We love exploring the different areas of the Royal Botanic Gardens in Melbourne, but have you visited its sister site in Cranbourne? Located an hour away from the city, this massive space features the award-winning Australian Garden, surrounded by a whopping 363 hectares of native bushland. With around 100,000 plants to admire in the garden, as well as walking trails, barbeque areas and playgrounds, the Royal Botanic Gardens Cranbourne is a great visit for the whole family. It’s also on the way to other popular sites like Phillip Island and the Mornington Peninsula, making it a great pit stop. It’s open daily, but if you needed a special reason to visit, the Australian Garden is turning 20, and is offering heaps of fun activities to celebrate.
Royal Botanic Gardens Cranbourne
These beautiful gardens were named by the New York Times as one of the must-see gardens in the world last year. Appearing 6th on the list, this Cranbourne destination was praised for its contemporary landscape design, its huge variety of plants and the “impressive” preserved bushland.
As you can guess from the name, the Australian Garden showcases the unique, rare and wonderful flora and fauna of Australia. Take a stroll through the garden, and gaze at 1,900 plant varieties from around the country, including eucalyptus, wattle, grevillea, grass trees, kangaroo paw, bottle trees and the prehistoric Wollemi pine.
Your journey through the space begins with the Red Sand Garden. The centrepiece of the Australian Garden, this fascinating space offers an artistic interpretation of Australia’s Red Centre. Continue around the garden to see little lakes and themed sections, like the aromatic Peppermint Garden, the lush Gondwana Garden and the Weird and Wonderful Garden.
The garden is also home to one of the last remaining populations of Southern Brown Bandicoots and Pookila, as well as other native animals like koalas, echidnas, kookaburras and tawny frogmouths.
Pack a picnic to enjoy on the Ian Potter Lakeside Precinct Lawn. Settle into this grassy area, and graze on easy bites while enjoying views of the lake. If you don’t feel like bringing your own food, you can also pre-order a picnic pack. Or, pop into Boon Wurrung Café for pastries, cakes, wraps, coffee, cocktails and more.
20th anniversary celebrations
From Friday, April 10 to Sunday, April 12, there will be some free and low-cost activities to celebrate two decades of the Australian Garden.
The whole family will have fun with a live performance inspired by the Southern Brown Bandicoot, as well as story sessions, an interactive Wild City art exhibition, live music and posting a wish on the Wishing Tree. Nature enthusiasts can take part in guided walks, horticulture tours and workshops.
To see the full schedule, click here.
Cranbourne Bushland
While you’re there, don’t forget to explore the surrounding bushland, which is home to over 450 indigenous plant species. Stretch your legs on over 10 kilometres of walking trails, or bring your bike along and travel along six kilometres of cycling tracks.
Over 215 species, including kangaroos, wallabies and koalas, call this place home. If you’re lucky, you might see one of them on your adventures.
If you can’t resist a good view, walk along to Trig Point Tower, and take in unobstructed views of Melbourne CBD, the Dandenong Ranges and French Island.
Pack a picnic or make use of the barbeque facilities, and let the kids have fun on the two playgrounds. There’s also large open grasslands, which are perfect for ball games.
Key info:
📅Open daily except for Christmas Day (December 25)
🕒9am to 5pm
🎫Free entry
📍 Ballarto Road &, Botanic Drive, Cranbourne VIC 3977
Plan your visit here.
