Bonsai Nurseries Melbourne: Where to Buy Bonsai Trees (2026)
Melbourne is one of the best places in Australia to grow classic bonsai. Its cool winters and distinct seasons suit Japanese maples, pines, junipers, elms and azaleas, which colour and rest just as they do in Japan. The city also has several large specialist nurseries, nationally known teachers and some of the country’s most active bonsai clubs.
This guide compares Melbourne’s bonsai nurseries and teachers. It covers where they are, when you can visit, what beginner trees they stock, whether they run classes or offer repotting, how you can collect or receive your tree, and which kind of buyer each one suits best.
Before you visit: Many bonsai nurseries are small, owner-run businesses. Hours change, so phone before you make the drive.
Melbourne Bonsai Nurseries at a Glance
| Nursery | Area | Visiting | Classes | Services | Delivery | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bonsai Art Nursery | Heatherton (south-east) | Phone to confirm hours | Workshops, book online | Repotting, wiring, styling | Ask | Satsuki azaleas and a free display garden |
| Bonsai Sensation | Narre Warren South (south-east) | Listed: weekdays 9am–5pm; weekends 10am–3pm | Video tutorials | Very large range, tools, pots | Ask | The biggest range to browse |
| Bonsai Farm | Hawthorn (inner east) | Fri–Sun, 11am–3pm | Not advertised | Advice | Not advertised | Inner-city buyers |
| Chojo | Olinda (Dandenong Ranges) | Contact before visiting | Introduction and intermediate courses | Pruning, styling, repotting | Online shop | Structured courses and tree care |
| Orient Bonsai Nursery | Thomastown (north) | Contact before visiting | Beginner and style classes | Classes | Not advertised | Small-group hands-on classes |
| Hardware stores and garden centres | Citywide | Normal retail hours | No | Mixed starter bonsai | Store-dependent | Low-cost starter material |
Delivery and click-and-collect details change. Confirm with the nursery when you order.
Melbourne Bonsai Nurseries Compared
Bonsai Art Nursery, Heatherton
Established in 1983 on a five-acre site near Moorabbin Airport, and run by Trevor McComb, who has grown and sold bonsai for more than 30 years.
- Location: 236 Old Dandenong Road, Heatherton, VIC 3202
- Visiting: Phone to confirm current opening hours.
- Trees: A balanced range of starter, intermediate and advanced trees, including shimpaku juniper, pines, cypress and what the nursery describes as the biggest range of Satsuki azaleas. A walk-through display of established bonsai is free to browse.
- Workshops and services: Workshops, bookable through the website, plus repotting, wiring and styling services, with advice on ongoing care.
- Collection and delivery: Collect from the nursery; ask about delivery.
- Best for: Azalea lovers, buyers who want to see mature bonsai before choosing, and owners who need a tree repotted or styled.
- Contact: (03) 9551 0725 · bonsaiart.com.au
Bonsai Sensation, Narre Warren South
One of Melbourne’s largest bonsai nurseries, listing more than 30,000 trees across many species and sizes.
- Location: 253 Centre Road, Narre Warren South, VIC 3805
- Visiting: Listed as open weekdays 9am–5pm and weekends 10am–3pm.
- Trees: Starter trees in most major species, plus advanced trees already in bonsai pots. Japanese black pines are a highlight. Also stocks aluminium wire, carving tools and handmade pots.
- Learning: Video tutorials on bonsai care for beginners and experienced growers.
- Collection and delivery: Collect from the nursery; ask about delivery.
- Best for: Buyers who want the widest possible choice, and pine enthusiasts.
- Contact: bonsaisensation.com.au
Bonsai Farm, Hawthorn
An inner-east bonsai shop run by Lindsay Farr, whose World of Bonsai video episodes are on YouTube.
- Location: 67 Church Street, Hawthorn, VIC
- Visiting: Open Friday, Saturday and Sunday, 11am–3pm.
- Trees: Small starter plants to large, established specimens, including junipers, figs, maples, elms, ginkgos and pines, plus pots. Listed from $55 to $5,000.
- Services: Customers report helpful advice on pruning and repotting.
- Best for: Inner-city buyers who want a weekend visit close to the CBD.
