What’s On

Events on 21 Jun

Jun 21

High Tea at The Terrace

Treat yourself to traditional high tea with views of the stunning gardens, lawns and lake!

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Jun 21

Aboriginal Heritage Walk

Journey into the lands of the Koolin nation with an Indigenous guide. Experience a traditional smoking ceremony and learn about uses of...

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Jun 21

Garden Explorer - Melbourne

A relaxing way to discover this 38-hectare garden, with live commentary and stunning views.

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Jun 21

Garden Explorer - Cranbourne

Purchase a daily pass for the Garden Explorer and hop on and off all day. Passes available from the driver and the Visitor Centre.

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Jun 21

Snapshots of Australia walking tour

This tour provides you with a snapshot of the very best of the Australian Garden.

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Jun 21

Garden Discovery Tours

Explore the changing hues of Melbourne Gardens on a walking tour with a knowledgeable guide.

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Jun 21

New Shoots - A Garden of Poems

Ten Victorian poets invite us to walk, pause, read and reflect. Follow a self-guided tour of the Garden of Poems inspired by plants and...

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Next 6 Days: 22 Jun – 27 Jun

Jun 22

New Shoots - A Garden of Poems

Ten Victorian poets invite us to walk, pause, read and reflect. Follow a self-guided tour of the Garden of Poems inspired by plants and...

View event

Jun 22

Garden Discovery Tours

Explore the changing hues of Melbourne Gardens on a walking tour with a knowledgeable guide.

View event

Science
Horticulture
Support
Learn

Science

Conservation

Victoria's flora and fungi are under increasing threat from climate change, environmental weeds, agriculture and urbanisation. Climate change will especially impact on plants restricted to the coldest environments on mountain summits, which are likely to lose their only suitable habitat. At Royal Botanic Gardens Victoria, studies of taxonomy, distribution, population genetics, propagation, translocation and seed banking all contribute to the conservation of Victoria’s and Australia's plants and fungi.

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Seedbank

We collect millions of high-quality seeds from native plant species within Victoria for long-term storage, research and restoration programs.

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Conservation

Our scientists work to maintain biological diversity, including genetic variation, essential for functional ecosystems and the long-term viability of species.

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Weeds and biosecurity

Our research helps to identify, document and combat environmental weeds that pose a threat native ecosystems and biodiversity.

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Protecting our rare and threatened species

In Victoria, there are nearly 700 native species of plants (of approximately 3,200) that are considered to be threatened and many others are rare. Royal Botanic Gardens Victoria plays a leading role in programs to conserve these endangered species in order to stabilise or increase populations in their natural habitat. Royal Botanic Gardens Victoria is particularly involved in the conservation of native terrestrial orchids. Victoria is a 'hotspot' for orchid diversity, with 23 per cent of Australia's orchid species in just 3 per cent of the land area. Most of the native orchid species found in Victoria are terrestrial, and at least a third occur nowhere else.

Horticulture

Plant Collections

Botanic gardens throughout the world play a significant role in helping scientists and the public understand the evolution and history of plants, their present day uses as well as what the future may hold for plants in natural environments. Across our two locations at Melbourne and Cranbourne, our experienced horticulture teams manage 45 plant collections as well as a significant area of precious bushland at Cranbourne Gardens. All of our collections feature plant labels which show each plant's scientific name comprised of a genus and species.

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Sustainable Management

Our horticultural and environmental research is focused on responding to future challenges such as water availability and changing climatic conditions and looking at how these may impact on plant and landscape conservation within the gardens.

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Environmental Management

At both Cranbourne and Melbourne our land management teams focus on irrigation management, finding alternate water sources, water quality and biodiversity of the lakes system; reducing weeds, protecting plants against pests and diseases and managing soils.

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Water conservation

We are constantly striving to improve irrigation efficiency, stormwater treatment, lake ecosystems and water quality in the lake system. Recently the Working Wetlands project was completed at Melbourne Gardens, reducing reliance on potable water by 40%.

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Home gardening

How we garden in botanic gardens, how you garden at home and how we all garden as a community has big impacts on the biodiversity and sustainability of urban Australia. The Australian Garden at Cranbourne is designed to showcase how native plants can make a spectacular and waterwise home garden. There is an Australian plant suitable for virtually any situation in your garden, from tall trees to ground covers, aquatic plants to those growing in low light or in full sun. Australian plants attract native birds and butterflies, and brighten up your garden with wonderful seasonal colour. Visit the Royal Botanic Gardens Victoria to find inspiration and great tips for using Australian native plants at home.

