pirianda Garden is a beautiful woodland garden containing a unique collection of plants including many trees which are botanically significant and considered rare in cultivation in Australia. Unusual trees and shrubs blend harmoniously with ferns and the impressive Blackwoods and Mountain Ash provide shady over storey as you walk through the garden to the terraces and peaceful fern gully below.

The garden is particularly beautiful in autumn when the trees change colour to the many hues of orange, red and yellow. Enjoy magnificent views, tranquil walks and picnicking on the lawns at Pirianda Gardens.

Opening Hours: Open 10am to 5pm every day except days of Total Fire Ban and severe weather events.
Admission Prices: Free admission
Access for dogs: Dogs are allowed but must be on a leash.

RJ Hamer Arboretum (Olinda)

Visitors to the RJ Hamer Arboretum can take a quiet, peaceful stroll along the many walking tracks and roads providing access to the 126 hectares of breathtaking scenery and tranquil beauty that the Arboretum has to offer. 'Arboretum' is a Latin word meaning a place for trees and an Arboretum can simply be called a 'tree museum'.

Opening Hours: Open 10am to 5pm every day except days of Total Fire Ban and severe weather events.
Admission Prices: Free admission
Access for dogs: Dogs are allowed but must be on a leash.

Gardens with an Admission Fee

Alowyn Gardens (Yarra Glen)

Alowyn Garden is designed along strong symmetrical lines that become blurred by the softness of the spaces and the grace of the trees, within an area of approximately 4 acres. There are 5 clearly defined areas within the gardens, a perennial border, designed to display colour from Spring to Autumn, a silver birch forest, an edible garden of generous proportions, a parterre garden and a number of display gardens. The formal parterre garden is built along 17th century design principles, leads you through to a series of smaller courtyards and display gardens. Through all these area runs a wisteria and rose covered archway 100m long with a sunken garden and a classical fountain as a centre piece.

Opening Hours: Seven days per week: 10.00am to 5.00pm. Close at 4.00pm on some Saturdays and Sundays for weddings (please ring to check). Public Holidays: 10.00am to 5.00pm. Closed Christmas Day & Boxing Day.
Admission Prices: Adults: $12, Concession: $10, 13 and under: Free

Cloudehill Nursery & Garden (Olinda)

Cloudehill is Australia's most ambitious garden in one of the finest locations for serious gardening world-wide. It is also home to a nursery and restaurant and significant examples of garden art is displayed throughout the gardens. Highlights of the garden include two magnificent Japanese weeping maples, water garden, herbaceous borders, Commedia dell'arte lawn, Summer house garden, quadrangle lawn, gallery walk, peony pavilion, shade borders, azalea steps, upper meadow, beech walk and kitchen garden.

Opening Hours: Seven Days 10am - 4pm
Admission Prices: Adults: $10, Children: Free, Diggers Club Members: Free
Access for dogs: Dogs are allowed but must be on a leash