Directions

By car

The best way to travel to Royal Botanic Gardens Cranbourne is by car or private coach.

From Melbourne, drive down the Monash Freeway (M1) and then turn off at the South Gippsland Freeway (M420). Signs will be for Cranbourne and Phillip Island.

The next turn-off with signs to Cranbourne and Phillip Island takes you onto the South Gippsland Highway (still the M420). Take this exit and follow the South Gippsland Highway, through the town of Cranbourne.

On the southern side you will see signs pointing to the turn-off for the Royal Botanic Gardens Cranbourne and the Australian Garden. The turn-off is located approximately 500 m past the Cranbourne Racecourse.

This trip will take approximately 50 minutes from the Melbourne CBD.

Royal Botanic Gardens Cranbourne (JPG - 2.16 mb)

Public Entrance:
Cnr Ballarto Road and Botanic Drive Cranbourne
(off South Gippsland Highway)
Melway Ref: 133 K10

Postal address:1000 Ballarto Road Cranbourne VIC 3977 For further enquirers  phone (03) 5990 2200 or email visitor services.

By bicycle

There are two options for cyclists travelling from Cranbourne Train Station to the Royal Botanic Gardens Cranbourne.

Option 1: South Gippsland Hwy

Turn left out of station car park and then turn right at Sth Gippsland hwy (High street) continue for 1.6 km.

Once you get to the corner of South Gippsland Hwy and Sladen street there is a bicycle track on the right hand side of the  South Gippsland hwy, which takes you to Ballarto Rd along the edge of the Cranbourne Racetrack. Turn right at Ballarto Rd and ride until you reach the Royal Botanic Gardens Cranbourne main entry. The ride is approximately 4.5 km to the front entry.

Option 2:  Route to avoid Shopping District Traffic

• Depart Cranbourne Station
• Head north-west on Station St towards Fairfield St - 160 m
• Turn left at Fairfield St - 210 m
• Continue onto Tucker St - 400 m
• Turn left at Clarendon St - 210 m
• Turn right at McLaren Ave - 400 m
• Turn left at Cranbourne Dr - 75 m
• Turn right at Scott St - 400 m
• Turn left at Cranbourne Frankston Rd - 270 m
• Turn right at South Gippsland Hwy 2.0 km

Once you get to the South Gippsland Hwy there is a bicycle track on the south side of Sladen Street, which takes you to Ballarto Rd along the edge of the Cranbourne Racetrack. Turn right at Ballarto Rd and ride until you reach the Royal Botanic Gardens Cranbourne main entry. The ride is approximately 4.5 km to the front entry.

Once you enter the Royal Botanic Gardens Cranbourne, cycle along the entry road approximately 2 km to the Australian Garden car park. There are bike racks located both in the car park and next to the Visitor Centre. Signs and maps throughout the Garden show the bicycle loop around the bushland. Please be aware that bicycle tracks are shared paths with pedestrians."

Public Transport

The closest train station to the Gardens is Cranbourne, which is the last train station on the Cranbourne line. From Cranbourne train station, either take a taxi to RBG Cranbourne (estimated cost is $12 – 15 one way, call 131 008 to book a taxi) or catch the Route 795 bus* and get off at the South Gippsland Highway/Ballarto Road stop. From there, the Gardens is a 30 – 40 minute walk.

*Note: The 795 bus only runs limited times Monday to Friday. It does not run on weekends. Please view the timetable information for 795 bus route.