Where to see autumn leaves in Melbourne and Victoria
Melbourne may have enjoyed a warm autumn, but the changing colours of Victoria's foliage are a sure sign that winter is on its way. These are the best places to enjoy a cosy stroll and admire Victoria's vibrant autumn leaves before the cold weather settles in.
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While Melbourne’s weather remains warm, there’s a crisp in the air to signal that summer is officially over.
It’s time to embrace autumn and all its charm as deciduous trees in city parks and regional towns transform into rich hues of gold and crimson with the changing of the seasons.
Here’s where you can find some of Victoria’s best autumn foliage.
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BRIGHT
This quaint alpine town 323km northeast of Melbourne is worth the journey and tops every autumn lover’s list for good reason.
With a rich concentration of trees like oaks, poplars and maples, Bright’s landscape is truly a spectacle to behold. The rust reds and bright yellows provide a stunning contrast against the deep greens of the surrounding mountains and pine plantations.
Its annual autumn festival has already begun this year, cumulating in the charming township's Gala Day on this Saturday, May 5.
A short drive to the tiny hamlet of Wandiligong will take you past the famous avenue of poplars, which transform into a magnificent gilded sight every year.
MACEDON
Closer to Melbourne CBD, Macedon’s famed avenue of honour is made up of 154 century-old oak trees — each representing a local man or woman who enlisted for service during World War I.
Every autumn, the picturesque street is transformed into a blazing archway of colour which attracts throngs of visitors.
It’s worth nothing that Victoria has the largest number of avenues of honour of any state or territory in Australia, according to the Heritage Council — other autumnal avenues can be found at Bacchus Marsh, Coburg Lake, Cranbourne, Kingston and Woodend.
While you’re there, check out the region’s magnificent private gardens which open to the public on select days.
DAYLESFORD
Further west, Daylesford is one of the best Victorian hideaways to enjoy hygge — the Danish cultural concept of cosy contentment.
Described by one TripAdvisor reviewer as the best and most beautiful time of year to visit spa country, autumn is when the trees surrounding Lake Daylesford start to put on a show.
The Wombat Hill Botanical Gardens also begin to change their colours, and visitors can enjoy a bird’s eye view of the idyllic regional town from the gardens’ observation tower.
Cap off the day’s sightseeing with a spot of high tea at Alla Wolf-Tasker’s quirky Wombat Hill House cafe.
MELBOURNE CBD
No car? No problem. You won’t have to travel out of Melbourne to discover a crunch underfoot in our CBD urban oases.
The city’s most famous autumnal view is at Carlton Gardens, where the 138-year-old Royal Exhibition Building and Hochgurtel fountain are framed by a towering avenue of plane trees.
Other city parks worth visiting this season include Fitzroy Gardens, Kings Domain, Flagstaff Gardens and, of course, the Royal Botanical Gardens.
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BALLARAT
It is said that more than half of this regional city’s street trees are deciduous, making it an arduous task for residents and council staff — but an autumnal delight for visitors.
Some of the best places to take in the changing colours include Lake Wendouree and the nearby Ballarat Botanical Gardens.
Ballarat is also known for its Avenue of Honour, which spans 22km and includes nearly 4000 trees representing the Ballarat and district locals who served in WWI — more than 500 of whom were killed.
DANDENONG RANGES
If it’s trees you want, RJ Hamer Arboretum is the place to be in the Dandenongs. More than 150 species of native and exotic trees can be found in this protected Olinda plantation, with views stretching to the Yarra Valley and beyond on a clear day.
Round the corner and hidden from public view is Cloudehill Gardens — a private estate made up of some 20 different gardens.
Further south, Sherbrooke is eleven minutes’ drive from Olinda and home to the popular Alfred Nicholas Memorial Gardens, which is part of the historic Burnham Beeches estate.
The neighbouring George Tindale Memorial Garden is also worth visiting, with autumn painting a rainbow of colours across the landscape.
WALHALLA
One of Victoria’s tiniest towns, this Gippsland village is nestled in a green valley and turns over a new leaf every autumn.
Located 185km east of Melbourne, the former mining community is a combination of gold rush-era nostalgia and small-town charm, becoming pretty as a picture when the season changes.
Finish off the trip with a uniquely Walhalla experience on its goldfields railway, which travels through Stringers Creek Gorge and across historic trestle bridges in a journey through Baw Baw National Park.
YARRA VALLEY
Take your pick of autumn foliage in the Yarra Valley as the winemaking region’s grapevines turn a shade of amber.
There are also gardens to explore in wine country — Alowyn Gardens’ wisteria archway may not be in full bloom this time of year, but transforms into a golden arbour as summer fades.
Yarra Glen’s TarraWarra Estate is set amid the ranges’ rolling hills and also has stunning gardens to explore.
YARRA VALLEY IN VIVID AUTUMN GLORY
— Eliza Sum is a Herald Sun digital producer and also co-founder of Melbourne Girls Outside. Follow on Instagram @elizasum
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