L'explorateur - Melbourne Gardens

I would like to express my sincere appreciation to our guide, whose name I believe was Joan or Jean, for leading The Free Explorer Walking Tour at the Royal Botanic Gardens Melbourne on 21 June at 1.30pm. This was one of the most peaceful and enjoyable experiences of our Melbourne holiday. From the beginning of the tour, our guide was warm, welcoming, and knowledgeable. She created a relaxed atmosphere where everyone felt comfortable asking questions and taking the time to appreciate the beauty of the gardens. What I enjoyed most was how educational the tour was. Before joining, I expected a pleasant walk through the gardens. Instead, I left with a much deeper appreciation of the history, design, and incredible collection of plants found within the Royal Botanic Gardens. A significant part of the tour focused on the beautiful camellia flowers, which were in bloom during our visit. Our guide explained the different varieties, their origins, why they are so highly valued, and their significance within the gardens. It gave us a new appreciation for these stunning flowers, and we found ourselves noticing details we would otherwise have walked past. Another highlight was learning about the magnificent oak trees throughout the gardens. Our guide shared fascinating information about their history, how long they have been growing, their importance to the landscape, and how they have become an iconic feature of the gardens. It was remarkable to learn about trees that have stood for generations and continue to thrive today. Beyond the plants themselves, I also appreciated the historical stories shared during the walk. Our guide spoke about the founders and early visionaries behind the Royal Botanic Gardens and how their dedication helped shape the gardens into one of Melbourne's most treasured attractions. Learning about the people behind the gardens gave us a much greater appreciation of the effort and planning involved in creating such a beautiful public space. The pace of the tour was perfect. There was plenty of time to stop, admire the scenery, take photographs, and enjoy the peaceful surroundings without ever feeling rushed. It felt less like a formal tour and more like a leisurely walk with someone who genuinely loved sharing their knowledge of nature and Melbourne's history. What stood out most was our guide's genuine passion. She spoke with enthusiasm about every topic, whether discussing flowers, trees, conservation, or the history of the gardens. Her passion made the experience engaging from beginning to end and encouraged everyone to look more closely at the natural beauty around us. As an international visitor from Singapore, I appreciated learning more about Australia's unique plant life and the history of one of Melbourne's most iconic attractions. This was much more than a sightseeing tour. It was an opportunity to better understand the natural and historical heritage of the city. The Royal Botanic Gardens are already a beautiful destination, but having such a knowledgeable guide transformed the visit into an educational and memorable experience. I would highly recommend The Explorer Walking Tour to anyone visiting Melbourne, whether you enjoy nature, photography, gardening, history, or simply want a relaxing afternoon surrounded by beautiful scenery. Thank you to Joan, or Jean if I have remembered your name incorrectly, for your knowledge, enthusiasm, and warm hospitality. You made our visit both enjoyable and meaningful, and I will happily recommend this tour to family and friends visiting Melbourne in the future.

It was great! The guide was very knowledgeable about plants and birds and the gardens themselves. She was friendly and humorous. She was able to answer all our questions. I have been coming here for years on my own and I will enjoy my visits more with my new knowledge

The guide Marie was friendly, and gave an interesting perspective on the garden.

Fantastic tours. On the explorer bus. And walking tour with Geraldine very informative

Rosemary was informed and quietly venting her knot of botany and the parklands.

Lindsey was amazing, so knowledgeable and it was so awesome to have someone of her experience walk us around the gardens. Definitely worth doing. You will learn so much :)

A good ride in the park. The guide lady was very nice. Good tour of the large botanical park. Try salted maple syrup cold brew at the cafe.

The guides were extremely knowledgeable not just about the birds themselves but also about the plants and trees and the history of the gardens! Couldn't think of a better way to spend a Saturday morning - in nature with warm people.

Had a great time on The Secret Life of Birds tour! We were able to borrow an extra set of binoculars and were given a booklet of birds we might see. Even though I have walked through the gardens many times it was amazing to stop and spot the birds and learn more about their habits and habitats. Highly recommended!

The gardens re beautiful and our guide Marg was excellent. Warm, approachable and knowledgeable