Welcome to the Dandenong Ranges, with dappled sunlight, stunning mountain ash trees and a climate that ensures something is blossoming no matter the season. Just shy of an hour’s drive from Melbourne’s CBD, the Dandenong Ranges National Park is the perfect place for a mid-week visit, a destination to make that ‘visiting relative’ green with envy. For those planning their visit in the coming weeks, don't forget to drop into the Tesselaar's KaBloom Festival and Cloudehill Gardens Festival of Flowers! A real highlight in the Dandenongs at this time of the year!
Check out these Must See Gardens of the Dandenong Ranges National Park or scroll down to view the regions upcoming events.
Dandenong Ranges Botanic Gardens
Soak in the rich coloured blossoms, the sound of kookaburras and beautiful fragrances of wildflowers at the Dandenong Ranges Botanic Gardens. Formerly known as The National Rhododendron Gardens, these gardens are a Dandenong Ranges landmark, and only a stone’s throw away from Olinda. Take a walk along the perfectly curated paths and discover the native plant and wildlife that visitors on TripAdvisor are raving about. These gardens are stunning during Autumn from late March through to May, and for Spring-bloom during August and September - Don't forget your camera as the colours for both seasons are absolutely spectacular!
Details
Days: Everyday
Hours: 10am - 5pm
Cost: Free
Alfred Nicholas Gardens
Stretch your legs with a walk around the Alfred Nicholas Gardens - A gem in the Dandenong Ranges national park. The park has it all: jaw-droppingly beautiful waterfalls, wildlife and of course stunning gardens packed with iconic plants and flowers of the Dandenongs. Oh, and watch your step as echidnas have been known to scuddle across the walking paths!
Details
Days: Everyday
Hours: 10am - 5pm
Cost: Free
George Tindale Gardens
Walking distance from Alfred Nicholas Gardens, stroll over to George Tindale Memorial Gardens and discover the early settler, European-inspired garden. The garden features an enviable collection of rare and exotic plants and flowers - and no matter what time of year, there always seem to be a flower blossoming! Escape the heat of the city and immerse yourself in the cool mountain air, relax as nature unfolds and just watch time halt to pause as you visit these truly wonderful gardens.
Details
Days: Everyday
Hours: 10am - 5pm
Cost: Free
Cloudehill Gardens
Described as one of the must-see gardens of the Dandenong Ranges, Cloudehill Gardens and Diggers Club Nursery is one not to miss on your must see garden adventure. Get lost in the themed garden rooms, discover the iconic art pieces of well-acclaimed artists and quietly walk through the adjoining private garden to view the native lyrebirds. Wrap it up overlooking the gardens with a warm cuppa at Seasons Restaurant. Oh, and the claret ash and Japanese maples are stunning during autumn! Click here to view upcoming events at Cloudehill Gardens.
Details
Days: Everyday
Hours: 9am - 5pm
Cost: $10 (Children - Free Entry)
Sky High Mount Dandenong
Don’t drive past Sky High Mount Dandenong thinking it’s just stunning views. You’ll find sweeping lawns, a children’s maze, a healthy population of native birdlife and beautiful majestic flowers in the English Garden. Experience the garden as dappled light pierces through the Australian Blackwoods and top it off overlooking the city of Melbourne with a scone and a pot of tea at the Sky High cafe.
Details
Days: Everyday
Hours: 9am - 10pm
Cost: Free
Pirianda Gardens
Off the beaten track and overlooked by many visitors, Pirianda Gardens is a truly unique experience. Observe the vista views across Cardinia Reservoir as you make your way down the zigzagging walkway to discover the lower garden - a tranquil garden that really does have it all. You’ll be found gazing at the vibrant colour infusion of blooming flowers and moss, definitely one of those ‘ahhh’ moments.
Details
Days: Everyday (except Christmas Day)
Hours: 9am - 10pm
Cost: Free
In this post
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Dandenong Ranges Botanic Garden
Dandenong Ranges Botanic Garden is an iconic tourist attraction found on the Dandenongs... Read more. -
Alfred Nicholas Gardens
Situated on the gorgeous Sherbrooke Road in the Dandenong Ranges, the Burnham Beeches Estate is home to the stunning and highly regarded Alfred Nicholas Gardens. -
George Tindale Gardens
Another one of the more beautiful gardens in the Dandenong Ranges is the unique George Tindale Gardens. Just meters from the iconic Alfred Nichols Gardens, it makes the perfect combination of sights to see whilst travelling through Sherbrooke, one of The Dandenong’s leafier suburbs. -
Cloudehill Gardens
A must see garden made at the top of The Dandenongs where a maze of stone walls and jewel like garden rooms are set within woodlands of magnificent and historic, cool climate trees. -
Seasons Restaurant at Cloudehill
Seasons Restaurant at Cloudehill provides a unique dining experience using the best and freshest local produce complementing the view over Cloudehill. -
SkyHigh Mount Dandenong
Less than one hour from Melbourne you can be SkyHigh – on the uppermost reach of the Dandenong Ranges, amid cool fern glades and lush towering native forest. Enjoy our bistro, gardens, SkyHigh hedged maze, walks and more -
SkyHigh Gardens and Maze
Situated less than an hour from the CBD, with views of the city skyline or and the majestic sweep of Victoria's Port Phillip Bay, SkyHigh has a hedge maze sculptures, illusions and plenty of beautiful climbing rose bushes. -
Pirianda Gardens
The 11 hectare terraced gardens of Pirianda are distinctive for their combination of botanically important trees, shrubs and perennials with an overstorey of large blackwoods and mountain ash towering over the natural fern gullies.
