The Cranbourne division of the Royal Botanic Gardens specialises in native Australian flora and spans over 350 hectares. The gardens are home to over 170,000 plants, including those residing in the rugged Australian Garden.

At Blue Lotus Water Garden, a multitude of water lilies and lotus flowers bloom over dozens of ponds and two lakes, and the gardens extend over 50,000 square metres. Take a stroll around the gardens and peek inside the four greenhouses that grow rare plants, including the giant Amazon lily.

Yarran Dheran connects to Mullum Mullum Creek Reserve and the EastLink Trail, which is adjacent to its eponymous freeway. Yet Yarran Dheran and its adjoining parklands feel more like a stroll in the peaceful Dandenongs than Melbourne's busy eastern suburbs.

This botanic garden was only christened a botanic garden in 2017, as it was previously known as the National Rhododendron Garden. These days you’ll find more than just rhododendrons, with azaleas, camellias, cherries and daffodils providing some delicious rainbow colour to the grounds.

Almost three hours outside Melbourne you’ll find a slice of the old Wild West at Cactus Country. Home to the biggest collection of cacti in Australia, Cactus Country has over four hectares of gardens ready to be explored. The gardens showcase more than 4,000 species of sprouting cacti and succulents.

These European-style gardens are situated in the not-so-European hills of Shepherds Flat in north-west Victoria. The farm sits on a 100-acre property originally operated by a Swiss-Italian family who came to Victoria in search of gold. Today it boasts an incredible lavender farm, vegetable and herb gardens and an on-site cafe.

Take a walk through the park and see the awesome canopy of Mountain Ash trees or take a picnic by the picturesque lake and quaint boathouse. The park is home to Australia’s native flora, which is changing all year round.

This garden originally established by early colonies as a way of assessing how well plants would fare in the Australian climate. As a result, the garden's main features include a plethora of exotic plants, an Edwardian ornamental pond and a formal palm avenue.