Royal Botanic Gardens Victoria

Royal Botanic Gardens Victoria

Royal Botanic Gardens Victoria
4.5
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Monday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Tuesday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Wednesday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Thursday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Friday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Saturday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Sunday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
About
Cranbourne Gardens is one of Victoria's most precious areas of native bushland and home to an amazing range of plant and wildlife. More than 400 plant species provide food and habitat for over 150 bird species and more than 20 mammals, including koalas, wallabies and the nationally endangered southern brown bandicoots. In the heart of the bushland, discover the stunning Australian Garden and soak in the beauty and diversity of Australian flora that reflect the true essence of the Australian landscape. Hop aboard The Explorer or discover the stunning landscapes with a walking tour.
Suggested duration
1-2 hours
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  • Marie Z
    Melbourne, Australia20 contributions
    A wonderful showcase of Australian Flora
    Cranbourne Botanical Gardens is a great place to visit, you can appreciate the amazing diversity of Australian plants along with the peace and tranquility of the whole area. The garden design is inspiring and a delight. Would highly recommend booking a guided tour, our guide was extremely knowledgeable about the gardens and the plants in it which adds to the experience.
    Thank you so much for your lovely feedback. It's always a delight to hear that the hard work put in by all involved to make the gardens look as beautiful as they do is paying off. Our tour guides are very much in tune with the different aspects of Cranbourne Gardens and offer such a wealth of information. Again, thanks so much and we look forward to seeing you again in the not-too-distant future.
    Written January 29, 2023
    This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
    Visited December 2022
    Written December 15, 2022
  • danwH9886FV
    Suffolk, United Kingdom7 contributions
    Plant lovers, it’s worth it. Hot day paddle in stream makes it bearable for kids.
    Amazing plants and fab design. A must for plant lovers. It’s free so fork out for the $15 tour on a buggy - train to get a guide and idea of the scale of it. Just wish cafe was friendly.
    Thank you so much for your feedback. It is great that you went on the Explorer and got to know about the Gardens. Your feedback in regard to the Cafe has been forwarded on to the appropriate parties.
    Written January 29, 2023
    This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
    Visited January 2023
    Traveled solo
    Written January 16, 2023
  • Helen S
    1 contribution
    A great way to understand the Gardens
    The walking tour was a wonderful way to get a sense of the layout of the gardens as well as some of the ideas underlying its breathtaking design. Barrie was also extremely knowledgeable and shared many interesting features of plants we passed by. Our day as a whole was both wonderfully relaxing and stimulating.
    Thank you for your kind words. Barrie is one of more experienced guides and it was a bonus that you had him on the day to guide you through the Gardens. We are happy you had a great experience and look forward to seeing you again in the not-too-distant future.
    Written January 29, 2023
    This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
    Visited January 2023
    Traveled with friends
    Written January 21, 2023
  • DiggoryP
    London, United Kingdom118 contributions
    Worth the journey
    About an hour drive from Melbourne the gardens are worth a visit. The site was used to provide sand for industry until 1970s. Now it is a garden that showcases Austrian landscape and native plants. Still a work in progress it nevertheless very well worth seeing. You can walk round yourself or get a guide to help you explore. The cafe sells excellent food ranging from burgers and chips to various toasties with salad. And an excellent fresh fruit salad.
    Thank you for your wonderful feedback. I must agree with the fruit salad in the cafe, it is delicious! The Australian Garden is indeed like any home garden which comes with its challenges and triumphs. We have recently upgraded the Arid Garden and the Dry River Bed is currently undergoing a major overhaul. The Visitor Centre has now also reopened to the public, with a terrific space to sit and take a breath after experiencing the Australian Garden. Thanks again for your kind words and we hope to see you again soon in the not-too-distant future.
    Written January 29, 2023
    This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
    Visited January 2023
    Traveled as a couple
    Written January 27, 2023
  • 78jubilata
    Paris, France6 contributions
    Shuttle bus to Cranbourne Gardens
    Thoroughly enjoyed our visit to Cranbourne Gardens. Weather wasn't great but that didn't stop us enjoying the Explorer bus tour with a very informative commentary. Amazing range of colourful flowers on show! A tasty lunch, with a table overlooking the gardens, was just the thing for a showery day. For us the extra-special 'bit' was that we didn't have to drive. A 58 minute train ride from Flinders St station to Cranbourne station and then we hopped on the pre-booked shuttle bus for our trip to the Gardens. Book your FREE return trip shuttle bus online via the Cranbourne Gardens website. Highly recommended.
