15°C

Royal Botanic Gardens Cranbourne

Attractions Cranbourne

Description


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

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

Motorised water activities

Motorised water activities

Frankston Beach is a great place to experience the excitement of powered water activities including jet-skiing and powered boating. The use of motorised watercraft in Port Phillip Bay is governed by ...
Schnitz

Schnitz

IT TAKES ONE FAMILY TO CREATE THE PERFECT SCHNITZEL Schnitz's founder Roman, aka “Papa Schnitz”, has spent decades honing the art of the perfect schnitzel; the freshest local ingredients, hand c...
Saroma Aromatics

Saroma Aromatics

Saroma has been creating pure & natural skin care since 1997. Saroma care about the ingredients that go into your skin and therefore they do not use any synthetic fragrances or petrochemical ingre...
Stephen Glassborow - Johnny Famechon Statue

Stephen Glassborow - Johnny Famechon Statue

Artist:  Stephen Glassborow Sculpture: Johnny Famechon Artist Description: A larger than life bronze sculpture of boxing champion Johnny (John) Famechon stands tall at Ballam Park to immortali...
White Street Mall

White Street Mall

This project is in the centre of Frankston’s shopping district and it was developed for the Frankston City Council. Stone Culture installed twelve permeable tree surrounds with porphyry cobblestones i...
Bruce Armstrong - Sentinel

Bruce Armstrong - Sentinel

Artist: Bruce Armstrong Sculpture: Sentinel Location: Oliver's Hill Materials: Wood  Sentinel is a five metre tall abstract wooden sculpture of a native sea eagle. The Sentinel sculptur...
Joanna Rhodes - Dog Collar

Joanna Rhodes - Dog Collar

The lemon yellow dog collar by sculptor, Joanna Rhodes has been arching over the pathway of our largest off-leash dog park, Ballam Park.
Smug - Mythical Faun

Smug - Mythical Faun

Mural Name: Mythical Faun Artist: Sam Bates (Smug) Artist Bio: Originally from the South Coast of NSW, Smug has called Scotland home for 20 years. An internationally renowned artist known for...
Phin Murphy, Sinatra Murphy & Andrew Hogg - Scale

Phin Murphy, Sinatra Murphy & Andrew Hogg - Scale

Artists: Phin Murphy, Sinatra Murphy & Andrew Hogg Design © 2022 Sculpture: Scale Location: Fletcher Road Underpass, Dandenong Road West, Frankston About the Sculpture: The artwork Scale...
Melbourne's Murals - Flower Girl

Melbourne's Murals - Flower Girl

Mural: Flower Girl Artist Bio: Melbourne's Murals Brigitte and Melissa are visual storytellers with 40 years’ experience and a keen eye for detail. They teamed up ten years ago to beautify walls in...

More Like This

walking trails gardens
Frankston Pier

Frankston Pier

Originally built closer to the base of Oliver's Hill in 1857, the pier was constructed at its current site and extended into deeper waters in 1863, after a public petition.  The Frankston Pier h...
Peninsula Link Trail

Peninsula Link Trail

The Peninsula Link shared use path is a significant addition to the Frankston and Mornington Peninsula walking and cycling networks. It is also the single biggest addition to Melbourne's shared use pa...
Frankston Waterfront

Frankston Waterfront

Frankston beach is perfect for non-powered water activities including swimming, stand up paddle boarding or even a walk. Celebrate with family and friends with open space, a playground, BBQ facilities...
Kananook Creek Reserve

Kananook Creek Reserve

Kananook Creek runs for 7.5 km parallel to the coastline linking Seaford Wetlands to Frankston Foreshore. The creek reserve is home to many indigenous plants and animals and is one of Frankston's most...
Kananook Creek Walking Trail

Kananook Creek Walking Trail

Discover the Kananook Creek Walking Trail The Kananook Creek Walking Trail is a hidden gem weaving through one of Frankston’s most picturesque natural environments. Stretching 7.5 kilometres from Fra...
Cruden Farm

Cruden Farm

More than eighty years in the making and the heart of a working farm, the garden at Cruden Farm is a small piece of country set amid dense suburbia. It feels as if it will endure forever. Strong, heal...
Frankston to Baxter Trail

Frankston to Baxter Trail

This off-road ‘shared path’ provides a pleasant recreation experience through a bike ride or walk. It follows the north and eastern side of the Stony Point Railway Line for most of its 7.5 kilometre ...
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...
Seaford Pier

Seaford Pier

Get your camera ready for the picturesque Seaford Pier, built in the late 1920’s. The pier makes the perfect photo around dusk or dawn and is surrounded by crystal blue waters and white sand, perfect ...
Point Leo Estate

Point Leo Estate

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