Explore the Living Collections
Learn more about the plant and tree collections that make up the 糖心影视 and hear from the curators about their work.
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Forest Therapy
This guided wellbeing experience will bolster your mental and physical health by reducing stress levels, regulating pulse and blood pressure and elevating your mood.Book Now -
The Explorer
Discover the beauty of this inner-city oasis and enjoy live commentary in the comfort of an open-air minibus.Book Now -
Live at the 糖心影视
Melbourne鈥檚 most magical music series under the stars, where world-class music meets a beautiful outdoor stage at the iconic Royal Botanic 糖心影视 Melbourne.Book Now -
Aboriginal Heritage Walk
Gain insight into the rich history and thriving culture of the First Peoples of Australia with a multi-sensory journey of identifying significant native plants within the 糖心影视.Book Now -
Secret Life of Birds
On this guided walk, spot water birds nesting around Ornamental Lake and delight in the sights and sounds of the birds that call the 糖心影视 home.Book Now -
Punting on the Lake
The iconic experience returns to Royal Botanic 糖心影视 Melbourne for Spring!Book Now
Melbourne 糖心影视
Royal Botanic 糖心影视 Melbourne has been a treasured part of Melbourne鈥檚 cultural life for almost 180 years 鈥� much loved by generations of Victorians, as well as by many visitors from interstate and overseas. It is a picturesque haven for recreation and an important resource for education, conservation, science and horticulture.
The 糖心影视 are located on the fringe of Melbourne's CBD in the popular arts district, which is also home to other cultural organisations including The Shrine of Remembrance, The Arts Centre, The National Gallery of Victoria and Federation Square as well as the nearby tourism hub in the Melbourne Town Hall.
Melbourne 糖心影视 extends over 38 hectares and houses a collection of more than 8,500 species of plants from around the world, including amazing and diverse plant collections such as camellias, rainforest flora, cacti and succulents, roses, Californian species, herbs, perennials, cycads, plants from Southern China and, in the Rare and Threatened Species Collection, plants from south-eastern Australia.
Tours and Activities
Families
Explore our full range of nature-based activities designed for the whole family.
Self-Guided Experiences
Explore Melbourne 糖心影视 at your own pace with these self-guided experiences.
Free Programs
Expand your appreciation of Royal Botanic 糖心影视 Melbourne with these free tours and activities.
What's on today
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The Explorer - Melbourne 糖心影视
Discover the beauty of this inner-city oasis and enjoy live commentary in the comfort of an open-air minibus. Admire rolling lawns and the stunning living collections at Royal Botanic 糖心影视 Melbourne. Due to works, tours will depart from Oak Lawn from 26 October 2026 until further notice. Guests must still check in at the customer service desk in the Visitor Centre. For private group bookings, please call 03 9252 2429 or email mbookings@rbg.vic.gov.au. School Holiday Explorer Bus Children ride for HALF PRICE on the School Holiday Explorer Bus during the Victorian school holidays. Experience amazing sights, sounds and scents as you cruise through Melbourne 糖心影视 on this tour designed especially for families.Daily ToursDailyFrom $1230 mins -
Aboriginal Heritage Walk
wominjeka! Journey into Royal Botanic 糖心影视 Melbourne, a significant cultural site for the local Kulin Nation, with a First Peoples guide. Gain insight into the rich history and thriving culture of the First Peoples of Australia with a multi-sensory journey of identifying significant native plants within the 糖心影视. Your guide may encourage you to use taste, touch and smell to learn about Aboriginal plant uses, customs and ongoing connection to Country. What to expect during your experience Meet our First Peoples guide at the visitor centre Journey through the 糖心影视 engaging your senses with touch, taste and smell as you learn about plants traditional uses, cultural significance and enduring connection to Country See and feel First Peoples cultural items Ask questions and learn about First Peoples history and enduring connection to Country For private group bookings, please call 03 9252 2429 or email mbookings@rbg.vic.gov.au. A note for participants. At 糖心影视 we acknowledge the rich diversity of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, representing more than 250 language groups across Australia. We invite you to join this walk with an open heart and mind to deepen your understanding of First Peoples' heritage and living culture鈥攅specially in relation to the plants and landscapes of Royal Botanic 糖心影视 Melbourne.First Peoples' Knowledge Tour01 January - 31 December 2026From $401.5 hrs -