    Hi, Thank you so much for your lovely feedback! Unfortunately, we cannot control the weather, but we are so pleased that we could offer you the other services to make your day an enjoyable one. Spring has sprung and it is a magical time at Cranbourne Gardens. We are so glad you got the opportunity to experience it. We hope to see you again soon when the weather is more favourable.
    Written September 19, 2023
    This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
    Visited August 2023
    Traveled as a couple
    Written August 31, 2023
  • Aussiefoodfreak
    Malvern, Australia29 contributions
    BRILLIANT
    A great place to visit! We had been here about ten years ago and to see the change was amazing. The work that has gone into the place is incredible! We took the “train trip” first. Peter the driver was excellent. We then walked around for an hour and three quarters! It was brilliant. Congratulations to all involved.
    Thanks so much for your lovely words, we are really pleased you had a great experience. Peter, our Garden Explorer driver is an absolute treasure, and we are so lucky to have him as part of our Visitor Experience Team. The garden is constantly growing and evolving, so every visit will bring something new, whether it be a plant flowering or freshly constructed decking! We hope that you will get another opportunity to visit us in the not-too-distant future.
    Written September 19, 2023
    This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
    Visited September 2023
    Traveled as a couple
    Written September 12, 2023
  • Peter B
    35 contributions
    Great gardens experience!
    Fantastic gardens highlight the diversity and unique character of Australian vegetation. So well laid out, explained and maintained! Free entry and for those with mobility issues free electric scooter. I came with my sister who loved being able to get around so easily. Book the 🛵 before to be sure. Definitely a must visit for local and international peeps.
    Thanks so much for your lovely feedback! Our horticultural team work hard to make the gardens beautiful and with Spring well upon us, there is so much in flower. We are so pleased that you utilised the accessibility features, making it an enjoyable experience for you. We hope to see you again soon!
    Written September 24, 2023
    This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
    Visited September 2023
    Traveled as a couple
    Written September 21, 2023
  • Sheryl B
    1 contribution
    For the love of plants.
    I took the bus tour to get an overview, had a lovely lunch in the cafe and then spent a leisurely 2 hours walking through the gardens. Such a diversity of plants, colours, shapes, sizes and perfumes. And all Australian!! A great day out.
    Thanks for your lovely review! We are delighted you enjoyed your visit to Cranbourne Gardens and got to experience the sights, sounds and smells of our beautiful Garden. We hope to see you again soon.
    Written November 28, 2023
    This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
    Visited September 2023
    Traveled solo
    Written October 17, 2023
  • Chris K
    Ocean Grove, Australia224 contributions
    Afternoon with plants
    Well we had planned to visit these gardens for some time and we were not disappointed. There is a map of the whole garden with a map of a smaller more developed area and 4 hours saw us no further than the small area. There are areas of fascinating plant displays and garden setups. I loved the Eucalyptus displays and how they are grown in areas that look like their natural habitat. There is arid areas and wet areas ++++ There was nothing I disliked Easy parking, great map, great cafe and a well worthwhile experience, in fact a fantastic experience.
    We are delighted that you had a wonderful experience at Cranbourne Gardens and even more delighted that you have an excuse to return to us to see more that is on offer. We look forward to seeing you again in the not-too-distant future.
    Written November 28, 2023
    This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
    Visited January 2023
    Traveled as a couple
    Written October 29, 2023
  • gayle602017
    Melbourne, Australia2 contributions
    Birds in the Australian Garden - Royal Botanic Garden Cranbourne
    We went on Birds in the Australian Garden event and were delighted with the number of birds we saw. Our guide (Sharon) gave an excellent tour with lots of fun facts. She was able to identify the calls of different birds which was very helpful when trying to distinguish tiny birds high up in the trees. Would highly recommend this fabulous event.
    Thank you so much for your feedback! We are pleased that you gained some valuable knowledge from Sharon, our Guide. Sharon has a passion for our garden and the beautiful birds that inhabit it and that passion oozes out of her when she gives her tours. I will pass your lovely feedback to Sharon; she will be delighted you enjoyed her tour.
    Written November 28, 2023
    This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
    Visited October 2023
    Traveled with family
    Written November 25, 2023
These reviews are the subjective opinion of Tripadvisor members and not of TripAdvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information.
Popular mentions

