Pirianda Gardens

Pirianda Gardens is an 11-hectare woodland garden in Olinda, where rare trees, terraced lawns and stone walls descend towards a fern gully. Developed largely by Harvey and Gillian Ansell, it rewards visitors who enjoy plants and a slower garden walk. The slopes are an important part of planning a visit: walking down into the garden means an uphill return, and many paths are steep or uneven.

Rare trees and the garden landscape

Pirianda combines exotic plant collections with native blackwoods, mountain ash and tree ferns. The collection includes 28 maple species and 13 birches, alongside magnolias and rhododendrons that provide much of the seasonal interest, while the stone terraces show how the garden was shaped around its hillside. The Ansells’ 1962 modernist house can be seen along the way, adding context to the garden’s origins as a private property. The family bought the site in 1959 and donated the garden to the State in 1977; its terraces and plant collection make that personal horticultural history visible.

The Chinese handkerchief trees are a particular highlight when their white bracts appear in spring, usually around November. Do not plan a visit on the assumption that every specimen will be flowering at once; the garden is best appreciated as a collection that changes over the season. Look at the different leaf forms, bark and planting combinations as well as the flowers.

Choosing your walk and picnic stop

Decide how far down you want to go before committing to the lower paths. A short visit to the upper garden can suit someone who wants to see the trees without exploring every terrace. If you continue towards the fern gully, leave enough energy and time for the climb back. Carry your picnic only as far as you are comfortable bringing it back uphill.

Grassy clearings provide places to pause, and the shaded lower areas can feel cooler than the exposed parts of the garden. Allow roughly an hour for an unhurried visit, or longer if you are keen on plants and photography. Choose the paths that suit your pace; you do not need to complete a prescribed circuit.

When to visit Pirianda

Autumn foliage and spring flowers

Autumn is a strong choice for maples and other deciduous trees, with colour often at its best from mid-April to early May. Weather affects both the timing and intensity, so allow some flexibility if foliage is the purpose of your trip. Spring brings a succession of flowers rather than a single peak shared by the whole garden.

Summer shade and winter detail

Summer suits a slower walk beneath the canopy, while winter shifts attention towards bark, garden structure and cool-season flowers. Bring a layer even when leaving Melbourne in warm weather. For photographs, gentler morning or late-afternoon light can be easier to work with than strong sun; keep enough daylight for your return to the car.

Getting there, parking and accessibility

The entrance is at 5-9 Hacketts Road, Olinda. Approach Hacketts Road from Olinda-Monbulk Road. Parks Victoria specifically advises against GPS routes via Perrins Creek Road, where the access is extremely steep and suitable only for four-wheel-drive vehicles.

Parking is limited, particularly on autumn and spring weekends, and there is no bus or coach parking on site. If the parking area is full, choose another stop or return at a quieter time rather than blocking access. A weekday visit can give you more flexibility to explore without organising your day around the busiest period.

The garden has steep sealed and unsealed paths and stone steps. These routes are unsuitable for wheelchair users and people with limited mobility. Do not assume a garden path is easy simply because part of it is sealed. Anyone uncertain about the terrain should discuss their requirements with Parks Victoria before travelling.

Entry, daylight hours and garden care

Entry is free, and the garden is open during daylight hours, subject to closures for Extreme Fire Danger or severe weather. Check current conditions before travelling, follow any closure signs and plan to leave while you can still see the paths clearly.

Dogs are welcome on a leash. Take all rubbish home, keep to paths and leave plants and flowers for others to enjoy. Bring water and suitable shoes, especially after rain when surfaces may be slippery. For a wedding ceremony or wedding photography, enquire about the required permit rather than assuming ordinary visitor access covers a private event.

Pirianda Gardens FAQs

Is entry free and when can I visit?
General entry is free during daylight hours, subject to Extreme Fire Danger and severe-weather closures. Check current conditions before leaving and allow enough light and energy for the uphill return from the lower terraces.

Which road should I use to reach the garden?
Approach 5-9 Hacketts Road from Olinda-Monbulk Road. Parks Victoria advises against GPS directions through Perrins Creek Road because that approach is extremely steep, so check the planned route rather than following navigation without reviewing it.

What is distinctive about Pirianda?
Rare maples and birches, stone terraces and a fern gully give it the character of a woodland collection shaped around a hillside. Walk slowly enough to compare leaves, bark and planting combinations, with the Ansells' former house adding context to its private-garden origins.

When should I come for colour or handkerchief trees?
Mid-April to early May is a useful guide for autumn foliage, while the Chinese handkerchief trees generally show their white bracts around November. Weather changes the display, so use those periods as a guide rather than expecting every tree to peak together.

Is it an easy or wheelchair-friendly walk?
Parks Victoria advises that long steep paths, uneven surfaces and stone steps are unsuitable for wheelchair users and people with limited mobility. A shorter upper-garden visit still needs individual assessment; sealed sections do not remove the hillside gradient.

Can I picnic or bring a dog?
Lawns provide picnic opportunities and dogs are permitted on leash. Carry water and food, choose a stop before taking supplies far downhill, and take all rubbish and dog waste home so the return remains manageable and the garden stays clean.

Is there parking for a coach or a busy weekend visit?
Parking is limited and there is no bus or coach parking on site. Consider a quieter weekday, and choose another stop if the parking area is full rather than obstructing access on the narrow approach.