Alfred Nicholas Gardens at Burnham Beeches in Sherbrooke, Dandenong Ranges

The Alfred Nicholas Gardens in Sherbrooke, Victoria are very un-Australian. These peaceful Dandenong Ranges gardens on the historic Burnham Beeches estate change with the seasons.

The Alfred Nicholas Gardens in Sherbrooke, Victoria, sometimes feel like a little slice of Englishness on the other side of the world. They may not be the most gripping tourist attraction in the Dandenong Ranges, but the Alfred Nicholas Gardens are indisputably lovely.

This Dandenong Ranges attraction is on the historic Burnham Beeches estate, which was owned by pharmaceutical entrepreneur Alfred Nicholas. These were the estate’s original gardens, designed to provide a backdrop to the 1930s art deco mansion.

Alfred Nicholas Gardens walking trails

There are several walking trails through the gardens, many sheltered by a canopy of mountain ash trees. Water features pop up at regular intervals, as do sculptures.

The centrepiece is the lake, with an old-fashioned boathouse next to it. The lake shore is a fine place for a picnic, and the gazebo is a good spot to rest the legs.

Perhaps the key factor of the Alfred Nicholas Gardens, however, is that it changes with the seasons. This may seem odd, but Australia doesn’t have dramatic autumns, where leaves change colour and fall. At the Alfred Nicholas Gardens, the number of imported northern hemisphere species makes for distinctive seasons.

Alfred Nicholas Gardens by season

Spring brings out azaleas, rhododendrons and camelias. In summer, native orchids and flowers are at their best, while fuchsias and hydrangeas bloom. Then, in autumn, the beech trees, maples and golden gingkos make sure the ground has a multicoloured carpet.

The Alfred Nicholas Gardens – or, to give it the full title, the Alfred Nicholas Memorial Garden – is open every day except Christmas Day. The gardens are 50km west of Melbourne CBD. For more information, visit the Parks Victoria website.

Other things to do in the Dandenong Ranges include the Puffing Billy steam train ride.

More Victoria travel

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Drink on the rooftop at the Richmond Club Hotel in Melbourne.

How long is the drive from Ballarat to Bendigo?

Go for a drink at the Apollo Bay Hotel in Apollo Bay – a classic Great Ocean Road pub.

Watch jousting contests at Kryal Castle near Ballarat.