Gorgeous! The botaniv garfens were so much fun with loads of trails to follow along with stunning little brooks and steps, hedges, footpaths and bridges, secret little nature tunnels like walking through tree tunnels. Toilets were clean and easily accessible, Cafe on site. Little garden centre and gift shop. Highly recommend a visit!

How surreal and calming 😌. The flora and fauna are just beautiful. The Gardens are a lot bigger than I realised. You could easily spend all day here. A nice picnic lunch, a beautiful day and a beautiful setting 😍 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟 On a not so nice note TO VISITORS: DON'T BE DISGUSTING TAKE YOU RUBBISH AND YOUR DIRTY NAPPIES WITH YOU. THERE ARE NO BINS SO DON'T STASH YOUR RUBBISH IN THE GARDENS.. It is not the Rangers job or other visitors to pick it up. 😡

It is such a great place to take your time and enjoy the gardens with the family. You can spend most of the day here taking in the native plants and flowers that are around the gardens or take in some of the views that you can get from some of the areas. You can stop and relax anywhere you like and take in the peacefulness of the Dandenongs.

Really beautiful visit to the gardens with the extra Chelsea Gardens being exquisite. The whole gardens is a large area so you can walk for ages between “sections”. Really lovely on a good weather day and definitely could take a small picnic or a book to enjoy in the peaceful surrounds.

It is beautiful and good walk. Weather is beautiful, bring a waterproof jacket with you. It might rain at anytime. You can enjoy the time there.

We spent an awesome few hours wandering the paths of the gardens and marvelling at the magnificent displays of stunning blooms. In future we'll endeavour to go in time to see the avenue of cherry trees in full bloom, I bet it is spectacular. This is a free garden to explore and appreciate, lots of places where you can picnic and enjoy the scenery. Please if you go, don't be like the stupid moron that climbed up a large rock and encouraged his kids to do the same. There are signs saying keep off the garden beds and rocks. Have some respect when visiting such places. Other than that enjoy the beautiful scenery and gardens. Take your own refreshments and food, the Cafe was extremely over priced. Also be aware there are no rubbish bins, take your rubbish home with you.

Any season would be great to have a walk through these gardens. Beautiful autumn colour in May. Well maintained, with mountain views, and great walking paths. Walk as little as you want or do the full circuit. Toilets, plant (mostly camellias and rhododendrons) and gift shop and take away coffee available.

During this summer season there are still a few rhodadendrums in blossom. The change of name to Botanical Gardens is reflective of the range of trees and plants. It is a fairly steep walk down to the pond then the lake, but a guided tour in a mini bus is available. it would be especially beautiful in autumn and spring. We enjoyed our picnic by the lake in the rotunda the an ice cream from the cafe back up the top level.

Came here on a nice sunny day on 22 Sep 2022 (a public holiday). The garden was over flowing with traffic and massive crowds (stop and go traffic for at least 20 minutes and only moved 5m). One tip to share: park at the overflow parking, which is only 150m away from the entrance and the parking spots were readily available (at least that was the case when we were there). Please don’t let the busy traffic deter you from visiting the garden. We had a really great time there; saw a lot of birds, and the flowers are blooming. We were mainly there to catch some cherry blossom and were super happy with what we saw. In my opinion, I don’t think it has reached full bloom yet (we still saw a lot of buds) but the park attendant said this is the best time (ie as good as it gets). We spent a good three hours there and still hadn’t covered all sections (we also spent a lot of time taking photos 😝).

I recently had the opportunity to visit the Dandenong Botanical Gardens, and despite the late autumn weather with its cloudy skies and chill in the air, the beauty of the gardens still shone through. Even at this time of year, when many plants and trees were losing their leaves, there were still pockets of vibrant colors and breathtaking scenes. Although I couldn't witness the full splendor of autumn or the blooming of spring, I couldn't help but imagine how magnificent the gardens must be during those seasons. The glimpses I caught during my visit were enough to ignite my anticipation for a return trip in the future. One of the highlights of my visit was the serenity of the gardens. It was a quiet day with few visitors, allowing me to fully immerse myself in the peaceful ambiance and appreciate the natural surroundings. During my explorations, I was fortunate enough to encounter a Lyrebird, a fascinating native Australian bird known for its impressive mimicry skills. I watched in awe as it skillfully dug the dirt, searching for a meal. Surprisingly, I managed to get closer than I expected and capture stunning photos and videos of this captivating moment using my phone. In addition to these wonderful experiences, I must also commend the maintenance and organization of the Dandenong Botanical Gardens. The pathways were well-maintained, making it easy to navigate through the different sections of the gardens. The signage and information provided were helpful in understanding the various plant species and their significance. Overall, my visit to the Dandenong Botanical Gardens in late autumn was a delightful experience, despite the cloudy and cold weather. The gardens still showcased their natural beauty, and the quietness of the day allowed for memorable encounters with wildlife. I'm eagerly looking forward to returning during different seasons to witness the gardens in their full glory. It's a place that truly captivates the senses and offers a serene escape from the hustle and bustle of everyday life.

