If you and your family love beautiful flowers then head up to the national Rhododendron gardens in Olinda for a visual feast this spring.
With a lot of flowers just ready to bloom there’s no better way to celebrate the coming of the warmer weather than to spend a day in the Dandenongs and enjoy a picnic on the Cherry Tree Lawn.
Enjoy a self-guided tour, strolling through 40 hectares of scenic botanic gardens or a picnic by the lake and take in stunning views of the Australian Alps. Alternatively, there is an option for visitors to the garden to enjoy a 25 minute non-stop guided tour on the Garden Explorer Bus on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays only from 15 September through to 6 November
Exploring the gardens:
During the Spring Floral Festival held annually from August to November visitors can enjoy a series of undercover floral displays, including the largest undercover display of daffodils in the Southern Hemisphere. Photographers delight in an abundance of native birdlife, brilliant floral scenery and majestic surrounds and backdrop.
The gardens are enhanced by the beauty of the surrounding natural environment. Tall Mountain Ash (Eucalyptus regnans) provide a magnificent vertical accent to the gardens. Mountain Ash are the tallest flowering trees in the world.
Magnificent views overlook Silvan Reservoir, the Yarra Valley, Warburton Ranges and Mount Baw Baw. Many species of birds and animals frequent 
the gardens. The resident lyrebirds may occasionally be seen or heard.
Take your time and enjoy all of the constantly changing vistas of the gardens, or if you would prefer, take a shorter walk to specific area of the gardens.
Should you decide to walk the entire Gardens (a round trip of approximately 5km) you will encounter some steeper grades.
The friendly staff at the Gift Shop at the Main Entrance will be delighted to advise and direct you to areas of the gardens that most interest you.
The garden has a gatehouse, gazebos, grassed picnic areas and toilet facilities for people with limited mobility.
Eating:
- Café Vireya is currently closed but is available for large group bookings.
- There are picnic tables on the Cherry Tree Lawn.
Gifts and things to take home:
A plant nursery operates selling a wide variety of plants including rhododendrons. There is a gardens giftshop stocking a wide range of gifts including limited edition prints, gardening books and garden ornaments.
Hours and Entry:
Free Entry
The National Rhododendron Gardens are open 10.00am to 5.00pm daily (last entry 4.30pm)
Contact:
For enquiries please contact Parks Victoria on 13 1963.
http://parkweb.vic.gov.au/explore/parks/national-rhododendron-garden