Discover Kalorama through a range of interests: views from Kalorama Lookout, native plants at Karwarra Australian Native Botanic Garden, and trails through Kalorama Park. For planning, it helps to choose a focus early: do you want the landscape to take centre stage, are you interested in the design of gardens with native plants, or would you like to go for a walk outdoors? This way, you can consider the places according to your interests without turning them into a fixed tour route.

Views and time outdoors

From Kalorama Lookout, you can enjoy views of Silvan Reservoir, the south-eastern side of the Dandenong Ranges and the surrounding Yarra Valley. The reservoir, mountain slopes and valley are all part of the view from the same lookout. If you choose Kalorama for its landscape, this gives you a clear focus without needing to combine several activities.

The 22-hectare Kalorama Park is located on the eastern slopes of the Dandenongs. The park has picnic facilities, free gas barbecues and walking trails through open areas and mountain ash forest. You can therefore focus your visit on a break outdoors or a walk; each offers a different focus.

Short walking trails start at each of the three car parks and pass through native forest, historic orchards and exotic plantings. The trails offer several landscapes to enjoy on a walk, and the three car parks provide different starting points. Check the park conditions before your visit.

A garden of native plants

Karwarra Australian Native Botanic Garden was established in 1965. It is a public garden that uses only native plants. Covering two hectares, it features more than 1,400 different native plant species. Visitors can see how these plants can be used effectively in a designed garden. Karwarra thus brings together botanical diversity and a practical look at how plants can be used in a garden setting.

The garden includes a well-stocked plant nursery that sells Australian native plants to the public. If you are interested in practical ways of working with native plants, you can look beyond the garden design and explore the nursery’s offerings too. Karwarra also has a community room.

A paved concrete path runs alongside the gravel paths. It provides access throughout the garden for wheelchair users and people with walking aids. Check the path conditions before your visit.

More things to do

Kalorama Memorial Reserve has a playground and a skate park. Alongside the lookout, garden and walking trails, these offer further specific activities to consider when choosing the focus of your stay.

The scenic Kalorama Park Picnic Ground is next to Kalorama Lookout and is suited to a day trip with family and friends. It is another option for planning an outing around the lookout.

If Kalorama fits your travel plans, you can then search specifically for hotels in Kalorama.

Explore more destinations: Braybrook, Highett, Healesville, Brighton, Sassafras, Fawkner, Box Hill, Carnegie

For the broader travel overview: Melbourne.