Amazing gardens. Really picturesque, with lots of winding paths leading to other little gardens off the main path. There are also several water areas such as lakes and a waterfall. Would also be great for a picnic. Some of it is also up hill, so be prepared to do a lot of steps. I would travel especially to come here.

Wonderful gardens to take in nature's beauty for all the senses to enjoy. We loved the Chelsea Australian Garden display. Suggest going early and check the shuttle bus days if you want an extended tour without all the walking.

Absolutely stunning. I would say this park would be just as beautiful during spring Autumn and Spring. I’m surprised they don’t charge to enter, I would be more than happy to pay! They do have a donation box (which I put money into) and I think everyone should, just for the amount of work that goes into making the gardens as stunning as they are. Highly recommend going and going all through the seasons.

This place is beautiful, it beats any botanical gardens in the south east area. It's also FREE ! There is a cafe to sit down and eat at, also a gift shop with wildlife sievers, outdoor decor, native plants. It's a pretty big place also, you could easily walk around for two hours, amazing views, and lots and lots of flowers, great for photographers too. There is toilets also Very limited parking. So get there when it opens.. if you're going on a weekend. Highly recommended this place! Would return again

Absolutely serene, had a great time walking in the beautiful gardens, the lake was my absolute favorite…….sat in the beautiful bench and disappeared into my own world 🥰🥰🥰 it’s so peaceful and heavenly, very well maintained as well, variety of trees and flowers all so well preserved the drive to the garden was also so therapeutic! highly recommend when you want a break from the busy city!

Love this place and visit at least 4 times a year to fully appreciate all the different plantings. Great picnic spots, good work out as it's quite hilly with mainly sealed footpaths. On this particular visit we saw quite a few lyrebirds doing their mating dances and showing off their tale feathers and all their vocal capabilities. It was enchanting. In the past we've also seen wombats wandering about. It's beautiful and the air is always fresh. Worth a visit any time of t he year

Weekend is pretty busy and crowded but I'm happy for the amazing autumn foliage. Be there earlier as certain paths disallowed entries after 4pm. Would like to return in spring to check out the blooms.

The Garden is beautifully maintained. The walking paths take you through the variety of flora. Great day to explore these undulating gardens. Cant wait to come again when the rhododendrons are out in flower. Beautiful all year round.

Absolutely gorgeous! The colour of the changing leaves at this time of year is so pretty. A nice walk around with a slight incline heading back up to the exit. There are lots of side tracks to take you amongst the trees for a quieter walk. Gardens are beautifully kept with plenty of space to sit for a picnic. It's best to go when the gates open, as parking fills up quickly and the garden becomes very crowded.

Came here for a walk on the weekend and the gardens are simply gorgeous and is such a nice place to relax. Definitely would come back for a relaxing stroll here any day of the week. It was really busy, but I suspect that was due to the long weekend and school holidays but there was still plenty of space to walk.

Nice place for a walk. It’s pretty huge so probably need to go a few times to walk around. Love the tall trees at the car park. Nice place for kids and elderly to see some nature. Lucky to see a lyre bird in action. Would be good to see spring flowers or autumn colours when the time is right.

Mesmerising place… easily an spend a whole day with family. We went in the winters, it was lovely with all the daffodils and azaleas… summer will be pretty too. Lucky to have a visit from a friendly wombat!

It is always enjoyable, different seasons bring different colours. This week the hydrangeas are in bloom ( probably for another 2 weeks). The new Chelsea Australian Garden ($6+ million project ) was completed in June 2023. It is definitely worth a visit.

We were fortunate to be there in springtime so the colour in the flowering trees and shrubs was spectacular. The Australian section was great but unfortunately very little signage and many of their eucalypts are dead. Being free meant this was very popular on a Sunday.

Beautiful garden though i feel our visit was inbetween seasons. So there were not much blooms and loads if wilting leaves. But beautiful nonetheless and definitely a good walk through the park. Come early and properly spend time like u shld here.

Great place to visit with kids and family. It has various picnic areas to spend your day. Few spots were under maintenance so couldn’t access. Not a huge but surely not disappoint if you are a nature lover. You can also make a visit to Montrose reserve park nearby if kids get bored after walking. The entry is free and timing is from 10am to 5pm (last entry at 4:30pm). There are two parking areas which are quite busy but you will find a spot.