- Contact: 03 9819 0888 · bonsaifarm.tv
Chojo, Olinda
A nursery and teaching studio in the Dandenong Ranges, beside Cloudehill gardens, with an on-site workshop.
- Location: Olinda, VIC
- Visiting: Contact before visiting.
- Trees and supplies: Online shop with bonsai, ceramics, wire, tools and advanced trees. A juniper starter kit was listed at $175.
- Classes: Introduction to Bonsai courses (from $320 in Melbourne; also run at Heronswood) and an Intermediate Fundamentals course ($250).
- Services: Pruning, wire styling and repotting for single trees or whole collections, with a cost and time estimate before work starts.
- Best for: Beginners who want a structured, multi-part course, and owners who want professional care.
- Contact: chojo.com.au
Orient Bonsai Nursery, Thomastown
A northern-suburbs nursery known for its small-group classes.
- Location: 84 Dalton Road, Thomastown, VIC 3074
- Visiting: Contact before visiting.
- Classes: A beginner course in informal upright style on Saturdays, 2pm–4pm, with forest style, cascade style and advanced workshops for those who’ve completed it. Classes are limited to six people. Apply to enrol.
- Best for: Learners who want close, hands-on teaching in a small group.
- Contact: orientbonsai.com.au · (03) 9282 3967
Hardware stores and garden centres
Bunnings and many garden centres sell small starter bonsai and tubestock. Some larger garden centres also run dedicated bonsai sections.
- Trees: Mixed starter plants, often including ficus, Chinese elm, juniper, maple, pine and serissa. The species varies, so check the label.
- Best for: Low-cost material to practise on.
- Watch for: Junipers and pines sold as indoor plants (they’re outdoor trees), pots without drainage holes, and soil that’s too dense for bonsai.
Beginner-Friendly Trees and Indicative Prices
The best beginner trees for Melbourne
| Tree | Why it suits Melbourne | Indoors or outdoors |
|---|---|---|
| Chinese elm | Tough, cold-hardy and quick to respond to pruning | Outdoors |
| Trident maple | Hardy, colours beautifully in autumn, develops thick trunks | Outdoors, with afternoon shade in hot spells |
| Japanese maple | Loves Melbourne’s cool winters; spectacular autumn colour | Outdoors, sheltered from hot northerly winds |
| Juniper | Hardy, frost-tolerant and long-lived | Outdoors only |
| Ficus | Forgiving and fast-growing, but frost-tender | A bright indoor spot, or outdoors in summer only |
Melbourne’s frosts and cold snaps can damage tropical species. Bring figs inside or under shelter from late autumn to spring. Protect maples from hot, dry northerly winds in summer.
Indicative prices
| What you’re buying | Indicative price |
|---|---|
| Starter tubestock (50 mm), hardware store | about $10 |
| Small starter bonsai in a 150 mm ceramic pot, hardware store | about $38 |
| Starter to established bonsai, Bonsai Farm | $55 to $5,000 (listed range) |
| Juniper bonsai starter kit, Chojo | $175 |
| Introduction to bonsai course, Chojo | from $320 |
| Intermediate course, Chojo | $250 |
| Pre-bonsai at other specialist nurseries | [confirm with nurseries] |
Hardware-store prices are from Bunnings online listings, October 2026. Nursery and course prices are from their websites. Prices change, so check before you buy.
Value tip: Ask whether the price includes the pot and bonsai soil. A tree in a plastic nursery pot is usually cheaper, and lets you choose the display pot yourself.
Advice, Classes and Repotting Help
Melbourne bonsai clubs
Melbourne has several active bonsai clubs, and many growers belong to more than one.
| Club | Meets at or based in | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Bonsai Society of Victoria | Melbourne’s east | Runs a novice program for beginners. Annual exhibition and sale at Box Hill Town Hall in October |
| Waverley Bonsai Group | Mount Waverley Community Centre, 47 Miller Crescent | Annual exhibition in August ($5 entry; under-12s free) |
| Mornington Peninsula Bonsai Society | Moorooduc Hall, corner of Bentons and Derrill Roads, Moorooduc | Peninsula growers |
| Victorian Native Bonsai Club | Melbourne | Specialises in Australian natives; offers remote membership with recorded presentations |
- Bonsai Society of Victoria: its novice program sold out in 2025, so book early. Check trybooking.com for current events.
