Royal Botanic Gardens, Cranbourne

We stopped off for our first visit, en route to Phillip Island - not knowing such a fantastic place existed just off the highway.
Walking trails and 6km of cycling paths cover a huge section of the park's 363 hectares and allow access to areas of open grassland, bushland, woodland, wetlands and gardens.
Keep an eye out for birdlife, bandicoots, echidnas, wallabies, frogs and reptiles.

Climb to the top of Trig Point Lookout, for 360 degree views of the 2 bays, the city, Mt Macedon and the Dandenongs.

The Australian Garden is set on 15 hectares and tells a story of desert life in the Australian outback, of dry creek beds and rivers flowing to the sea.

Along the way, the vivid colours of native flowers light up the arid ground and there are bees on just about every plant.The Garden was first established in 2006 and the final stages completed in 2012. It has won many awards, both here and overseas.

 

 

Giant Bottle Trees and rock formations resembling The Pinnacles, have you thinking you've teleported to Western Australia. The temperature is just a bit cooler here...

You can't walk on the red desert area, but that's probably a good thing. I've been to the Desert and that red stuff gets in to every nook and cranny of your belongings. 
It is sensational to look at though...

Plenty of picnic areas around the place, to enjoy lunch while you're exploring the place.

The Garden Explorer shuttle operates on certain days. It stops at 6 locations around the gardens and costs $7.50

What: RBG Cranbourne

Where: Cnr Ballarto Road and Botanic Drive, Cranbourne

When: Daily 9am – 5pm

Why: native gardens, flora, fauna, wildlife

How Much: FREE entry to Gardens