4.5
563 reviews
Excellent
418
Very good
126
Average
15
Poor
0
Terrible
4

Ado
Hobart, Australia3 contributions
May 2021
The gardens are amazing and I’ll rate them highly in a separate review. Getting to and from the gardens, however, is a real issue if you don’t have a car. They have a free shuttle bus to the station which sounds great but it’s only three times a day and for only nine people. We used google maps and caught local buses to get there but this involved long walks (30mins) along the roadside where there is no footpath. On the way out we actually had to climb through a hole in the fence to get to the bus stop!
With so much investment in the gardens, I would have thought it would be more accessible to interstate visitors wanting to get out of the CBD - public transport is also better for the environment.
Written May 2, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thank you for taking the time to send us your feedback on the Cranbourne Shuttle Bus. We are sorry you had challenges reaching the Gardens. To avoid disappointment, we recommend that everyone makes a booking prior to planning to ride the bus. Bookings can be made by calling (03) 5990 2200. Pick up and drop off locations are listed below and transit time is around 25 minutes. The shuttle runs 7 days a week. Pick-up: Cranbourne Train Station’s Train Replacement Bus Stop, first shelter opposite train platform, second bay Drop-off: Visitor centre, Cranbourne Gardens Cranbourne station to Gardens: 10:45am, 11:35am and 2:10pm Cranbourne Gardens to Station: 11:10am, 1:45pm, 2:35pm The bus is wheelchair accessible and baby seat available (bookings essential).
Written May 4, 2021
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

Oldjack
Greater Melbourne, Australia27,762 contributions
Dec 2020
The 15 HA Australian Garden is an excellent display of Australia and its plant life from the arid desert to tropical areas and running streams and lakes.It is well designed and interesting with an excellent display of the diversity of plants found in Australia. For somewhere for a pleasant walk or to study in detail the diverse range of Australian plants you cannot beat the Royal Botanic Gardens Australian Garden at Cranbourne. An excellent example of a well-planned exhibition of native plants.
Written December 29, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thank you for your lovely review. We are really pleased that you enjoyed the Garden and its diversity. Every season there is something different flowering, which makes the experience different to the last. We hope you can come again during another season to enjoy what's in bloom.
Written February 23, 2021
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

Yvonne K
Cheshire, UK141 contributions
Jan 2022 • Friends
As a Uk visitor our daughter who lives in Melbourne suggested a visit having seen the web site. It did not disappoint. It was well worth the journey from Coburg.
On arrival plenty of parking . It was a hot day so decided on lunch in the cafe this was excellent, good selection of sandwiches wraps ciabatta salads and hot food too. An amazing selection of cakes too. Reasonably priced, spotless clean and friendly service.
After lunch ventured to the gardens . Do well planned and designed. The open air tour bus was excellent with running commentary from driver who helped us experience sound and scent in areas. Excellent. We then walked to the highest point and sat in the shade of trees in deck chairs enjoying the tranquility.
A great place for families, picnics and of interest to the horticultural heritage .
Thanks a duper visit .
Written January 22, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
It's lovely to know that we have had some international visitors to showcase our award winning garden to, given the current climate of late! I am so glad you had a wonderful day and that your positive experiences in the cafe and on the Garden Explorer further enhanced your time at the Gardens. We would be so pleased if you would let your UK friends know about us, should they be fortunate enough to head our way in the not too distant future. We also look forward to subsequent visits from you should the situation allow. Thank you!
Written January 23, 2022
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

78jubilata
Paris, France6 contributions
Aug 2023 • Couples
Thoroughly enjoyed our visit to Cranbourne Gardens. Weather wasn't great but that didn't stop us enjoying the Explorer bus tour with a very informative commentary. Amazing range of colourful flowers on show! A tasty lunch, with a table overlooking the gardens, was just the thing for a showery day.

For us the extra-special 'bit' was that we didn't have to drive. A 58 minute train ride from Flinders St station to Cranbourne station and then we hopped on the pre-booked shuttle bus for our trip to the Gardens.
Book your FREE return trip shuttle bus online via the Cranbourne Gardens website.
Highly recommended.
Written September 1, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Hi, Thank you so much for your lovely feedback! Unfortunately, we cannot control the weather, but we are so pleased that we could offer you the other services to make your day an enjoyable one. Spring has sprung and it is a magical time at Cranbourne Gardens. We are so glad you got the opportunity to experience it. We hope to see you again soon when the weather is more favourable.
Written September 19, 2023
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

