The Royal Botanical Gardens is one of Nature's Beautiful Experiences

The Royal Botanical Gardens in the heart of the City of Melbourne were established in 1846 on the southern banks of the Yarra River.

Since then the Melbourne Botanical Gardens have been landscaped with magnificent manicured lawns, picturesque lakes and paths that wander throughout all.

Native birds use the Gardens as a sanctuary. You can always hear their melodious and distinctive songs as you amble along.

The Gardens are divided into various different areas

Here plants that are displayed can come from Tasmania through to Queensland. The air is filled with moist and refreshing scents, distinctive throughout all Australian Rainforests.

The climate and landscape of California and Victoria are very similar. Many plants from California can be grown successfully here in Victoria. The best time to view this Garden is during spring and summer to see the amazing and glorious colours.

An amazing arid landscape has been created with the plantings of Cacti, Aloes,Agaves and Bromeliads.

The best time to view the colours and the varieties is in the Winter. There are over 300 varieties...I first fell in love with these beautiful wonders of nature when I was a little girl. My dear Papa used to grow and show his beauties at the Springvale Flower show. I remember him winning many a prize for his green thumb and his "Little Darlings" as he would call them.

These plants are actually Living Fossils and are on the endangered species listing. They have existed since the time of the Dinosaurs, 140-200 million years ago.

This area in the Royal Botanical Gardens shows the natural beauty and diversity of the Australian Eucalyptus Tree. The area is perfect for a family picnic or to just lie on the soft lawns and watch the clouds roll by.

Such aromatic fragrant delights and it is so interesting to to see the actual herb in it's natural growing state and not dried up and sealed in a packet.

The plants that now grow in this area are the Botanicals that grew on the land that Melbourne City now sits on. Some of these plants are very hard to find and the natural areas that they grow in are becoming more scarce as the city multiplies.

This unique section of the world shares some of our unique Australian plant life eg, Grevilleas and Meleleucas.

The oldest collection of New Zealand plants in Australia are housed here for all to admire.

This area can really be appreciated in autumn for the colour of the leaves. The children love to run through the piles of autumn leaves that cover the lawns.

This is a fascinating range of both common and rare plants from China

80% of the World's diet originated in the tropical rain forest. For example, Avocados, bananas and coconuts, also spices such as pepper, chocolate, cinnamon, coffee and vanilla

Here you will find some rare and historically significant species of plants. These are a 4 season plant with beautiful shows of flowers in the spring, berries in summer,a favourite with the birds and autumn is a great time to view the colours of their leaves.

This teaches us how we can conserve this precious resource and what plants can be grown to enhance the conservation.

This is a unique area set aside specifically for the delight and education of our young ones.The garden takes a much needed rest for a couple of months in winter and re-opens in September each year.

How to get there

There is meter parking available for 2,3 or 4 hours available in the streets around the Gardens.

You can access public transport to Flinders Street Station by train and then take the tram (no's 3,5,8,16,64 or 67) to the Domain Road interchange.

Then there is a short walk towards the Shrine of Remembrance, heading towards the Observatory Buildings. Just follow the path and you will reach the Observatory Gate Entrance. There are other entrance gates surrounding the Gardens, so if you do get lost just follow the fenceline.

For more information regarding public transport, timetables etc just click onto the link below

Metlink for Public Transport Information

The gardens are Open from 7:30 am onwards. Closing times are....

The Gardens also accommodate guided tours, walks and there are various educational programs. Just drop into the Visitor Center in the Observatory Building or visit The Royal Botanical Gardens website.

The Royal Melbourne Botanical Gardens

There are Cafes and Garden Shops throughout the Botanical Gardens, a Plant Craft Cottage with craft displays and during the week you can try your hand at learning "How to" with some of the clever Artists themselves.

At certain times of the year theatrical performances are staged in the Gardens and there are also films that are shown outdoors. For more on these details go to the Garden's website, these events are usually staged in the warmer months.

The Royal Botanical Gardens is a beautiful place to take the whole family on a unique getaway into a "Wonderland of Natural Beauty". Enjoy a delicious picnic, maybe educate yourself and your children and stimulate the body and soul.

When you have finished exploring the Royal Botanical Gardens in Melbourne, you may like to continue your experience with a visit to the Royal Botanical Gardens in Cranbourne, a pleasant drive down the south eastern region of Victoria.

Perhaps a visit to The Royal Botanic Gardens Cranbourne

Return from The Royal Botanical Gardens to Family Getaways Melbourne