Wellbeing

Please note, the Cranbourne Gardens Explorer Bus will be out of action from Friday April 10 to Sunday April 12. Discover the iconic Australian landscape and enjoy live commentary in the comfort of an open-air electric bus. From the Red Sand Garden, journey through the themed display gardens ending with the Eucalypt Walk, featuring only Australian plants. For private group bookings, please call 03 9252 2429 or email mbookings@rbg.vic.gov.au. School Holidays Explorer Bus Children ride HALF PRICE on the School Holidays Explorer Bus during the Victorian school holidays. Experience amazing sights, sounds and scents as you cruise through the Australian Garden on this tour designed especially for families. Breathe in the fragrances of different eucalypt trees as you take in the colours of the landscape and find out why plants are so important for our planet. Learn more here. 

Originating from Japan, Shinrin-yoku, or “forest bathing,” is a preventative health practice that improves and strengthens mental and physical wellbeing. Recognised as a public health practice in Asia and Europe, Forest Therapy is gaining global acclaim as an evidence-based, cost-effective and natural remedy – a ‘green prescription’ for a healthier you.  You will learn simple nature connection, sensory and creative practices to help calm your mind. Other proven health benefits of Forest Therapy include boosted immune system, reduced stress levels, regulated pulse and blood pressure and better sleep.  For exclusive group experiences, team-building, or staff wellbeing programs please email events@rbg.vic.gov.au. Presented by Royal Botanic Gardens Victoria, In My Nature and the International Nature and Forest Therapy Alliance (INFTA).

Venture through the highlights of the Australian Garden with one of our experienced guides. Discover what’s in bloom, explore the diversity of Australian plants, and hear stories about the garden’s award-winning design and the unique landscapes it brings to life. For private group bookings, please call 03 5990 2200 or email mbookings@rbg.vic.gov.au.

The Cranbourne Gardens Shuttle Bus can be booked for transport between Cranbourne Train Station and Cranbourne Gardens for community members and tourists, including those with mobility requirements. The 9 seater bus is comfortable, wheelchair accessible (x1 chair) and has 1 compliant anchored baby seat for infants and up to 4 years and 1 additional booster seat suitable from 4 to 8 years. We can accomodate additional children if you provide your own booster seat, where anchoring is not required. Please contact the Cranbourne Gardens Visitor Centre on 03 5990 2262 to make a request. We will do our very best to assist you, pending availability.  All children must be accompanied by an adult.

Do you want to understand how climate change is affecting our plants and wildlife and contribute to climate change research? Join our ClimateWatch advocates on this free guided walk to monitor biodiversity at Royal Botanic Gardens Cranbourne. Learn about indicator species of plants and animals and how climate change is affecting their seasonal behaviour. The data you observe and record will help shape Australia’s scientific response to climate change.  Make a real difference in your local community. Download the ClimateWatch app prior to the tour. Learn more at www.climatewatch.org.au.

Discover the wonderful world of the birds that call the Australian Garden home. Take a behind-the-scenes look at how they have shaped the country’s forests and wildflowers on a guided tour through the Australian Garden. See and hear them flying, feeding and nesting as you explore the landscape. Some of the unique species you may come across include the Superb Fairy-wren (Malurus cyaneus), the New Holland Honeyeater (Phylidonyris novaehollandiae) or the Willie Wagtail (Rhipidura leucophrys).

Children ride HALF PRICE on the School Holiday Explorer Bus during the school holidays. Experience amazing sights, sounds and scents as you cruise through the Gardens on this tour designed especially for families. Breathe in the fragrances of different eucalypt trees as you take in the colours of the landscape and learn why plants are so important for our planet.

Cranbourne Gardens is a unique haven for endangered Southern Brown Bandicoots, along with a wide array of native wildlife. Enjoy a guided walk through the Australian Garden to learn all about these marvelous marsupials, and be empowered to transform your own garden into an oasis for wildlife including native bees, butterflies, birds and more.  Whether you live in the bush or the heart of the city, learn which plants and garden features can support your favourite critters, and some simple steps to act for bandicoots and help them thrive in the suburbs.   Participants will also receive a complimentary wildlife gardening booklet. Proudly supported by the Melbourne Strategic Assessment Program. Image credit: Sharon Start.

