Visitor Information
Visitor InformationOpening Hours
Royal Botanic Gardens MelbourneOpen: Entry to the Gardens is free of charge.
Open 7.30am to sunset every day of the year Please Note: The Visitor CentreThe Visitor Centre is located at the Observatory Precinct at the Royal Botanic Gardens Melbourne and is open seven days a week. OPEN: Weekdays 9am - 5pm, Weekends 9.30am - 5.00pm Guided Tours, Events and ActivitiesCheck out our What's On ! section to find a full listing of all the events and activities you can experience at the Gardens. If you are interested in holding a private function at the Gardens go to the Booking a Venue section of our website. Planning your visitPlease be aware of the following risks.
Mobility Aids at the Royal Botanic Gardens MelbourneThe Royal Botanic Gardens Melbourne provides wheelchairs in two locations: the Visitor Centre (located at Observatory Gate) and the Terrace Tearooms (located near Gate A, on the corner of Anderson Street and Alexandra Avenue). Wheelchairs are available 9am - 5pm seven days a week. Bookings can be made on 9252 2429. A deposit of $50 is required and will be refunded upon return of the wheelchair. Wheelchair friendly toursThe Royal Botanic Gardens Melbourne offers a number of tours suitable for wheelchairs. Examples include:
Tours conducted in the Old Melbourne Observatory are not suitable for wheelchairs due to the small size of the rooms and narrow stairs which must be climbed to gain access to telescope viewing. In addition to guided tours, visitors can enjoy a self-guided exploration of the Royal Botanic Gardens Melbourne using Garden Guides available at each entrance; these guides also indicate steep areas within the Gardens. All toilets in the Royal Botanic Gardens are wheelchair accessible and disabled parking is available on Birdwood Avenue and Anderson Street. Disabled parking is marked on Gardens Guide maps. Melbourne Mobility Centre at Federation SquareMobility aids (including motorised wheelchairs) are available for hire at the Melbourne Mobility Centre, located on the first floor of the Federation Square Car Park (ground level adjacent to the ArtPlay playground). The Mobility Centre also provides other aids including crutches, walking frames, manual wheelchairs and canes for the vision impaired. Mobility Centre opening hours are as follows: Monday to Saturday: 9am to 6pm If you require further information, please call 9650 6499 or freecall 1800 735 266. To book equipment on-line visit: www.melbournemobilitycentre.com.au Hire Costs
A delivery service is also available from the Mobility Centre to the Gardens with 24 hours notice. Fees are $5.00 (each way) or $2.50 concession. Travel from the Mobility Centre to the Gardens is approximately 15 - 20 minutes each way. The motorised wheelchairs have 3 wheels and are easy to use, but do have the capacity to tip or roll particularly on curbs and gutters. The motorised wheelchairs are suitable for guided walks (with the exception of the Old Melbourne Observatory tours), as well as lawn areas, The Ian Potter Foundation Children's Garden, access through all gates, cafes and glasshouses. Fern Gully is not recommend due to uneven path structure and very narrow pathways. If you have any questions, please ask one of the friendly Customer Service staff at The Royal Botanic Gardens Visitor Centre on (03) 9252 2429 Do we allow dogs in our Gardens?
Royal Botanic Gardens Melbourne
Can we bring our dog to the Royal Botanic Gardens Melbourne? Dogs kept on short leads are permitted in the Royal Botanic Gardens Melbourne. Dogs must be kept on short leads and supervised at all times to ensure the safety of delicate plants, other dogs and visitors.
Where dogs can’t go Dogs are not permitted in the Ian Potter Foundation Children’s Garden, Cafe, Visitor Centre or Gardens shop or any other building.
Please clean up after your dog and ensure that dogs are not left unattended at any time.
No other pets are allowed in the gardens.
Can we bring our dog to the Royal Botanic Gardens Cranbourne?
PicnicsYou may picnic anywhere within the Gardens with the exception of areas marked private, garden beds and areas that have been reserved for private functions. Please note: that barbeques are NOT permitted within the Gardens. Care for the GardensThe Gardens are here for everyone to enjoy.
All visitors and activities within the Gardens are subject to and must comply with the Royal Botanic Gardens Regulations 2004. Breaches of the Regulations may incur a fine. For further details and a full list of the Regulations please click here. The Gardens ShopThe Gardens Shop is located in the heart of the Royal Botanic Gardens Melbourne and is the place to shop for botanically-inspired homewares and gifts. For the second year in a row, The Gardens Shop at the Royal Botanic Gardens Melbourne has been named the best tourism operator in its field, winning the Tourism Retailing category at the Melbourne Airport 2005 Victorian Tourism Awards. OPEN: daily, 9.30am - 5.00pm The Observatory CafeThe Observatory Café is open daily for breakfast, morning and afternoon teas and lunches. The Café is located in the Observatory precinct at the Royal Botanic Gardens Melbourne. OPEN: daily, 7:00am - 5.00pm The TerraceThe Terrace is located by the Ornamental Lake at the Royal Botanic Gardens Melbourne and is open daily for lunch, devonshire tea, coffee and cake. OPEN: daily, 9.00am - 5.00pm (October to May) 9:45am - 4:00pm (April to September) | ||||||
