Pirianda Gardens, Olinda, Dandenong Ranges

Pirianda Gardens, Olinda, Dandenong Ranges created by Victoria Walks

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Summary

One of the lesser-known but possibly most enjoyable and beautiful garden rambles in the Dandenong Ranges.

Description

We just loved our early-Autumn ramble through these beautiful gardens - which are just perfect for losing yourself in - mentally as well as physically!

Simply pick a path and follow as these gardens - while smaller than many other formal gardens in the Dandenongs at 11 hectares - have a high beauty-per-step ratio! As you head away from the main entrance you'll find the terraced slopes become laced with stone-wall paths.

We particularly likes Maple Grove and see if you can find all 28 species of maple in the gardens.

Open hours: 10:00 am to 5:00 pm every day except Christmas Day.

Dogs: Dogs are permitted in the Pirianda Gardens but must be kept on-leash to protect plants and native fauna.

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Points of Interest

1. Entrance to the gardens

Enter the gardens through the covered main gate. This is a good place to read up on the history of the site.

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2. Meandering stonewall paths

The best thing about these gardens are the gorgeous 2km network of stonewall paths. Pick one! They're all lovely.

3. Maple Walk

This was a favourite path, with a great variety of mature maples - so brilliant in the Autumn months!

4. Lush gully

As you get further down the garden towards the creek, notice the tree ferns and larger Blackwoods, not cleared by William Pollard in the early 1900s.

5. Rollings Drive

Make your way back from the bottom of the garden towards the entrance along the much more open Rollings Drive.

6. Fabulous Mountain Ash

You may notice some gentle Australian giants as you amble up Rollings Drive.

7. Historic gazebo

A great place to take a break at any point of your journey to Pirianda as there are not many seats dotted around.

8. Toilets

Even the public toilets here are covered in beautiful plants!

9. Mature exotics

Soon after you enter the gardens you'll see some older non-native trees along either side of the main path, probably planted by Harvey and Gillian Ansell in the 1960s.