This is such a great park!! Loved seeing so many families picnicking and enjoying the lovely landscapes. Looking forward to see the Japanese cherry trees lane during spring! Also checkout the cute wombats 😀

In the whole greater Melbourne area, you won't find nicer Botanical Gardens in spring and early summer. It's massive and when the rhododendrons are in bloom it's stunning. The entrance is free, but a donation is possible at several places. A little shop and restroom is available as well. If you have an hour or two to spare while visiting the Dandenong Ranges, this is worth it.

Must go place in Melbourne. Very well maintained and contemplating Park. Peaceful nature will give a desired break from mundane life. Nice place for picnic. Please carry a garbage bag. And carry all of garbage while returning. There is no rubbish bin. We all have to keep this place clean.

The Dandenong Ranges Botanic Garden is beautiful all year round, but especially in spring when the flowers are in bloom! I always feel so at peace on my walks here and never feel like leaving.

It's a really massive garden. Free entry which is a bonus. So many different kinds of trees, flowers, shrubs and etc. Built many years ago by volunteers which is quite impressive. Really nice views and lovely to just take a nice walk in and chill. Perfect for an easy day out. Good for families with kids. There were many families there, yet it didn't feel crowded as it's a massive space. Lots to see. There are two lakes/ponds, and a Lookout point, all very beautiful. The Cafe inside was closed but it's a nice addition to relax and have a cuppa after your walk.

Gardens are simply gorgeous anytime of the year. A great place to relax and have a picnic. It's a short walk from the bus stop at Olinda. The views from the Lake is spectacular.

Very beautiful place. Nice collections of flowers and plants. Family friendly picnic areas. Great collections of souvenirs in the shop near entrance. Very humble, helpful and knowledgeable staff - Robin and Steve. And also there is no entry fee. Coffee shop is open only during weekend. Garden gate/entry also closes at 4:30PM.

We had a great time walking through and exploring the gardens. The Autumn colour is in full show now. It was a slow walk back up the hillside. The grounds are bigger than expected! Some areas are overgrown and unkept but I'm guessing they are short on volunteer help since covid. The cafe was closed as was one of the toilet blocks. There is definitely room for some improvements.

What a great asset in the hills! Free entry and acres of beautiful gardens. Plenty of places to stop and picnic. We went in spring and started at opening 10am. Crowds increased after that but it's massive so there's plenty of room. So many flowering plants there's probably always something happening

Went a couple of days back on the long weekend, it was very crowded due to that. There is a lot of walking uphill and downhill, however the flowers are not yet in full bloom. There are only few flowers blooming at the moment. Plenty of places to setup a picnic on large grounds so can bring the kids to enjoy the outdoors. Many people were walking their dogs aswell. Would recommend visiting in later months and not during Public Holidays if you want to avoid the crowd & get some nice pictures

Definitely a worth visit. Magnificent sceneries. Unfortunately, we didn’t have much time to visit all the locations. But I felt extremely relaxed. Worth a revisit

Magic gardens. Great walks. Colourful with a nice lake. Photographers paradise.

One of the best place to be especially in summer, good for a day trip and nice picnic in the lawn or good walk. The pictures I've posted are taken in Spring early November 2021, Some of the walks are off gravel roads and tracks so good shoes will help.

Beautiful gardens, especially the Chelsea gardens, will definitely be coming back. Unfortunately, the person at the front desk was less than friendly or helpful. If you have a query, I'd suggest googling it. It will be a more pleasant experience.

Gorgeous rhododendrons of all colors in the Spring. Spectacular views and wonderful gardens. Great place for a walk amongst God’s beauty.

Gorgeous garden which perimeter spans approximately 5km. Far enough from the city for you to feel entirely surrounded by nature. Do try to come early to give yourself enough time to walk the grounds and soak in the entire environment! Groundskeeper will start making rounds at 4.30pm to let you know gates are closing at 5pm.

The garden is well set out with different species of plants set out the garden. We went especially for Rhododendron and Azealia species, and we weren't disappointed. The main flowering was past but there was. Still plenty of colour. The entry was free, plus parking was easily found.

This was such a wonderful surprise and mindblowingly beautiful. Despite the intermittent showers, we thoroughly enjoyed meandering through the extensive and well-maintained gardens! The Dandenong Ranges Botanical Gardens are well worth seeing aside a few hours to wander around... It won't disappoint!!!

Visited in the last week of October and the view was phenomenal. The were countless buds left to bloom, I believe the best of view is yet to come in November! Plenty of picnic areas available with great panoramic views. Or just grab a coffee at the park entrance and enjoy a nice stroll.

Absolutely beautiful place to go for a walk and be surrounded by so many diverse plants. Great to go with the family or yourself, just know it will only get busier as the day progresses.

Beautiful place visit and explore. There are many different and varied routes through and around the park. The key place is the Chelsea Australia garden which is very popular and busy . It has important collections of Rhodedendrons , azaleas ,camellias .in 2013 the Australian entry became the first ever entry to win at the RHS. Now this recreation which is 20 times bigger can be enjoyed by everyone free.

