Dandenong Ranges Botanic Garden

This was a very pleasant place to go for a walk after our lunch. The rhododendrons, azaleas, and waratahs were the main features because they were stunningly in flower. The paths were easy to navigate with help from the signs.
Could have easily stayed longer as it was relaxing and tranquil. Many people there the day we were there.

Great bus tour with 2 rangers. Thank you. Not many flowers out at the moment but a fascinating garden to visit at all times of the year. We will be back.

But, poor accessibility - it appears Parks Victoria has failed in 2 main areas.
1. No disabled parking at all (at least not that I could find). None close to the main gate
2. We went especially to see the Chelsea Gardens but if you need to use a walker it is out of reach for some.

With all the effort put into creating this amazing garden I think disability access could have been given some priority. A regular bus eg 12-2pm or a hop on, hop off bus with a charged day pass are possible solutions.

I notice Parks Victoria has a disability access plan

Parks Victoria’s updated Disability Action Plan 2022-2026 outlines our ongoing commitment to actively reduce barriers, promote inclusion, change attitudes and practices, and improve outcomes for our employees, volunteers and visitors with a disability.

Every bad coffee i have ever had as suddenly gotten slightly better after having a coffee from the cafe here. Slight hints of burnt coffee or off milk or something i have no idea what it was, really Didn’t add to the walk. They also gave us a Sunday surcharge.please Don’t drive past all the other amazing cafes on the way. (This cafe was so bad this prompted me to leave my first ever review)

A lovely place and perhaps the best destination in the Dandenongs for young kids. It's big but my favourite spots are in the top (entrance) half anyway. It hasn't changed much since it's days as the Rhododendron Gardens, which is a good thing. There are some nice views across to the Victorian Alps. I've seen a few native animals here too, such as lyrebirds and wallabies. There's plenty of parking - you don't need to turn right into the first car park you see.

One of the best place to be especially in summer, good for a day trip and nice picnic in the lawn or good walk. The pictures I've posted are taken in Spring early November 2021, Some of the walks are off gravel roads and tracks so good shoes will help.

Great place to go for a walk with the kids. Loads of nooks and crannies to get lost in and such a wide range of different flowers, as well as the rhodedendrons it's famous for.

Beautiful place to spend an afternoon, plenty of space for picnics, beautiful bird song, even a lovely little duck family. Fu of different colour rhododendrons, just absolutely brimming with colour. Well worth a visit.

During this summer season there are still a few rhodadendrums in blossom. The change of name to Botanical Gardens is reflective of the range of trees and plants. It is a fairly steep walk down to the pond then the lake, but a guided tour in a mini bus is available.it would be especially beautiful in autumn and spring. We enjoyed our picnic by the lake in the rotunda the an ice cream from the cafe back up the top level.

Don't know why we haven't been here before, not sure if we thought it would be too crowded, too expensive or a bit small, but it's none of the above, we'll be back for sure, but so will the crowds after lockdown

There is plenty of car parking available, toilets, a small coffee take away truck and nature. There are also plenty of spots for a picnic with and without shading from trees.

Beautiful place for a picnic
Parking is free, pet free, with access to bathrooms and a Cafe

What a great asset in the hills! Free entry and acres of beautiful gardens. Plenty of places to stop and picnic. We went in spring and started at opening 10am. Crowds increased after that but it's massive so there's plenty of room. So many flowering plants there's probably always something happening

Beautiful gardens set in the hills. Well worth the visit if you're after a serene and colourful stroll.

Paved walkways in the garden. Very beautiful for a walk or picnic, with epic views. Inside park seems accessible, but getting from carpark into the park doesn't look obviously accessible. Car park gets busy and people don't always follow the "one way" sign, so parking can be stressful to navigate with cars constantly driving in the wrong direction around a tight/narrow carpark. Car park can be really muddy so prepare yourself if it rains (inside the park is fine though).

Wonderful place. One of my grandfather's last decent holidays before he passed away.still, the flowers were absolutely gorgeous and everyone I saw loved it.

The garden is well set out with different species of plants set out the garden.
We went especially for Rhododendron and Azealia species, and we weren't disappointed.
The main flowering was past but there was. Still plenty of colour.
The entry was free, plus parking was easily found.

Beautiful Botanical Gardens at Olinda in the Dandenong Ranges near Melbourne, also known as The Rhododendron Gardens, was a perfect sunny spring day, sandwiched between 2 weeks of wet weather and we took advantage, spectacular all the flowers in full bloom and the lake was lovely, a cheeky Kookaburra joined us for our picnic lunch, highly recommended a must visit when you are in this part of the Dandenongs.

Beautiful all year round, but if you can, visit during the spring when the rhododendrons are flowering. Absolutely stunning.)

Visited in the last week of October and the view was phenomenal. The were countless buds left to bloom, I believe the best of view is yet to come in November!
Plenty of picnic areas available with great panoramic views. Or just grab a coffee at the park entrance and enjoy a nice stroll.

Gorgeous rhododendrons of all colors in the Spring. Spectacular views and wonderful gardens. Great place for a walk amongst God’s beauty.