Visit Cranbourne

Support

Help the Gardens grow

The Royal Botanic Gardens has a special place in the hearts and minds of all Victorians. The Gardens has played an important role in the cultural development of Melbourne and can continue to flourish with the help of passionate individuals. There are many ways to get involved with the Gardens and we value any level of support, whether you are a friend or a donor, a member of our Director’s Circle or one of our volunteers. There are also ways to honour those you love by dedicating a tree or a bench within the Garden of your choice.

Support the gardens

Become a friend

The Friends of the Royal Botanic Gardens at Melbourne and Cranbourne play an active role in raising funds for the gardens through plant sales and programs.

Join the Friends

Donate

It’s easy to help the Gardens. Any donation over $2 is tax deductible and every dollar helps contributes to the work of the Gardens.

Donate now

Shop

Proceeds from every purchase from The Garden Shop goes towards supporting the conservation, education and research work of the Gardens.

Visit the online shop

Honour someone you love

Many people share the Gardens with those they love and some visitors choose to mark a significant occasion by dedicating a tree or a bench to someone special. In the Gardens you’ll notice each bench has a dedication plaque featuring a favourite quote or the recognition of an anniversary, achievement or occasion.

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Learn

Hands-on education

The Royal Botanic Gardens Victoria at Melbourne and Cranbourne offers a rich learning environment for students of all ages and abilities. Our Education Services team develops adaptive, strategic curriculum based programs to assist teachers and provide an enjoyable and valuable learning experience for students from kindergarten to university. Each education program is designed to support teachers in achieving the Victorian Essential Learning Standards and is delivered by a qualified teacher.

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Our programs

We have just released an exciting new range of programs that encourages students from kindergarten to tertiary to explore the wonders of plants in a highly interactive environment.

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Book an excursion

Contact our education office to book an immersive experience for your students that will lead to the development of life-long, life-wide skills.

Book

Professional development

Each year we host an engaging Professional Development program for educators, featuring some of the world’s leading experts in nature-based education.

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What people say…

'It is important that the children become aware of such a beautiful garden that provides a diverse range of opportunities to learn, relax, explore, etc.'

Grade 1

Yes - there was something for everyone ...ponding, feeling/smelling plants, creating pot pourri bags, listening to trees!'

Grade 2

'At the Botanic Gardens the children were able to see/touch and smell on a grand scale - GREAT!!'

Kindergarten

'The program has made a huge shift in the way my students view Indigenous Australians and it has changed some previous incorrect misconceptions'

Grade 5 and 6

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Melbourne Event

Apr 9

Aboriginal Heritage Walk

Womin djeka! Journey into the ancestral lands of the Koolin nation and explore their rich and thriving culture on this walk. Experience a traditional smoking ceremony with an Indigenous guide and discover traditional uses of plants for food, tools and medicine.

Learn more about this Indigenous experience from our video - Aboriginal Heritage Walk highlights (YouTube – 1:11)

Bookings required

When

Daily except Saturdays
11am to 12.30pm

*No tours on
Friday 6 July
Wednesday 11 July
Thursday 12 July

Where

Meet at the Visitor Centre
Melbourne Gardens
Getting Here

Cost

$35 adult
$12 child (5 to 17 years)
$29 concession & Friends' member

Suitable for adults and children aged 8+ years

Bookings / Enquiries

Bookings required, cancellation and refund policy applies.

Group bookings and private tours by arrangement (minimum 15 people).

T 03 9252 2429

Book now

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Events on 21 Jun

Next 6 Days: 22 Jun – 27 Jun

Science

Horticulture

Support

Learn

Science

Conservation

Seedbank

Conservation

Weeds and biosecurity

Protecting our rare and threatened species

Horticulture

Plant Collections

Sustainable Management

Environmental Management

Water conservation

Home gardening

Support

Help the Gardens grow

Become a friend

Donate

Shop

Honour someone you love

Learn

Hands-on education

Our programs

Book an excursion

Professional development

What people say…

Melbourne Event

When

Where

Cost

Bookings / Enquiries