Explore
Pirianda Gardens
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
Dandenong Ranges Botanic Garden
William Ricketts Sanctuary
Dandenong Ranges National Park
Bird watching
Dog walking
Picnics
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:
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.
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.
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.
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.