Our great big bandicoot comes out of hiding. Come and say hi! Created with natural materials by artists Darryl Cordell, Vanessa Ellis and Trina Gaskell, this beautiful sculpture likes to have somewhere cosy to sleep – just like the last remaining population of Southern Brown Bandicoots in urban Victoria, which have found refuge in Cranbourne Gardens. Explore a bandicoot safe city with Wild City by artist Kathy Holowko - a mini urban landscape where wild animals are considered citizens and delight in watching award-winning theatre ensemble, Born in a Taxi, perform their southern brown bandicoot inspired performance. See the world as a bandicoot does, as you join in craft and science activities to uncover the wonderful world of our native marsupials - and learn about the best ways we can protect our nosey neighbours. But the excitement doesn’t stop there, over the weekend help us celebrate the 20th Anniversary of the award-winning Australian Garden with a jam-packed program of walks, talks, performances and hands-on activities to celebrate the People, Plants and Place! – you can find more information here!

Set your young ones on an adventure exploring the wondrous scenery, plants and creatures of Royal Botanic Gardens Cranbourne with our Seek and Find Nature Cards, especially developed by artists Claire Mosley and Casey Atkinson (Bangerang / Wiradjuri). Collect a card from the Visitor Centre and explore the different landscapes and living collections as you search for all things big and small.

Explore our award-winning Australian Garden on one of our electric mobility scooters for up to two hours. Our Garden is an all-access facility, providing safe paths for you to enjoy the beauty and diversity of Australian landscapes at your own leisure. For further information on accessibility, please call 5990 2200 or follow the link to our Accessibility – Cranbourne page.  If you would like to hire an electric mobility scooter at alternative time, please call Cranbourne Visitor Centre on 5990 2262 or email us at RBGC@rbg.vic.gov.au

Join us to celebrate the 20th anniversary of the award-winning Australian Garden at Royal Botanic Gardens Cranbourne! Explore, learn and immerse yourself in a weekend of free and low-cost festivities, including: All-ages workshops and activities, including the Big Bandicoot Backyard Live music and theatrical performances Expert talks, guided walks and tutorials Discover the people, plants, and place of this remarkable garden as we look back at the Australian Garden’s history and community connections, and also look forward as we plan for the exciting future of Cranbourne Gardens. This is a milestone birthday you won’t want to miss! Schedule Friday 10 April 10am - 3pm: Big Bandicoot Backyard 10am: Wild City Workshop 11am: Welcome event 11:30am: Born in a Taxi Performance 12pm: Wild City Workshop 12:30pm: Bandicoot Walk (bookings essential) 1:30pm: Born in a Taxi Performance Saturday 11 April All Day: People, Plants, Place Display 10am - 2pm: Storytime with Chillout Space (drop-in) 10am - 3pm: Big Bandicoot Backyard 10am - 3pm: String-Making (drop-in)  10am - 4pm: Wild City Exhibition  10am - 4pm: Wishing Tree 10:30am: Storytime session with Connected Libraries 10:30am: Welcome to Country & Smoking Ceremony, Opening event  11:30am: Born in a Taxi Performance  11:30am: Walk: 20 rare plants over 20 years (bookings essential) 11:30am: Tour: Behind-the-scenes at the nursery (bookings essential) 12pm - 4pm: Live Music  12:30pm: Storytime session with Connected Libraries 12:30pm: Bandicoot Walk (bookings essential) 1:30pm: Born in a Taxi Performance  1.30pm: Tour: Behind-the-scenes at the nursery (bookings essential) 2pm: Workshop: How to garden with kangaroo paws (bookings essential) Sunday 12 April All Day: People, Plants, Place Display 10am - 2pm: Storytime with Chillout Space (drop-in) 10am - 3pm: Big Bandicoot Backyard 10am - 3pm: String-Making (drop-in) 10am - 4pm: Wild City Exhibition 10am - 4pm: Wishing Tree 10am: Walk: 20 rare plants over 20 years (bookings essential) 10:30am: Storytime session with Connected Libraries 11:30am: Born in a Taxi Performance  12pm - 4pm: Live Music 12:30pm: Walk: 20 rare plants over 20 years (bookings essential) 12:30pm: Storytime session with Connected Libraries 12:30pm: Bandicoot Walk (bookings essential) 1:30pm: Born in a Taxi Performance 2pm: Workshop: How to garden with kangaroo paws (bookings essential)

You are invited to join us in creating Wild City, an alternative future city where wild animals and humans can thrive together. Learn about real environmental issues and challenges that wildlife face in our rapidly expanding cities, and how we can build habitat and infrastructure that considers how animals can live well and travel safely. Draw, plant and construct your ideas into a lush green mini city, that is a home for everyone. Together let’s create a truly Wild City. These workshops will help create the Wild City Exhibition that will be on display as part of the Big Bandicoot Backyard and Australian Garden 20th Birthday Celebrations on Saturday 11 and Sunday 12 April.