There is an abundance of beautiful gardens in the Dandenong Ranges which will keep even the most avid Burke's Backyard watcher happy for days. In many of the gardens in the Dandenongs you can sense the legacy of Edna Walling www.ednawalling.info A celebrated landscape designer and gardener, her designs always focused on the mix of native plants growing alongside her favourites from the Northern Hemisphere.
- 89 Olinda Monbulk Rd, Olinda Melways 122 A9
- Gardens, Nursery & Restaurant Open 10am - 5pm Daily
A must see garden with garden compartments threaded through 80 year old European beech, magnolias, maples and Himalayan tree rhododendrons. The garden is highlighted by glorious herbaceous borders which focus on two of the finest Japanese weeping maples. Grab a bite at Chatterleys as well, the Chatter Platter is to die for.
- The Georgian Rd, off Olinda Monbulk Rd, Olinda Melways 66 K6
- Open 10am - 5pm Daily
Hosting an unparalleled variety of brilliantly coloured rhododendrons, azaleas, camellias, and daffodils you can enjoy a self-guided tour through the 103 acres of botanic gardens. Enjoy a picnic by the lake and take in stunning views of the Australian Alps. During spring and autumn, there are special garden tours, talks and demonstrations.
- Hacketts Road, off Olinda Monbulk Rd, Olinda Melways 122 A12
- Open 10am - 4pm Daily
Highlighting the steep slopes, the 28 acres of terraced gardens are distinctive for their botanically important trees, shrubs and perennials with an overstorey of large blackwoods and mountain ash over natural fern gullies. The garden comes alive in autumn when the trees change colour to the many hues of orange, red and yellow.
- Sherbrooke Rd, Sherbrooke Melways 75 G1
- Open 10am - 5pm Daily
The many linking paths through this garden take you beneath a canopy of the awesome mountain ash trees. The garden was part of the historic Burnham Beeches Estate, home of Alfred Nicholas, developer of the Aspro formula. It is known for its extensive water features including waterfalls and an ornamental lake complete with boathouse.
- Sherbrooke Rd, Sherbrooke Melways 75 J2
- Open 10am - 5pm Daily
In 1958 George Tindale, a research scientist with the Dep. of Agriculture, purchased the property and developed the garden creating the plantings that you can see today. Mrs Tindale bequeathed the garden to the Conservation Trust in 1980. The towering mountain ash provide a canopy for a variety of floral highlights throughout the year.
- 357 Monbulk Road, Silvan Melways 123 B5
The best times to visit are from Spring until early December and then from February to early March (which is when the gardens are at their peak for the annual Gardeners Weekend). However, the gardens are still well worth visiting during most of Spring, Summer and early Autumn. See the What's Going on Page for Special Events like the Tesselaar Tulip Festival and the Gardening and Rare Plants Expo.
- 105 Quayle Road, Wandin Yallock Melways 121 F2
- Open Wednesday to Sunday 10am - 5pm
Warratina Lavender Farm, run by Annemarie & Peter Manders and family, produces products which are made from lavender grown on the farm. Both these and a range of lavender plants are available from the cottage at the farm. You can stroll through the fragrant lavender rows have a picnic or stop for a bite at the Purple Haze Cafe.
Linden Gardens Rainforest Retreat +61 03 9751 1103 relax@lindengardens.com.au