16°C

Royal Botanic Gardens Cranbourne

Attractions Cranbourne

Description


Hours: 9am-5pm, daily. Closed on Christmas Day.

Phone: 03 5990 2200

The Royal Botanic Gardens Cranbourne is one of Victoria’s most precious areas of native bushland and offers nature-lovers the chance to explore 363 hectares of untouched heathlands, wetlands and woodlands.

Unearth the Australian Garden with its treasure trove of native Australian Flora, Dramatic sculptures, Exhibition gardens and the Rockpool Waterway, which will delight and educate the youngest imaginations.

A walk through the expansive natural bushland will give visitors an appreciation of many challenging and diverse Australian landscapes and you may even catch a glimpse of the thriving bird and animal life that have made the Royal Botanic Gardens Cranbourne their home.

Ascend the Trig Point Lookout which offers a breathtaking 360-degree viewpoint across south-eastern Victoria and as far away as Mount Macedon.

Each season brings dramatic changes to the landscape and wildlife of the Royal Botanic Gardens Cranbourne and is a must-see for all ages, whatever the weather.

Description

Royal Botanic Gardens Victoria, Cranbourne Gardens

Royal Botanic Gardens Victoria is one of the world's leading botanic gardens and a centre of excellence for horticulture, science and education. 

Royal Botanic Gardens Victoria is dedicated to the conservation, display and enjoyment of plants and extends over two locations, Melbourne and Cranbourne, and incorporates the National Herbarium of Victoria.

Royal Botanic Gardens Victoria, Cranbourne Gardens is one of Victoria’s most precious areas of remnant native bushland and offers visitors the chance to explore heathlands, wetlands and woodlands on the 363-hectare site. It is recognised as a site of State significance for flora and fauna conservation, with over 25 species listed as endangered, threatened or at risk of extinction. Following representations by the Maud Gibson Trust, Cranbourne Gardens was established in 1970 when the Victorian Government acquired the land with a view to developing it into a botanic garden that complemented Melbourne Gardens through the display of native plants and ecosystems.

Today, visitors to Cranbourne Gardens can enjoy a natural bushland experience and visit the Australian Garden. Facilities in the bushland include over ten kilometres of tracks to walk, six kilometres of cycling tracks, a lookout tower, picturesque shelters, barbecues and picnic tables. There is a range of visitor programs, as well as a self-guided walk available throughout the year. The Australian Garden, completed in October 2012, celebrates the beauty and diversity of Australian landscapes and flora and features approximately 170,000 plants from 1,700 plant varieties. Complementing the Garden are a visitor centre, café, gift shop and interpretive displays.

Download Royal Botanic Gardens Cranbourne map

More Nearby

The Hop Shop

The Hop Shop

Located in the heart of Playne Street, The Hop Shop is Frankston’s independent home of craft beer. With 18 rotating taps of curated craft beer and over 100+ cold-stored brews available for take-away ...
Rozzis

Rozzis

Frankston’s Fresh Italian Cafè with organic flavours and ranges of fresh salads, Focaccias, rocketz (calzones), pizzas and pastas. Enjoy premium coffee at Rozzi’s in the heart of Bayside Shopping Cen...
Round House

Round House

This remarkable house has been a noted feature of the approach to Oliver’s Hill since it was built for the Henty family in 1953. Completely round, it is an elegant example of the architect Roy Grounds...
Bakery Made

Bakery Made

Artisan Bakery, Sourdough, Pies, Breads, Cakes, Biscuits, Home Delivery, Store Pick Up, School Lunches.
Frankston Nature Conservation Reserve

Frankston Nature Conservation Reserve

Frankston Nature Conservation Reserve is a 98 hectare park in Frankston South. It is perfect for quiet recreational activities including going for a walk, jogging, cycling, photography and nature appr...
Bayside Shopping Centre

Bayside Shopping Centre

Bayside Shopping Centre is a super regional shopping centre consisting of over 250 specialty stores and major department stores including Myer, Coles, Target, Kmart, Woolworths, Aldi, Best & Less,...
Dreaming Poles

