The Dandenongs are a popular tourist destination in Melbourne, and are home to many of the city’s best gardens. These include the Alfred Nicholas Gardens, Karwarra, Sherbrooke Forest, National Rhododendron Gardens and Cloudehill Gardens.

Cloudehill Gardens

Cloudehill Gardens is one of the most popular gardens in the Dandenong Ranges. It is located near Olinda and is accessible by public transport. You can visit it on your own or take a tour with a guide.

The gardens are a unique example of how to combine old and modern plants. Their design is inspired by the Arts and Crafts movement of the late nineteenth century. They are also home to passionate plantsman Jeremy Francis. Besides being internationally renowned for its garden rooms full of flowers, Cloudehill is a source of inspiration for cool climate gardeners.

Cloudehill has a nursery that sells rare and beautiful plants. It also has a rustic restaurant that offers a dining experience unlike any other. Located on the top of the hills, visitors are rewarded with magnificent views of the city skyline and the Dandenong Ranges National Park.

Visitors can explore 20 different garden compartments. These are divided by hedges and stone walls. During the summer months, the garden is filled with colourful perennial borders. There are also bulb meadows. In autumn, the foliage of Japanese maple trees is stunning.

Cloudehill also has a garden shop that sells a wide range of flowering shrubs and trees. It specialises in heirloom seeds, cool climate plants, and the Diggers signature cottage flowers.

Cloudehill also features workshops that cover essential gardening techniques. Its famous ‘SkyHigh Maze’ is perfect for children. Using the help of a drone, photographer Claire Takacs captured amazing aerial images of the gardens.

Another interesting feature is the 100-metre wisteria-covered archway that runs through the garden. A sunken garden also features. This area is a great place to set a picnic hamper.

Alfred Nicholas Gardens

The Alfred Nicholas Gardens are the perfect place to take a family outing, especially for nature lovers. This 13-hectare garden includes a variety of exotic and native trees and shrubs. There are also a number of pathways and a small pond with sculptures. These gardens are open all year round, so you can enjoy a day out in the great outdoors without having to rush.

The gardens feature a number of different kinds of flowers, including rhododendrons, maples, and azaleas. In addition to this, there are a number of different picnic spots. You can also view the autumn colours of the trees.

The Alfred Nicholas Gardens are a popular destination for weddings. They are ideal for anyone looking to get away from the hustle and bustle of the city and take in some of Victoria’s natural beauty.

The main manmade structures at the Alfred Nicholas Garden include a waterfall and an ornamental lake. A few smaller ponds are also located on the approach to the main house.

This garden is a must-see for anyone visiting the Dandenong Ranges. It is a picturesque destination that offers beautiful views of the Yarra Valley. With an iconic boathouse and lake, it is a fantastic spot to spend a couple of hours.

When visiting the Alfred Nicholas Memorial Garden, keep in mind that the garden may close during rainy or snowy weather. Also, major works may be taking place. So, it is best to check with the garden on the day of your visit.

This is a great place for families to take a relaxing walk or a picnic. Children can even play in the large tree at the centre of the garden.

National Rhododendron Gardens

The National Rhododendron Gardens is located in the Dandenong Ranges in Victoria. It is a 42 hectare (104 acres) garden. This garden is a major attraction in the Dandenongs and has a wide variety of plants.

The garden is free to visit. Visitors can bring picnics. There is a cafe on site that is open during spring. However, it is closed on days of severe weather.

The main focus of the gardens is rhododendrons. They flower from June to early December. These plants come in a wide range of colours. Some of the most spectacular displays are in the autumn. A visit to the National Rhododendron Gardens will be a unique experience.

During the spring season, the gardens are in full bloom. This is when visitors can expect to find thousands of blooms. At other times, the garden is tranquil and peaceful.

Visitors can also take in the view from the Serenity viewpoint. Located on the north-eastern side of the garden, this viewpoint is a great way to relax and enjoy the surroundings. Another popular location is the Cherry Law.

The garden has an extensive network of walking trails. If you’re looking for a relaxing walk, the Serenity and Cherry Law pathways are the best options. For a more active experience, there are many other paths. You can also try out the Garden Explorer people-mover.

The Dandenong Ranges are a wonderful place to visit. You can get around by car or by public transport. Alternatively, you can stay in one of the many luxurious B&Bs in the area.

Whether you’re a plant lover, an adventurous hiker, or just a nature enthusiast, the National Rhododendron Gardens are an ideal destination.

Karwarra Gardens

The Karwarra Australian Plant Garden is a two-hectare site in the Dandenong Ranges, and it’s worth a visit for its many offerings. Not only is it a fascinating look at Australian native plants, but it also offers an on-site plant nursery for those interested in their own landscaping efforts.

As you might expect from the name, the Karwarra is a cool temperate garden. Designed by Simon Gaythorpe, who cites his grandparents’ backyard as a harbinger of the future, the gardens are impressive. They are laid out in a series of tiers that evoke a sense of symmetry.

There is a lot to see and do at the garden, including a well-stocked plant nursery and the largest octagonal tree house in Victoria. This makes it a great family outing or lunchtime activity. Located just a short drive from Melbourne, it’s a worthwhile trip for any garden lover.

Luckily, it’s free to enter. While you’re there, you can also check out the local wildlife and learn more about Karwarra’s history from the knowledgeable staff members. In addition to the usual suspects, the park is also home to some unusual creatures such as the Koala and kangaroo. So, when you’re visiting the Karwarra Australian Plant Garden, keep your eyes open for more koalas and kangaroos.

The garden also has the distinction of being one of the best places to visit in the Dandenongs. The vistas are unparalleled, and the cooler weather allows for some enjoyable strolls. To top it all off, the area is surrounded by the traditional country of Wurundjeri people.

Although the Karwarra Australian Plant Garden is a worthy tourist destination, its proximity to Melbourne’s CBD means that it’s not always possible to make the trip.

Sherbrooke Forest

Sherbrooke Forest is one of the largest areas of national park in the Dandenongs. Its forest provides a sanctuary for wildlife, especially lyrebirds. This elusive bird mimics dozens of other species, and its presence can be heard throughout the park.

The forest is home to many native plants and flowers. Visitors may also spot cockaos, rainbow parrots and wallabies.

A walking track passes through a variety of vegetation types. Dogs are permitted in the forest. There are also volunteer shooters from the Sporting Shooters Association who will fire at deer.

Sherbrooke Forest is home to some of the world’s largest flowering trees, including Mountain Ash. These huge trees reach a height of up to 100 metres. They are the tallest flowering plant in the world, and they can live for more than 500 years.

If you have a weekend away, make sure you stop by Sherbrooke. It’s a lovely little town in the Dandenongs. You can check out some of the local boutiques and tearooms. Also, you can go to Sherbrooke Falls.

In the early twentieth century, the first postmaster in Sherbrooke was Robert W. Graham. Since then, the area has seen some changes. Before the Europeans arrived, the Wurundjeri people occupied the area. During the nineteenth century, timbergetters harvested local forests.

Today, Sherbrooke Forest is managed by Parks Victoria. It’s a popular tourist destination. The forest is surrounded by farmland on the eastern edge, and residential properties on the west.

There are also some wonderful public gardens within the area. One of them is the Alfred Nicholas Memorial Garden. This botanic garden was originally a garden for Burnham Beeches.

The house was restored by Hearth architects. Its original single-room cottage was expanded and renovated over time.