If you've ever spent a sun-soaked spring afternoon sprawled on the lush lawns, or perhaps caught a flick at Moonlight Cinema or taken magical evening stroll through the colourful Lightscape – you'd know that Melbourne's Royal Botanic Gardens is very special. And now, our city's beloved landmark is getting its flowers, as a recent analysis has just ranked all of the best gardens to visit across the globe, and Royal Botanic Gardens Victoria was named as as the fourth best in the world. That's pretty bloomin' great.
Travel insurance provider InsureandGo, analysed data from around the world to compile a list of gardens that flora-fanatics should visit. Taking into account the size of gardens, range of plant species, volume of related Google searches, traveller ratings and Instagram hashtags, the study ranked the world’s most visit-worthy gardens. Melbourne's very own made the top five, with 96.9 per cent of traveller reviews sitting at four stars or higher.
The study also used the garden-related data to determine which countries should be on the bucket list of garden lovers, and with its abundance of beautifully curated green spaces (Sydney's Royal Botanic Garden came in at number 12 and the Adelaide Botanic Garden came in at number 15), Australia ranked as the sixth best country overall for flower fans. According to the study, the garden most worthy of a place on our bucket lists is Boyce Thompson Arboretum in Arizona, and the UK ranked as the best country overall for garden enthusiasts.
Never been to Royal Botanic Gardens Victoria? Take this as your sign to visit – you can witness it in its illuminated splendour at Lightscape until early August, or for a daytime outing, perhaps head to The Terrace for a delicious brekky before exploring the surrounding botanic delights.
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