Pirianda Garden

This area has additional visitor advice This area has reported issues This area is closed

Explore

Pirianda Gardens

Pirianda Garden is part of an Aboriginal cultural landscape in the traditional Country of the Wurundjeri People. Parks Victoria respects the deep and continuing connection that Traditional Owners have to these lands and waters, and we recognise their ongoing role in caring for Country.

Designed to take advantage of the steep slopes, the terraced woodland garden of Pirianda contains a unique collection of plants, including many botanically important trees, unusual shrubs and perennials.

Featuring beautiful spring displays, Pirianda Garden is best known for its autumn colours and tree collection, including 28 different types of maples and 13 birch varieties.

With magnificent views and a backdrop of ever-changing colours, photographers and bird watchers are in for a treat, while the lawns are perfect for spreading out with a picnic feast.

Meander through the tranquil garden at your leisure, making your way from the grassy areas, through the terraces, and down to peaceful fern gullies beneath towering blackwoods and mountain ash.

Opening hours

Pirianda Garden is open 10:00 am to 5:00 pm every day except Christmas Day, days of Total Fire Ban, Severe Weather events and major works.

Check current conditions on the day of your planned visit to confirm it is open.

Things to do in the area

Alfred Nicholas Memorial Garden

Delightful all year round, choose your own adventure along the many linking paths beneath the canopy of Mountain Ash trees as you stroll through the garden.

A man with an afro wearing a leather jacket and woman wearing a cream knitted jumper walk past a tree with splendid autumn leaves.

Dandenong Ranges Botanic Garden

The Dandenong Ranges Botanic Garden (formerly the National Rhododendron Garden) is host to brilliantly coloured blooms of rhododendrons, azaleas, camellias, cherries and daffodils. Seasonal changes ensure the gardens are a delight all year around.

William Ricketts Sanctuary

Situated in a ferny glade in the Dandenongs, William Ricketts Sanctuary is a place of beauty and tranquillity, featuring extraordinary sculptures of people and animals half-hidden in the natural environment, just waiting to be discovered.

Two retired men go on a long walk through lush temperate rain-forest near Eagles nest picnic ground.

Dandenong Ranges National Park

Protecting the tall forests of the Dandenongs, this park is well known for its spectacular Mountain Ash trees and lush fern gullies, and is ideal for relaxing picnics and tranquil forest walks.

Bird watching

From bushland to wetlands and everything in between, parks provide habitat to an abundance of common and rare bird species. Go for a wander and see how many you can spot.

Four friends relax by the edge of the Yarra River as their curly brown dog gets ready to jump in the water.

Dog walking

Round up your dog, grab the lead and visit dog-friendly parks near Melbourne and across Victoria.

Three friends enjoy a picnic on the grass in front of the historic Wallace Hut.

Picnics

Head outdoors for lunch in the warmer months and enjoy a picnic in some of nature's most relaxing and inspiring settings.

Unique flora

The 11-hectare woodland garden contains many botanically significant exotic specimen trees and shrubs that are rare in Australia.

Collections of magnolias, azaleas, rhododendrons, camellias, dogwoods and many conifers can be seen.

Three specimens of the unusual and haunting Chinese Handkerchief Tree (Davidia involucrate) are located here, flowering annually in early November. The large bracts are up to 12cm long, pure white and conspicuous when waving in the wind.

Other unusual plants include members of the aceae plant family, Franklinia spp and Stewartia spp which are both attractive and rarely seen specimen plants, with delicate and beautiful flowers, and are related to the better-known camellias.

Wildlife

This area is well known for its wildlife. Keep an eye out for:

Crimson Rosella

Lyrebirds

Tours and adventure experiences in parks

One of the best ways you can get into nature is with a Licensed Tour Operator.

There are more than 400 Licensed Tour Operators across Victoria who are ready and waiting to help you experience and connect with Victoria’s spectacular parks and waterways.

Discover more than 60 different types of nature-based experiences including hiking, mountain biking, boating, four-wheel driving, indigenous culture tours, birdwatching, surfing, diving and so much more.

Licensed Tour Operators know all the best places to go and will plan and prepare your visit to ensure you are safe and can enjoy your nature-based adventure to the fullest.

Find a Licensed Tour Operator

How to get there

Pirianda Gardens

Pirianda Garden is located at 5-9 Hacketts Road, Olinda.

We recommend visitors access Hacketts Road via the Olinda-Monbulk Road only. Ignore GPS or Google Map directions that take you via Perrins Creek Road, as this access is extremely steep and only suitable for 4WD vehicles.

How to get there

When you're there

Download the Dandenong Ranges National Park - Sherbrooke Area map to see the location of Pirianda Gardens and other attractions nearby.

Please note: dogs are welcome in the garden, but must be on a leash at all times.

Plants and flowers in the garden are protected for the benefit of the community. Leave the plants for others to enjoy.

Bins are not provided. Please take your rubbish with you.

Dandenong Ranges National Park Sherbrooke Area Map

Related Sites

When to go

Escape the heat and see Mock Orange, Eucryphia, Clethra, Hydrangeas and NSW Christmas bush at their finest.

Need to know

Pirianda Gardens

Accessibility

Visiting a park can be more of a challenge for people with disabilities, however in Victoria there are a wide range of facilities to help people of all abilities enjoy our wonderful parks around the state.

Assistance Dogs

Assistance dogs are welcome in Parks Victoria parks and reserves. Entry requirements apply for parks and reserves that are usually dog prohibited, such as national parks.

Safety in nature

You can benefit both mind and body when you get outdoors to explore and experience Victoria's natural places. Before you go, take a look at our safety tips and check our changed conditions and closures information for a great visit.

Weddings

Thinking of holding a wedding ceremony or taking wedding photography in Pirianda Garden? The gazebo near the top of the garden is available for hire.

Find out more about wedding permit applications and guidelines.

How we keep it special

At the turn of the century the original forest at Pirianda was selected for settlement, with the exception of tree ferns and Blackwood in the fern gully. In 1911 the property was purchased by Mr Thomas Cook who planted several exotic trees. Later the land was sub-divided and leased for carrot and potato production.

Harvey and Gillian Ansell bought the 23-acre property in 1959. A further 5 acres was added some years later. The Ansell family gradually removed bracken and blackberries so that work could begin on the garden, a balance between exotic plantings and beautiful native rainforest species.

On annual overseas holidays, the Ansells always sought out new and unusual plants which they imported and displayed at Pirianda.

The garden was donated to the State Government of Victoria in 1977, with Parks Victoria commencing management in 1995.