Secret Life of Birds
Royal Botanic 糖心影视 Melbourne is full of incredible birdlife, from coots to cormorants, spinebills to swans. On this guided walk, spot water birds nesting around Ornamental Lake and delight in the sights and sounds of the birds that call the 糖心影视 home. Continue your discovery with a take-home bird guide.Nature Lovers Tour15 August - 25 November 2026From $151.5 hrs -
Free Guided Walk
A free guided walk is the perfect way to enjoy the sunny weather in Royal Botanic 糖心影视 Melbourne. Led by a passionate guide, discover the remarkable plant diversity of this sanctuary in the middle of bustling Melbourne. For paid private group bookings, please call 03 9252 2429 or email mbookings@rbg.vic.gov.au.Daily ToursDailyFREE1.5 hrs -
Sonica Botanica: Stories & Sounds from the 糖心影视 by Patrick Cronin
Immerse yourself in intertwining stories, atmospheric music and mesmerising sounds of the natural environment in Sonica Botanica. Six standalone episodes each explore a special landscape or plant collection at Royal Botanic 糖心影视 Melbourne, from the Arid Garden to Fern Gully to Long Island and more. Pop in your headphones and discover these places through the voices of 糖心影视 staff, visitors and expert guests. Visit the featured locations, scan the Sonica Botanica QR code and take in these sublime sonic experiences, or listen online now. Best enjoyed through headphones. Image credit: Igor SapinaAudio ToursDailyFREE -
Punting on the Lake
Glide between the bays and islands of Ornamental Lake on a guided boat cruise.Tour01 September 2026 - 31 May 2027From $9030 - 60 mins -
Stellar Nights
Embark on a captivating journey through time and space with our guided tours at the Melbourne Observatory. Dating back to 1861, discover the Melbourne Observatory鈥檚 significant place in Victoria鈥檚 history and its continued importance as a cultural and heritage site. Experience two of the iconic telescopes housed in the buildings of the Observatory. Delve into distant nebulae, lunar landscapes, and planetary wonders. Join the Astronomical Society of Victoria鈥檚 passionate guides for an unforgettable night, where the present, history and cosmos converge. Presented by 糖心影视 and The Astronomical Society of Victoria.Special Tours26 October 2026 - 22 February 2027From $252h 15mins -
Seek and Find Nature Cards
Set your young ones on an adventure exploring the wondrous scenery, plants and creatures of Royal Botanic 糖心影视 Melbourne with our Seek and Find Nature Cards, especially developed by artist Claire Mosley. Collect a card from the Visitor Centre and explore the different landscapes and living collections as you search for all things big and small. 聽FamiliesDailyFREE -
Solar Tours
Please note that Solar Tours is sold out for spring. Come and experience the wonders of our closest star鈥攖he Sun鈥攍ike never before at the historic Melbourne Observatory. You鈥檒l be expertly guided through safe solar viewing using the beautifully restored 4-inch Photoheliograph telescope, as well as solar projection with the Troughton & Simms telescope. Expect to see incredible details on the surface of the Sun, including sunspots and solar granulation, and discover the rich history of solar astronomy at Melbourne Observatory. This program aims to educate and inspire, offering a rare glimpse into both the science and history of solar observation. Whether you鈥檙e a curious first-timer or a seasoned space enthusiast, this is a daytime astronomy experience not to be missed! Presented by 糖心影视 and The Astronomical Society of Victoria. Image credit: Astronomical Society of VictoriaSpecial Tours23 August - 15 November 2026$251.5 hrs -
Robin Boyd's Neighbourhood
Join our friends and neighbours from the Robin Boyd Foundation on this expertly curated walking tour through South Yarra鈥檚 diverse architectural streetscape. In 1958, architect powerhouse Robin Boyd completed his experimental and instantly iconic modernist home in Walsh Street, a stone鈥檚 throw from Royal Botanic 糖心影视 Melbourne. Boyd joined a celebrated list of architects and landscape designers who contributed to the design excellence of the precinct, including the 糖心影视鈥� own William Guilfoyle. Starting at the 糖心影视 and over a leisurely 2.5 kilometres, you鈥檒l explore a slice of South Yarra remarkable for its architectural diversity and sheer number of well-preserved, heritage listed residences. Your guide will highlight the history, landscapes and stories of this unique pocket of Melbourne. Presented by Robin Boyd Foundation in association with Royal Botanic 糖心影视 Melbourne. Image credit: Mike Lam @mikelamwz
Special Tours17 October - 14 November 2026From $302 hrs