Victoria's Royal Botanic Gardens Wants You To Design Their Masterplan

During August the Royal Botanic Gardens Victoria invites you to share your ideas and aspirations for Melbourne Gardens, to help prepare a 20-year master plan for this historic and world-famous botanic garden. Melbourne Gardens is one of Melbourne’s most visited attractions with more than 1.6 million people entering the gates each year.

The stunning 38-hectare site was established in 1846 and features more than 8,500 plant species sourced from around the globe. Set within William Guilfoyle’s iconic picturesque landscape are displays that celebrate the beauty, diversity and importance of plants – some rare and threatened, others awe-inspiring for their size, beauty or botanical curiosity.

Prof Tim Entwisle, Director and Chief Executive, said every one of these projects has made the Melbourne Gardens a more vibrant and inspiring place.

“Now, with a changing climate, increased pressure on our urban green spaces and a new vision centered around how plants sustain and enrich life, it’s time for us to prepare for the next 20 years. We want your boldest and bravest ideas!”

Chris Cole, Director of Melbourne Gardens is leading the project and is seeking new and exciting ideas from all parts of the community.

“Our aim is to create a strong Master Plan that provides a vision that celebrates the past, and plans for the future.” he said. “Melbourne Gardens has a special place in the hearts of many Victorians. It is a place where people have fond memories of rolling down the hills when they were young, visiting on school excursions or for special family picnics or weddings, while others love the serenity and peaceful surrounds the Gardens provide in a busy world.”
Get involved

Complete a short (4min) Master Plan survey to submit your exciting ideas or small suggestions.

Visit on Saturday 20 August, 11am to 3pm at the Visitor Centre, Birdwood Avenue, to meet the Master Plan team and share your ideas.

The last Melbourne Gardens Master Plan, in 1997, included projects such as:

• Perennial Border (1998)

• Observatory Gate Precinct (1999)

• Long Island (2004)

• Canna Bed Rain Garden (2007)

• Guilfoyle’s Volcano (2010)

• Working Wetlands (2012)

• Fern Gully Restoration (2015)