- Victorian Native Bonsai Club: a good choice if you’re interested in growing Australian natives as bonsai.
Check each club’s website or Facebook page for current meeting days.
Classes and courses
| Provider | Format |
|---|---|
| Chojo (Olinda and Heronswood) | Introduction and intermediate courses |
| Orient Bonsai Nursery (Thomastown) | Saturday beginner and style classes, six people per class |
| Bonsai Art Nursery (Heatherton) | Workshops, bookable online |
| Bonsai Society of Victoria | Novice program for members |
Paid repotting, styling and care
- Bonsai Art Nursery: repotting, wiring and styling.
- Chojo: pruning, styling and repotting, with an estimate before work starts.
Repot most species in late winter to early spring (about August to October). Book care services ahead in those months.
Where to see bonsai in Melbourne
- Bonsai Art Nursery’s display garden in Heatherton, free to browse.
- Club exhibitions: the Waverley Bonsai Group’s August exhibition and the Bonsai Society of Victoria’s October exhibition and sale.
Which Melbourne Bonsai Nursery Suits You?
| If you are… | Try |
|---|---|
| A complete beginner wanting a structured course | Chojo, Orient Bonsai Nursery, or the Bonsai Society of Victoria novice program |
| Wanting the biggest range to choose from | Bonsai Sensation, Narre Warren South |
| Keen on azaleas, or wanting to see mature bonsai first | Bonsai Art Nursery, Heatherton |
| In the inner city and free on weekends | Bonsai Farm, Hawthorn |
| Needing a tree repotted, styled or cared for | Bonsai Art Nursery or Chojo |
| Interested in Australian natives | Victorian Native Bonsai Club |
| Shopping online | Chojo’s online shop |
| On a tight budget and keen to experiment | Hardware-store starter stock, plus free advice from a club |
Tips for Buying Bonsai in Melbourne
- Ask for the botanical name. It tells you whether the tree lives indoors or outdoors and how to care for it.
- Play to Melbourne’s strengths. Maples, elms, pines and junipers thrive outdoors here. Tropical figs need winter protection.
- Check the tree’s health. Look for firm, green foliage, new growth, no pests under the leaves, and roots that are firm rather than mushy. Deciduous trees bought in winter will be bare, so check that buds are plump.
- Check the pot drains. Every bonsai pot needs drainage holes.
- Plan the trip home. Keep the tree out of a hot car boot in summer, and water it when you get home.
- Buying interstate: Potted plants coming from South East Queensland’s fire ant biosecurity zones must meet Victoria’s entry requirements, so check with the seller before ordering.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where can I buy a bonsai tree in Melbourne?
Specialist nurseries include Bonsai Art Nursery in Heatherton, Bonsai Sensation in Narre Warren South, Bonsai Farm in Hawthorn, Chojo in Olinda and Orient Bonsai Nursery in Thomastown. Hardware stores and garden centres also sell starter bonsai.
What’s the best bonsai for a beginner in Melbourne?
A Chinese elm or trident maple. Both are hardy, cold-tolerant and quick to respond to pruning outdoors. For indoors, choose a ficus and keep it near a bright window.
Are there bonsai classes in Melbourne?
Yes. Chojo runs introduction and intermediate courses, Orient Bonsai Nursery runs small-group Saturday classes, and Bonsai Art Nursery holds workshops. The Bonsai Society of Victoria also runs a novice program.
Can I get my bonsai repotted in Melbourne?
Yes. Bonsai Art Nursery and Chojo both offer repotting and styling. Clubs also hold workshops where members repot their own trees with help.
Where can I see bonsai in Melbourne?
Bonsai Art Nursery’s display garden in Heatherton is free to browse. The Waverley Bonsai Group and Bonsai Society of Victoria each hold an annual exhibition.
Disclosure: The Bonsai Master has no paid relationships with any business in this guide. Nurseries are included because they suit Melbourne bonsai buyers, not because they pay us. If we add affiliate links or paid partnerships, we’ll label them clearly on this page. Last updated: [October 2026].