Marie Z
Melbourne, Australia20 contributions
Dec 2022
Cranbourne Botanical Gardens is a great place to visit, you can appreciate the amazing diversity of Australian plants along with the peace and tranquility of the whole area. The garden design is inspiring and a delight. Would highly recommend booking a guided tour, our guide was extremely knowledgeable about the gardens and the plants in it which adds to the experience.
Written December 16, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thank you so much for your lovely feedback. It's always a delight to hear that the hard work put in by all involved to make the gardens look as beautiful as they do is paying off. Our tour guides are very much in tune with the different aspects of Cranbourne Gardens and offer such a wealth of information. Again, thanks so much and we look forward to seeing you again in the not-too-distant future.
Written January 29, 2023
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

danwH9886FV
Suffolk, UK7 contributions
Jan 2023 • Solo
Amazing plants and fab design. A must for plant lovers. It’s free so fork out for the $15 tour on a buggy - train to get a guide and idea of the scale of it. Just wish cafe was friendly.
Written January 16, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thank you so much for your feedback. It is great that you went on the Explorer and got to know about the Gardens. Your feedback in regard to the Cafe has been forwarded on to the appropriate parties.
Written January 29, 2023
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

Jan M
Cobram, Australia84 contributions
May 2022
Spent 6 hours wandering , looking and learning. Very much enjoyed the display gardens, Learnt a lot - very interesting to see readily available plants used in different ways. Managed to fit in one of the bush walks, recommend Trig Lookout for a wonderful view.
Enjoyed a lovely lunch at the cafe, some gluten free options available and staff had an understanding of gluten free requirements.
Written May 19, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thank you for your lovely review! We are glad that you spent a considerable amount of time exploring Cranbourne Gardens. There is so much to see. We hope you can make another visit, maybe in Spring, when our bush land takes on a whole different look, with so much in flower and the Australian Garden in bloom. Thanks again!
Written June 19, 2022
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

Alison H
5 contributions
Oct 2022
A lovely botanic garden of Australian plants to visit. Interesting groupings of plants including landscaping ideas for the home gardener. Amazing sculptures and use of Australian rocks to showcase the plants. While a young garden it has plenty of interest and playgrounds and water features to keep children happy. The 25min guided tour by bus was worthwhile for the information provided.
Written October 14, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thank you for your review, we are so pleased you had a great experience and appreciated our unique and wonderful Australian Garden. The Explorer tour is a very effective introduction to the Garden. We are happy you enjoyed the tour. We hope to see you again soon. Our Gardens are ever changing and ever growing. Thank you again for the lovely review.
Written October 26, 2022
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

DiggoryP
London, UK118 contributions
Jan 2023 • Couples
About an hour drive from Melbourne the gardens are worth a visit.
The site was used to provide sand for industry until 1970s.
Now it is a garden that showcases Austrian landscape and native plants.
Still a work in progress it nevertheless very well worth seeing. You can walk round yourself or get a guide to help you explore.

The cafe sells excellent food ranging from burgers and chips to various toasties with salad. And an excellent fresh fruit salad.
Written January 27, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thank you for your wonderful feedback. I must agree with the fruit salad in the cafe, it is delicious! The Australian Garden is indeed like any home garden which comes with its challenges and triumphs. We have recently upgraded the Arid Garden and the Dry River Bed is currently undergoing a major overhaul. The Visitor Centre has now also reopened to the public, with a terrific space to sit and take a breath after experiencing the Australian Garden. Thanks again for your kind words and we hope to see you again soon in the not-too-distant future.
Written January 29, 2023
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

An1ta069
Melbourne, Australia161 contributions
Aug 2022
Decided to get out of the house and finally visit the Royal Botanic Gardens in Cranbourne. As we only live a few kilometres away, ashamed to say this was the first time visit for us.
Dedicated to highlighting Australian native flora, there is so much to see. Amazing the incredible range of shrubs, flowers and trees that call Australia home.
You can take your time strolling through each area or there is a bus that takes you right through the gardens, with a very knowledgeable driver who pointed out specific trees and plants with interesting facts.
Gorgeous areas right throughout the gardens to sit and relax, or take a picnic and spend a lazy afternoon enjoying the grassy areas.
If you are in the area, take some time to visit the Royal Botanic Gardens in Cranbourne, entry is free.
Written August 28, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thank you for your lovely review! Cranbourne is known to be a bit of a hidden gem, even to our locals, so the fact that you have discovered us is wonderful news. It is terrific you chose to go on our Explorer around the Australian Garden, it is a great way to introduce you to our site and to highlight the importance of Australian plants and the part they play in our landscape and even our home gardens. Hopefully we have inspired you enough to consider adding some Aussie plants to your garden. If that is the case, we have our Friends of Cranbourne Gardens plant sale on the weekend of October 22 and 23 in the Australian Garden from 10am until 4pm. You can purchase plants propagated on site and chat to our knowledgeable Friends of Cranbourne Gardens. We certainly hope you can make it or simply come visit our beautiful garden again. Thanks again!
Written August 28, 2022
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

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