At a glance
- Entry
- Free, except for special ticketed events; open every day of the year, including public holidays
- Hours
- 7:30am to 7:30pm; 7:30am to 5:30pm from 1 April to 30 September (subject to change)
- Train
- Cranbourne, Pakenham and Sunbury line to Anzac Station
- Tram
- Routes 3, 5, 6, 16, 64, 67 and 72 to Stop 19 Shrine of Remembrance / St Kilda Road, a 650 metre walk to Observatory Gate
- Parking
- Street metered parking for up to four hours near the entry gates; conditions vary during nearby events
- Bikes
- Bike parking near Observatory Gate; riding bikes and e-scooters inside the gardens is not permitted
- Phone
- +61 3 9252 2429
Royal Botanic Gardens Melbourne is open every day of the year with free entry, and you can reach it by train to Anzac Station or by the tram to Stop 19 Shrine of Remembrance / St Kilda Road, which is a 650-metre walk from Observatory Gate. The gardens are about two kilometres from the city centre, according to Royal Botanic Gardens Victoria.
This guide uses the Getting Here page for Melbourne Gardens, checked on 22 October 2026. It covers opening hours, public transport, parking, bikes and the support service for visitors with limited mobility.
When are the gardens open?
Melbourne Gardens is open every day of the year, including public holidays, and entry is free except for special ticketed events. The current opening hours are 7:30am to 7:30pm. Between 1 April and 30 September, the closing time changes to 5:30pm. The gardens note that hours are subject to change and point visitors to their homepage for the current hours.
- Visitor Centre: near Observatory Gate, open 9:30am to 5pm daily except Christmas Day. Staff can help with bookings, mobility hire and information on self-guided experiences.
- Ian Potter Foundation Children’s Garden: opens at 10am and is closed on Mondays and Tuesdays, except school and public holidays. It is open every day during Victorian school holidays and public holidays, and is closed during winter from the start of Term 3 until Father’s Day.
How do I get there by public transport?
| Mode | What the gardens list |
|---|---|
| Train | Cranbourne, Pakenham and Sunbury line, Anzac Station |
| Tram | Routes 3, 5, 6, 16, 64, 67 and 72, Stop 19 Shrine of Remembrance / St Kilda Road; a 650 metre walk from the stop to Observatory Gate |
| Bus | Routes 605 and 246 |
For detailed public transport information, the gardens refer visitors to Transport Victoria. Public transport is half price until 1 January 2027, as set out in our myki fares guide.
Can I park near the gardens?
The gardens say street metered car parking for up to four hours is generally found close to the entry gates, and that parking conditions vary according to nearby events. They add that the City of Melbourne enforces parking restrictions in the area. Disabled parking bays are marked on the gardens’ Interactive Map. The gardens do not publish parking rates on this page, so check the meter and signs.
Which gate should I use?
You can enter from any of the gardens’ ten gates, and the gardens suggest checking the map to see which gate suits you. Observatory Gate is the one named for the Visitor Centre, the bike parking and the walk from the tram stop.
What about bikes and scooters?
Designated bicycle paths along the Yarra River and the Melbourne CBD lead to Melbourne Gardens. Riding bicycles and electronic scooters inside the gardens is not permitted. Dedicated bicycle parking is available near Observatory Gate, next to the Visitor Centre.
Is there help for visitors with limited mobility?
The Travellers Aid Companion Service has volunteers who support people with disability, or with additional mobility requirements, travelling to the gardens from Monday to Friday. A volunteer can meet you at a public transport hub and provide wheelchair assistance or personal guidance to and from the gardens, or provide mobility assistance during a tour. Bookings are essential; contact Travellers Aid on 1300 700 399 or book online at travellersaid.org.au. The gardens’ accessibility page has detailed information.
Domesticated animals must be leashed at Melbourne Gardens.
Quick plan
- By train: Anzac Station, on the Cranbourne, Pakenham and Sunbury line.
- By tram: any of routes 3, 5, 6, 16, 64, 67 or 72 to Stop 19, then a 650 metre walk to Observatory Gate.
- By car: metered street parking near the gates, up to four hours; check signs for event restrictions.
- By bike: park near Observatory Gate and walk in.
- Contact: +61 3 9252 2429 or rbg@rbg.vic.gov.au.
Sources
- Royal Botanic Gardens Victoria — Getting Here, Melbourne Gardens (checked 22 October 2026)
- Transport Victoria — Public transport now half price for everyone (22 May 2026)
Featured image: The ornamental lake at Royal Botanic Gardens Melbourne (photo: Devo Vagabond / CC BY-SA 4.0) (text added)
OZ Local Updates is an independent local guide and is not affiliated with Royal Botanic Gardens Victoria or Transport Victoria. Opening hours and parking conditions can change; check the official pages above and the signs on site.