Dreaming Poles

Eight Dreaming Poles, created by Indigenous artists Aunty Di and Uncle Beamo, form part of the Dreaming Trail to replace the original poles which now lay in nearby garden beds as a decorative feature ...
Mirage

Mirage

Materials: Steel Dimensions: 264 x 263 x 615cm Deirdre and Harry are students of architecture and civil engineering at USYD who have experience in metal, wood and digital fabrication. Refabrica...
Rise

Rise

"The artwork titled ‘Rise’ calls upon Oneself to face their inner Demons in order to find inner peace. This can also be reflected as a Call to Action to Unite during times of crisis. The Artist’s role...
Humdinger

Humdinger

Humdinger is a local pub serving crisp cold beer and simple food. With specials on most days and live music on Fridays, Humdinger is the perfect spot for a quiet meal, a big night out or your next fu...

More Like This

walking trails sculptures gardens
Figurative Abstraction

Figurative Abstraction

Public sculpture by Norton Flavel from WA. Artists interpretation: 'Figurative Abstraction is an exploration of the relationship between the person and objects. Located at Pines Forest Aquatic Centr...
Roadside Marker

Roadside Marker

Roadside Marker - sculpture by Velislav Georgiev (born in Bulgaria) "When the wind of change blows, raise your sail and ride the waves in the sea of time". This marker is the song of the bay written...
Peninsula Pearls

Peninsula Pearls

Peninsula Pearls by local Dutch artist Manon van Kouswijk is on display until 2026 at the Skye Road interchange. Representing her passion and work as a contemporary jeweller, over thirty large ...
Langwarrin Flora and Fauna Reserve

Langwarrin Flora and Fauna Reserve

Langwarrin Flora and Fauna Reserve is an island of relatively undisturbed natural bushland surrounded by the suburbs of Frankston and Langwarrin. The park has an important place in military history wi...
The BIG Chocolate Bar

The BIG Chocolate Bar

The Big Chocolate Bar @ Chocolate Grove Chocolate Grove chief chocolatier Will Muddyman and his dedicated band of chocolate makers have been busily working away on an amazing new BIG attraction to ad...
Metamorphosis - Two Spirals

Metamorphosis - Two Spirals

Public sculpture by Tetsuro Yamasaki from Japan Artists interpretation: 'The artist creates his work with joy and happiness, surprised and inspired by mankind's discovery of iron.' Located in the Li...
Frankston Boardwalk

Frankston Boardwalk

Explore the beautiful Frankston Waterfront on the 3m wide, raised timber boardwalk designed to protect the vulnerable dune system. Walk the boardwalks and paths that stretch between Wells Street in th...
Scale

Scale

Artist: Phin Murphy, Sinatra Murphy & Andrew Hogg Design © 2022 The artwork Scale melds the themes of water, movement, and marine heritage via the narrative of the epic migration of the Short-fin...
Sweetwater Creek Reserve

Sweetwater Creek Reserve

Sweetwater Creek is a natural habitat corridor from Frankston Nature Conservation Reserve to Port Phillip Bay. Close to the mouth of the creek lies Sweetwater Creek Nature Reserve, a peaceful oasis tu...
Vertical Wave

Vertical Wave

Public sculpture by Hikaru Yumura from Japan. Artists interpretation: 'My work is the essence that comes out of the talk with the natural stone. I think not nature and art.' Located at Peninsula Aqu...

Map & Directions

Corner Ballarto Road and Botanic Drive Cranbourne Victoria 3977

Directions

The Royal Botanic Gardens Cranbourne are located at the corner of Ballarto Road and Botanic Drive in Cranbourne, a 50 minute drive from Melbourne.

Drive from Melbourne along the Monash Freeway (M1) to the South Gippsland Highway (M420). Signs to the Royal Botanic Gardens Cranbourne will direct you to Ballarto Road.
Melways Ref: 133 K10