Alfred Nicholas Gardens Boathouse Dandenongs

The Alfred Nicholas Gardens Boathouse poster is dedicated to one of Victoria’s most stunning locations. I’ve been visiting the Alfred Nichols Gardens for decades. It’s a tough walk back up the steps, so if like me you spent twenty years smoking, be prepared!

I always go during Autumn to witness the incredible kaleidoscope of autumnal colours reflected in the boathouse lake and across the gardens, but then, the gardens shine at every time of the year. Nestled in Sherbrooke within Victoria’s iconic Dandenong Ranges, the gardens are a botanical and historic treasure, beloved by photographers, gardeners, nature lovers and especially me.

Alfred Nicholas Memorial Gardens History

In 1929, Alfred Nicholas, co‑creator of the popular painkiller Aspro, purchased hillside land in the Dandenongs. His dream? To build a beautiful retreat upon it. In 1933, the centerpiece of this dream, the art‑deco mansion Burnham Beeches, was completed.

Designed by Harry Norris, it reflected the elegant “streamline moderne” style and was surrounded by lavish gardens landscaped by Percival Trevaskis. Acres of exotic trees and imported species—some dating back to Nicholas’s plant hunts at Chelsea Flower Show—flourished around crafted ponds, rockeries, a cascading waterfall, and even an ornamental lake topped with a boathouse.

Gardens of Form and Function

Spanning approximately 13 hectares, nearly half the size of Melbourne’s Royal Botanic Gardens, the garden is an expansive “hill station” landscape. It blends majestic Eucalyptus trees and tall mountain ash with dreamy fern gullies, rhododendrons, hydrangeas, maples and ginkgos that blaze in autumn colours.

Terraced stone walls, stepping ponds, quaint timber bridges, rotunda, waterfall, pedestrian walkways and that iconic boathouse dot the slopes and gullies—making both day visits and tranquil moments by the lake incredibly memorable.

A Rich Historical Journey

• 1937: Alfred Nicholas passed away, leaving his family estate in the Dandenongs.
• 1941–Post-WWII: Burnham Beeches served as a wartime children’s hospital; later a private residence once more
• 1950s–1960s: Used by the Nicholas Institute for scientific research; extension wings added to the mansion
• 1965: The Nicholas Institute gifted the gardens to Sherbrooke Shire, renaming them in Alfred’s honour; stewardship shifted to the Forests Commission by 1973
• 1971–73: Not without controversy—the removal of mature mountain ash trees at the entrance and a brief lease to operate a miniature village (“Kindyville”) sparked debate
• 1981–1990s: The mansion returned to private hands, becoming a small hotel, while the gardens remained public
• Today: Managed by Parks Victoria, the gardens are free and accessible daily (except Christmas), with facilities such as toilets and parking—though visitors must carry out their own rubbish.

Seasonal Highlights & Visitor Experience

• Spring: Bursting with rhododendrons, azaleas, camellias and cherries.
• Summer: Vibrant hydrangeas, fuchsias, native ferns and orchids flourish.
• Autumn: The best time to go, in my opinion. A blaze of colour, maples, beeches and ginkgos turn fiery gold and red.
• Winter: Camellias and early rhododendrons provide subtle charm

The garden’s steep terrain unfolds in layers: from the upper formal ponds beside the gates, through sloping hydrangea-lined paths, down to the iconic lake with its boathouse and waterfall, then further into the arboretum—this layered layout ensures each visit feels like a journey through mood and season

Alfred Nicholas Memorial Gardens –  a must visit Victorian Destination

• Photogenic Scenes: The boathouse reflected in the lake amid autumn leaves makes it one of the most Instagrammed spots in the Dandenongs
• Architectural Contrast: The modernist curves of Burnham Beeches set a striking counterpoint to the roaming, irregular garden landscapes.
• Public Legacy: Nicholas’s gift ensures this oasis remains accessible for all, a living legacy of art, nature and heritage.

Visiting Tips

• Access is via Sherbrooke Rd, with parking and easy toilet access near the lake
• Paths can be steep; wear sturdy footwear. Consider starting at the top near the gates and winding down through each garden tier.
• Carry snacks and follow the “carry in, carry out” rule—no bins on site parks.vic.gov.au
• Dogs on leashes are welcome

The Alfred Nicholas Gardens Boathouse Dandenongs poster can be purchased in A4, A3, A2, A1 and the super enormous A0.

The gardens, the Dandenongs and Sherbrooke are located on Wurundjeri Country.