Embrace the spirit and beauty of Royal Botanic Gardens Cranbourne as it transforms after-dark with Lightfall. A world-first event for Melbourne’s South East, this exciting new experience will premiere exclusively during the 2025 April school holidays.  As dusk settles, stroll through an illuminated landscape and see the award-winning botanic gardens come to life under a vast autumn night sky. From large-scale light sculptures to an immersive soundscape, Lightfall promises to be a magical evening for all ages.  Whether you're looking for a family-friendly outing, a romantic date night, or simply an escape into nature’s after-dark charm, Lightfall offers something special for everyone.  Enjoy a selection of tasty food and drink options to perfectly complement this enchanting celebration of nature’s beauty.  Tickets on-sale NOW!  Don’t miss this exclusive world-wide debut of Lightfall – an intimate, bespoke, light trail experience in the Australian Garden, from the presenters of the global sell-out sensation, Lightscape.  Getting to Lightfall The most direct way to travel to Lightfall is by car. Entry to Lightfall is only via the West Entrance of Royal Botanic Gardens Cranbourne. The West Entrance is located at the end of Ballarto Road. It can only be accessed from the Cranbourne-Frankston Road direction. Please enter Donnelly’s Garden Supplies into your GPS or maps app, and follow directions to the corner of Ballarto and Cranbourne-Frankston Roads. Continue through to the end of Ballarto Road for Lightfall entry. There will be no other entrance to Lightfall - the East Entrance near South Gippsland Highway, including all internal roads, are closed with strictly no entry. Parking There is no alternative parking for this event. Please ensure that you have purchased parking if you intend to travel by car. You will not be able to park your car if you have not pre-purchased parking. On more popular dates, we have arranged overflow car parking which you may be directed to. If using the overflow car park, buses will transport you the short distance to and from the Lightfall entrance. We recommend arriving at least 15 minutes prior to your session time to allow enough time to park and enter the event. Is someone dropping you off? There is a strict 1 minute drop off / pick up zone on site. This is located at the onsite carpark. Staff will direct cars, taxis and rideshare services to this zone. Got a question? Our Frequently Asked Questions are a good place to start: FAQs For more getting there and key information to prepare for your Lightfall experience, please visit this page. A small number of wheelchairs are available for hire.  All food and drink information for the event can be found here.

Discover the iconic Australian landscape and enjoy live commentary in the comfort of an open-air electric bus. From the Red Sand Garden, journey through the themed display gardens ending with the Eucalypt Walk, featuring only Australian plants. For private group bookings, please call 03 9252 2429 or email mbookings@rbg.vic.gov.au. Kids Explorer Children ride FREE on the Kids Explorer Bus during the school holidays. Experience amazing sights, sounds and scents as you cruise through the Australian Garden on this tour designed especially for families. Breathe in the fragrances of different eucalypt trees as you take in the colours of the landscape and find out why plants are so important for our planet. Learn more here. 

Venture through the highlights of the Australian Garden, see what’s in flower, breathe in the fresh air, smell the plants and hear interesting stories about our Australian plants from your experienced guide. For private group bookings, please call 03 5990 2200 or email mbookings@rbg.vic.gov.au.

The Cranbourne Gardens Shuttle Bus can be booked for transport between Cranbourne Train Station and Cranbourne Gardens for community members and tourists, including those with mobility requirements. The 9 seater bus is comfortable, wheelchair accessible (x1 chair) and has 1 compliant anchored baby seat for infants and up to 4 years and 1 additional booster seat suitable from 4 to 8 years. We can accomodate additional children if you provide your own booster seat, where anchoring is not required. Please contact the Cranbourne Gardens Visitor Centre on 03 5990 2262 to make a request. We will do our very best to assist you, pending availability.  All children must be accompanied by an adult.

Do you want to understand how climate change is affecting our plants and wildlife and contribute to climate change research? Join our ClimateWatch advocates on this free guided walk to monitor biodiversity at Royal Botanic Gardens Cranbourne. Learn about indicator species of plants and animals and how climate change is affecting their seasonal behaviour. The data you observe and record will help shape Australia’s scientific response to climate change.  Make a real difference in your local community. Download the ClimateWatch app prior to the tour. Learn more at www.climatewatch.org.au.

Discover the wonderful world of the birds that call the Australian Garden home. Take a behind-the-scenes look at how they have shaped the country’s forests and wildflowers on a guided tour through the Australian Garden. See and hear them flying, feeding and nesting as you explore the landscape. Some of the unique species you may come across include the Superb Fairy-wren (Malurus cyaneus), the New Holland Honeyeater (Phylidonyris novaehollandiae) or the Willie Wagtail (Rhipidura leucophrys).

Explore the fascinating world of Australian plants and their incredible relationships with birds and animals on this specialised Explorer bus tour. Be guided on a journey through the diverse landscapes of Australia within our meticulously curated Australian Garden, from the arid deserts to the vibrant coastal zones and lush bushlands.

Cranbourne Gardens is a unique haven for endangered Southern Brown Bandicoots, along with a wide array of native wildlife. Enjoy a guided walk through the Australian Garden to learn all about these marvelous marsupials, and be empowered to transform your own garden into an oasis for wildlife including native bees, butterflies, birds and more.  Whether you live in the bush or the heart of the city, learn which plants and garden features can support your favourite critters, and some simple steps to act for bandicoots and help them thrive in the suburbs.   Participants will also receive a complimentary wildlife gardening booklet. Proudly supported by the Melbourne Strategic Assessment Program. Image credit: Sharon Start.

Children ride FREE on the Kids Explorer Bus during the school holidays. Experience amazing sights, sounds and scents as you cruise through the Gardens on this tour designed especially for families. Breathe in the fragrances of different eucalypt trees as you take in the colours of the landscape and learn why plants are so important for our planet.