Royal Botanic Gardens Melbourne has been a treasured part of Melbourne’s cultural life for more than 170 years – much loved by generations of Victorians, as well as by many visitors from interstate and overseas. It is a picturesque haven for recreation and an important resource for education, conservation, science and horticulture.
Melbourne Gardens extends over 38 hectares and houses a collection of more than 8,500 species of plants from around the world, including amazing and diverse plant collections such as camellias, rainforest flora, cacti and succulents, roses, Californian species, herbs, perennials, cycads, plants from Southern China and, in the Rare and Threatened Species Collection, plants from south-eastern Australia.
Throughout the year, Melbourne Gardens provides cultural experiences in its beautiful surrounds, including the live music concert series ‘Live at the Gardens’, the award-winning ‘Lightscape’, Moonlight Cinema, performances by The Australian Shakespeare Company and the Aboriginal Heritage Walk.
Its National Herbarium of Victoria houses 1.562 million dried plant, algae and fungi specimens in its State Botanical Collection, and Victorian Conservation Seedbank, which is Victoria’s primary facility for the conservation of the state’s most threatened plants. Scientists and Horticulturists at the Gardens rely on this resource to lead bushfire recovery, plant conservation, and climate change response efforts.
The Gardens also run a range of programs to encourage learning in nature and inspire the next generation, hosting thousands of students on excursions each year, and the Ian Potter Foundation Children’s Garden encourages children to fall in love with nature from an early age.
Visitors can enjoy a coffee or meal at two cafés/restaurants run by the popular Darling Group, free guided walking tours, The Explorer open-air bus guided tour, Punting on the Lake, a gift shop and wellbeing programs such as Forest Therapy. Visitors can also purchase plants on site at weekly plant sales run by the Friends of Royal Botanic Gardens Melbourne.
In late 2024, the Gardens introduced a new Australian Drylands precinct, which leads landscape managers around the world with landscape transition in preparation for a future warmer climate.
Visit https://www.rbg.vic.gov.au/melbourne-gardens/ for details.
