Williamstown Botanic Gardens

Nestled by the sea, complete with rare and significant trees, a formal palm avenue and a charming Edwardian ornamental pond among its many attractions, the Williamstown Botanic Gardens, opened in 1860, provides a peaceful setting in which to enjoy a picnic, take a stroll along the intricate pathways or just relax and daydream on the cool green lawns.

An easy 10 minute walk from the ferry service in Commonwealth Reserve and just a few minutes from the Williamstown Beach Railway Station, the gardens have good accessibility with firm gravel paths and facilities nearby.

Williamstown Botanic Gardens are one of Victoria’s first public gardens and are listed on the Victorian Heritage Register as significant for their historical, aesthetic, scientific (horticultural) and social significance to the state of Victoria. They are also listed on the National Register and classified by The National Trust of Australia (Vic.)

Caring for the gardens

The gardens are a quiet retreat and a place set aside for passive recreation.

Please note that erecting any structures including tents, awnings, shelters and umbrellas is not permitted in the Williamstown Botanic Gardens, including the Pinetum. Tent pegs are a serious risk to our irrigation system and guy ropes are a tripping hazard for visitors.

Please enjoy the shade of our trees.

Visitors can help us protect and care for these historic gardens by walking bikes through, keeping dogs on a lead, keeping off the mulched garden beds and taking ball games to Fearon Reserve adjacent to the gardens or to the Hatt Reserve on the Esplanade.

We encourage visitors to enjoy picnics on the lawns. Barbecues of any kind are not permitted anywhere within the Williamstown Botanic Gardens – that is the area bounded by Osborne, Giffard, Esplanade and the Fearon Reserve boundary. Electric barbecues are available at Hatt Reserve on the Esplanade.