Amazing free gardens in the Dandenong Ranges (Australia)
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The Dandenong Ranges are known for their lush green landscape with towering trees and ferny gullies. Small villages are dotted along scenic roads that hug the hillsides and everyone functions at a more relaxed pace.
They are also known for the beautiful picnic areas, walking tracks and gardens. This post explores some of the best free gardens in the Dandenong Ranges to show the variety of gardens available to visit.
Exploring these free gardens in the Dandenong Ranges will leave you feeling refreshed and recharged!
Free gardens to visit in the Dandenong Ranges
William Ricketts Sanctuary
Note: Due to storm damage William Ricketts Sanctuary is currently closed. Updates can be found on the Parks Victoria website.
Whilst not technically a garden, the Williams Ricketts Sanctuary is a must see in the Dandenong Ranges. The sanctuary has 92 clay sculptures lovingly created by William to celebrate and reflect his deep love for nature and Indigenous Australians.
The sculptures are placed around the sanctuary to form flowing pathways that gently guide you through the sanctuary while surrounded by ferns and eucalyptus trees.
Dandenong Ranges Botanic Garden
Another free garden not to miss is the 103 acre Dandenong Ranges Botanic Garden. Formerly called the National Rhododendron Gardens, the gardens boast a huge variety of plants and extensive network of walking trails both sealed (5km of track) and gravel.
Autumn and spring provide the best flowering but the gardens can be enjoyed year-round.
What I found most enjoyable about this garden was the huge native gum trees standing tall and proud, but also blending into the garden as a seamless transition from forest to garden. This gives the garden a casual, nature-based feel rather than a perfectly manicured formal garden (not that there is anything wrong with that, I just like things a little wilder!).
Give your legs a break at Serenity Point and enjoy the beautiful views while soaking up the atmosphere of the peaceful gardens.
Alfred Nicholas Memorial Gardens
Access to the Alfred Nicholas Memorial Gardens is via the beautiful Sherbrooke Road. Follow the steps down the steep hill, or take the gentler management vehicle track to arrive at the ornamental lake and highly photographed boathouse.
The lake makes a great photo location in Autumn with the warm colours reflecting on the lake surface. My photos don’t do it justice so you will need to visit yourself!
R.J. Hamer Arboretum
Come for the view, but then stay for a walk (120 hectares to explore!) and a picnic. The beautiful view across the Yarra Valley at R.J. Hamer Arboretum can be enjoyed from the carpark if you don’t fancy walking around!
George Tindale and Pirianda Gardens
George Tindale and Pirianda Gardens are also free, however I have not visited – which is a perfect reason for a trip back to the Dandenong Ranges!
Oh the hills!
The Dandenong Ranges are known for being steep with deep fern gullies and excellent lookouts which provide views over to Melbourne and surrounding valleys. So, expect to walk up and down some hills when you explore these free gardens!
The Dandenong Ranges Botanic Garden has a Garden Tour bus if you want to give your legs a rest. This quiet little electric cart will zip you around the gardens with excellent commentary by the tour guide.
Accessibility of the free gardens
Of the gardens listed in this post only the Dandenong Ranges Botanic Garden is considered wheelchair accessible by the tourism website.
Additional gardens in the area that are accessible are Sky High at Mt Dandenong (costs to visit) and Mt Dandenong Arboretum (free to visit).
Are the gardens dog friendly?
Wondering whether you can take a dog into these awesome free Dandenong Ranges gardens? Mostly the answer is yes…
- William Ricketts Sanctuary – No
- Dandenong Ranges Botanic Garden – No
- Alfred Nicholas Memorial Gardens – Yes, on a leash
- R.J. Hamer Arboretum – Yes, on a leash
- George Tindale – Yes, on a leash
- Pirianda Gardens – Yes, on a leash
There is excellent information on the regions tourism website about places you can take a dog.
Cost
Visiting the Dandenong Ranges is free apart from specific attractions such as Sky High Mt Dandenong.
All the gardens listed above are free entry and free car-parking.
Getting there
Self drive
The Dandenong Ranges are only 50 minutes from Melbourne and make a fantastic day trip or weekend away.
The free gardens in the Dandenong Ranges are all easy to find. Self-drive is the best way to explore the area as public transport is limited.
