Getting to Lightscape

Lightscape is located in the Royal Botanic Gardens Melbourne, Birdwood Avenue, Melbourne, 3004.

The entrance to Lightscape is via Observatory Gate near the Visitor Centre, Birdwood Avenue, opposite the Shrine of Remembrance.

This is the only entrance.

A box office will be available inside the Visitor Centre near the entrance from 4.45pm on Lightscape event days ONLY. You can purchase tickets or seek further information.

The trail finishes at Oak Lawn Gate, on Birdwood Avenue, just 200m from the entrance.

If you have booked an Observatory Café dining package, the restaurant is located near the entrance, next to the Visitor Centre and Shop.

CAR

Limited street parking is available on Birdwood Avenue. We recommend you take public transport or ride-share, as parking will be at a premium on event nights, please allow plenty of time to find a park and walk to the event entrance.

Street parking is only permitted in marked parking bays. Please ensure you adhere to parking restrictions. No parking is permitted in parklands or on grassed areas (including in Kings Domain South Parklands). Council officers are actively patrolling the area and will issue penalties for vehicles that are parked incorrectly.

Paid off-street parking is available in the area, including at:

• Ace Parking – 2 Bowen Cresent, Melbourne (15 min walk) [Open 5:00 AM – 10:00 PM]
• Arts Centre Melbourne – 4 Sturt Street, Southbank (15-20 min walk) [Open 24 hours]
• Wilson Parking – 436 St Kilda Road, Melbourne (20 min walk) [Open 24 hours]

PUBLIC TRANSPORT

Train: The closest train station is Anzac Station. Trains run frequently via this station on the Cranbourne, Pakenham and Sunbury lines.

Be sure to plan your journey with Public Transport Victoria as road works may affect your journey.

Tram: The closest stops to Royal Botanic Gardens Melbourne are:

• The Shrine of Remembrance stop on St Kilda Road, and
• Anzac Station on St Kilda Road

Be sure to plan your journey with Public Transport Victoria as road works may affect your journey.

BIKE OR SCOOTER

There will be bike parking on site, however, we expect it to be at a premium.

Lightscape is a walking trail, vehicles (whether foot propelled or motorised) are not permitted on trail. This includes but is not limited to bikes, scooters, skateboards, hoverboards, balance bikes and roller skates.

Wheelchairs and recognised mobility aids are allowed.

Key Event Information

• Dress for winter weather and wear suitable footwear, Lightscape will go ahead in the event of rain. You will not be able to refund or exchange your tickets if you choose not to attend due to inclement weather.
• Food and drink will be available at the Welcome Hub and throughout the trail, catering for various dietary requirements. Please refrain from bringing any picnics or alcoholic beverages.
• Toilet facilities are located throughout the trail.
• Be sure to look out for the artist installation signage and scan the QR code to learn more about the artwork.
• There are no cloak room facilities available.
• No pets except for service animals.
• Lightscape is a walking trail, vehicles (whether foot propelled or motorised) are not permitted on trail. This includes but is not limited to bikes, scooters, skateboards, hoverboards, balance bikes and roller skates. Wheelchairs and recognised mobility aids are allowed.
• The entire Lightscape trail remains on the path. Most of the trail is fully wheelchair accessible, except for some sections of the paths that are on a steep gradient where audience members may require assistance. To discuss access options please contact (03) 9252 2300.
• The trail is 2.1km long and is designed to be travelled in one direction. For your safety and the protection of the Gardens, please stay on the paths at all times.
• Please note that Lightscape is a licensed event – under 18’s must be accompanied by an adult.

To avoid unnecessary queuing at the entrance please remember to:

• Have your tickets downloaded or printed before you arrive.
• Arrive at the start of the trail 5 minutes before your ticketed start time.
• Please ensure all members of your party have their own ticket ready to be scanned.
• Ensure the brightness on your mobile phone is turned up to aid the speed of scanning.
• If you have purchased a concession ticket, please have your concession card ready to present at the entrance.

If you are a Flexi ticket holder, you may enter the trail at any time during the opening hours on the day of your visit. Opening hours vary slightly so please check the timings on the calendar HERE. Please note that re-entry will not be permitted.

You should allow about 90 minutes to 2 hours to ensure you have enough time to enjoy the full experience. Last entry onto trail will be 10 minutes after the final advertised timeslot. For example, if the last advertised timeslot is 8.00pm then last entry onto the trail will be at 8.10pm, no further entry will be allowed after this time.

The event will close 90 minutes after the final advertised timeslot.

The trail is 2.1km long and is designed to be travelled in one direction. For your safety and the protection of the Gardens, please stay on the paths at all times.

For any further queries, please see Lightscape FAQs here.

Remember to share your Lightscape photos and videos on social media. Tag us on Instagram @Lightscape and @Royalbotanicgardensvic or Facebook LightscapeTrails and RoyalBotanicGardensVictoria using #LightscapeMelbourne, #LightscapeAU, #Lightscape2026 and #Lightscape.

In the unlikely event that Lightscape is cancelled unexpectedly, you will be informed of the cancellation via email and SMS on the day / evening of the trail. Please ensure your email and mobile phone number are up to date in your Ticketek account. Please check our website and social media pages for updates.