🌵 Royal Botanic Gardens Melbourne: Where Volcanoes Meet Cacti

Everyone knows Royal Botanic Gardens for its lakeside lawns and picnic spots… but did you know it hides a “desert oasis” in a volcanic crater?! 🌋 Let’s explore two secret gems in Melbourne’s southwest corner! 🌋 Guilfoyle’s Volcano: This isn’t your average hike—it’s Melbourne’s highest garden point! 🏔️ Climb spiral stairs for 360° volcano views over the city skyline. Fun fact: It’s actually a 150-year-old reservoir disguised as a moonscape! 🌕 🌵 Cactus Wonderland: Inside the crater? A surreal world of spiky cacti, agaves, and succulents. 📸 Pro Tip: Shoot from above for epic angles! 🏜️ Arid Garden: Adjacent to the volcano, this new zone = 3,000+ desert plants (400+ species)! Donated by collectors, some cacti are 80+ years old and weigh 200kg—living fossils! 🌵 📸 Instagram Hacks: Wear earth tones/white to blend with the greenery. 👗 Golden hour = desert vibes on fleek. 🌅 ✨ Practical Tips: Location: Enter via St Kilda Rd gate, walk 15 mins west. 🚶♀️ Hours: Open daily, FREE admission. 🎫 🧡 Verdict: A city escape to a “desert oasis” and “eco-planet”! 🌍 No need for a road trip—Melbourne’s volcano-cactus combo = urban nature magic. 🌵🌋 My new fave hidden gem! #MelbourneSecrets #BotanicalWonders #CactusLove 🌿