PLAN | Need car hire? Check out the deals at rentalcars.com.
Tours
There are tours available from Melbourne that visit some of the gardens. These include private tours with garden visits and lunch or small group hiking tours.
Looking for something more unique? Why not take a tour from Melbourne to the Dandenong’s in a classic ’56 Chevrolet . Now that is cruising in style!
How long is needed
Allow 1 full day to explore these free gardens in the Dandenong Ranges. But an entire weekend is even better!
There is so much to do in this area you will easily fill a weekend, or a week.
Suggested day trip
Morning
- William Ricketts Sanctuary
- Dandenong Ranges Botanic Garden
- RJ Hamer Arboretum for a look at the view
Lunch stop
- Lunch in Olinda
- Walk around the village
Afternoon
- Alfred Nicholas Memorial Gardens
- Afternoon tea in Sassafras
- If you still have energy visit the George Tindale or Pirianda Gardens which are close to Sassafras
Tips for visiting
A few tips for visiting the Dandenong Ranges:
Drive safely – the roads are windy with many blind corners
Know where you are going – map programs may take you down some very rough roads! This could be adventurous, or might not be suited for your car. Opportunities to turn around are also limited due to the narrow roads so you might need to wait until the next village. But this could all be part of the fun!
Dress appropriately – wear comfortable shoes and dress appropriately. The Dandenong Ranges are generally wet and damp which makes the walking tracks soggy.
Smell the air – strange tip, but honestly, smell the air. I love the damp smell of the Dandenong Ranges especially on a cooler day when the air is still crisp. This smell and freshness reminds me of Tarra Bulga National Park which is definitely worth a visit.
Slow down – don’t rush to see everything in the Dandenong Ranges. Take your time, enjoy the drive, eat the cake, drink the wine, peruse a book shop, stare at a tree. Slow down and let the spirit of the Dandenong Ranges soak into your being.
When to visit
The Dandenong Ranges can be visited at any time of the year. If possible, visit on a weekday when the villages are quieter.
Just writing this now is putting a smile on face thinking of the time that a friend and I walked around the Dandenong Ranges Botanic Gardens in the rain. Chatting, walking, and smelling that beautiful wet clean air. Water dripping off tree branches. Followed by a lunch in Olinda to warm up. Bliss!
I am someone that gets out in most weather conditions and dresses for the climate. However, I do suggest avoiding the Dandenong Ranges on really hot days when the fire risk is elevated, or if there are active fires in the area. The area has experienced bushfires which take hold quickly in the steep vegetated terrain.
PLAN | The Dandenong Ranges are in the state of Victoria which has a varied climate. Read this post to see which time of year would suit you best.
What to bring
Comfortable clothes, water bottle, sturdy shoes.
If you plan on taking a picnic then bring all your supplies as there are limited supermarkets in the area. Tables at picnic grounds can be snapped up pretty quickly so bring a picnic blanket too!
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Where to stay
The Dandenong Ranges are known for cosy Bed and Breakfast (BnB) style accommodation which makes you relax instantly. Somewhere I have always wanted to stay is the popular A Loft in the Mill Olinda which is a replica 19th Century English Flour Mill in the heart of Olinda. But they book out fast!
Hotel style accommodation can be found in surrounding towns such as Ferntree Gully and Lilydale. Whilst you might not get the Dandenong Ranges vibes staying in a hotel, they are cheaper and only a short drive to the gardens. The Nightcap at York on Lilydale is excellent.
Accommodation options are also detailed on the main tourism website.
Further information
Parks Victoria manage these free gardens. Their website is informative and can help plan your visit. However, for information on the history and details of the gardens the main tourism website is more detailed.
Things to do nearby
There is so much to do in the Dandenong Ranges! Visit playgrounds, flower festivals, visit plant nurseries, admire art galleries, catch the Puffing Billy scenic train, explore every village, eat, drink and eat some more…the list goes on!
Final thoughts
Honestly, the Dandenong Ranges are stunning and these free gardens are all worth visiting. I have been to some of these gardens a dozen times and I still love them and will return again and again.
My visits to the Dandenong Ranges usually end with me searching online for a property to buy! One day…
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