Very very beautiful garden. Recommend to go in spring when everything is in follower as well as to wear hiking shoes and go on the trails.

Absolutely beautiful gardens, much bigger than what I expected! Very easy to get lost in the beauty of nature for the whole day! Wonderful grounds and plenty of places to picnic with the whole family. Will most certainly be returning!!

A fair amount of parking even on a sunny autumn Sunday. Very peaceful and cool. Easy access but hilly. The lake was serene and the tall eucalypts awe-inspiring.

Beautiful place to spend an afternoon, plenty of space for picnics, beautiful bird song, even a lovely little duck family. Fu of different colour rhododendrons, just absolutely brimming with colour. Well worth a visit.

A Botanic Garden highly recommended by the local. Indeed it was huge and will take around 2 hours to complete the whole garden. There is a big carpark and it gets full quite early. Entry to the park is free. Different variety of trees and flowers for you to admire with good pavement.

A lovely place and perhaps the best destination in the Dandenongs for young kids. It's big but my favourite spots are in the top (entrance) half anyway. It hasn't changed much since it's days as the Rhododendron Gardens, which is a good thing. There are some nice views across to the Victorian Alps. I've seen a few native animals here too, such as lyrebirds and wallabies. There's plenty of parking - you don't need to turn right into the first car park you see.

Beautiful gardens to wander around. Lovely place to read a book in the shade and areas large enough room to throw a ball around. There's still lots of flowers out at the moment.

Love this garden, we come here in Springs & Autumn every year. It is cherry blossom blooming season so beautiful! It is free entry.

Amazing scenic views and lush green garden. I visited during This Autumn and I was amazed. Full of colorful leaves. It's a great place to come and take a walk. There is parking nearby. You can buy small plants to take with you. It's a must visit. If the weather is perfect, your trip will be perfect too.

First visit to this garden. It was very nice to come and enjoy this beautiful place away from the city stress. Alot of tall and big trees. They have pond inside but somehow the path to enter was blocked. Ended up going back to main entrance. We found kookaburra. It was huge bird. They have amazing gift shop which sells souvenirs and plants. The staffs were great. They also have alot of car parking spots and toilet inside the gate. Donation was encouraged to help with the maintenance of the park. Definetely recommended.

The garden is beautiful! Unfortunately, Rhododendron has not bloomed yet. Didn't find any trash bin. Had to bring our trash to the car. And no hand wash in the toilet. Felt really unhygienic!

What a great place to go for a walk! You can easily do 4 -5Km on the various paths. Even in Winter (dress warmly: this area is a few degrees colder than Melbourne) it has a lot of charm and there is enough colour. The ideal time to go is in September, when the cherry trees are blossoming, but it's quite difficult to time a visit that perfectly, as the blossoms are over in a few days. Check out their web site for notes on when the blossoms are... blossoming! Check out the new Chelsea garden exhibit, and keep a look out for Wombats, Kookaburras and the elusive Lyre Birds. Also worth visiting the aptly named "Serenity point" although to be honest, there are better views into the distant hills from higher up close to the entrance. I'd advise grabbing a coffee before you arrive as their cafe is often closed. Entry is free and there is a little curio shop at the entrance.

Absolute treasure of a garden. The area is about 100 acre, with lots of pretty plants and trees. Some trees are so rare that you can only find them here, including one from the dinosaur era. We took the guided tour and we saw pretty much everything in the garden. The staff were very nice and welcoming. Bring your camera, breathe in some fresh air. This place will rejuvenate your tired mind and soul. It was worth visiting.

Great place for an easy walk amongst a variety of vegetation both trees and shrubs. Many plants are labelled for convenience. September/ October beautiful show of colourful Rhododendrons. Plants for sale and Australiana in the gift shop. Many areas for setting up a picnic lunch or just a chill out. Great parking just outside the gates.

Absolutely stunning!! It did end up raining, but the mountain ranges were gorgeous, and we got some really nice photos with a rainbow!

An autumn oasis full of all the transitional colours fantastic for a stroll and explore. The gardens are quite long so don your walking shoes and hat - a picnic basket wouldn’t go astray once you reach the further gardens towards the lookout. Some works in progress preventing full survey of surroundings yet without hindering a gorgeous golden hour experience.

My first visit to this Botanical Garden. An awesome place for an outing. Though is winter season now, not much flowers to see but I enjoyed the landscaping with plenty of greens. Lots of side tracks to explore. A great place for a picnic with family or friends. I love to come again in spring to see the flowers.

“Best things in life are free” is real. The garden is free to enter. I was fortunate enough to visit it when the rhododendron flowers bloom (mid-October) and words really can’t describe how gorgeous the whole garden is. Plus, souvenirs there are cool and sold at reasonable price. A must-visit!!