Parks and gardens in Melbourne
Melbourne is gifted with leafy parks and gardens. Vast and verdant, the manicured lawns and floral displays are scattered with elegant gazebos, cooling fountains and theatrical statues and structures. What’s more, they’re all within walking distance of the city and cost nothing to visit.
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The Royal Botanic Gardens is considered to be one of the most significant botanical gardens in Australia. Its wide paths curve around sweeping lawns planted with thousands of plant specimens, a fern gully sits beneath a rainforest canopy and an artificial ornamental lake supports flocks of waterfowl.
Anderson Street, Alexandra and Birdwood Avenues, South Yarra
Ph +61 3 9252 2300
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A Melbourne showpiece, Fitzroy Gardens boast historic and botanic treasures including the flower-filled conservatory, a 150-year-old avenue of magnificent elms, a miniature Tudor village and a fairy tree. You can also visit Cook's Cottage, the re-located home of Captain James Cook's parents.
Wellington Parade and Albert Street, East Melbourne
Ph +61 3 9419 4118
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For pure dramatic effect enter from Victoria Street, where a central avenue of two parallel paths is lined with magnificent, mature plane trees that lead to the Hochgurtel Fountain in front of the Royal Exhibition Building (1879), one of Australia's most important classical buildings. Established in 1857, Carlton Gardens are the foremost example of classical garden design in the country, exemplifying the Victorian ideals of order, grace and symmetry.
Victoria, Carlton and Nicholson Streets, Carlton
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It may be hard to imagine but this finely landscaped hill was once cattle paddocks. Today, a series of royal-red asphalt paths lead to a memorial of Queen Victoria, after whom the state was named. The gardens are peppered with bronze statues and one of its most famous features is the floral clock on St Kilda Road.
St Kilda Road, Melbourne
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Once a tumbledown collection of wooden huts filled with immigrants lured to Victoria in search of gold, The Kings Domain was landscaped during the Great Depression as part of a government project to bolster morale. These informal parklands house two moving memorials - The Pioneer Women's Memorial Garden, a serene and secluded sunken garden in the northeast, and the Shrine of Remembrance, honouring Australia's war dead.
St Kilda Road, Melbourne
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Part of the Domain Parklands, Alexandra Gardens are extensive gardens bordering the Yarra River. Featuring ornamental gardens with palms and shrub borders, bicycle hire, boathouses and barbecues.
St Kilda Road and Alexandra Avenue, Melbourne
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Flagstaff Gardens forms one of Melbourne's most historic sites dating back to the early settlement of Melbourne. These days it is most highly used garden in Melbourne (per square metre) and a popular lunch time oasis for workers in the city's northwest.
Latrobe, King and William Streets, Melbourne
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Opened in January 2002, Birrarung Marr is Melbourne's first new, major parkland in more than 100 years. Large sculptured terraces planted with native flora and 200 new trees form a theatre-like space designed to accommodate large crowds for festivals and performances.
Batman Avenue, Melbourne
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Explore this CBD oasis on the extensive system of pathways that meander through the park and connect directly to the Fitzroy Gardens, or from the large embankment that runs the length of the gardens and offers extensive views.
Spring Street, Treasury Place and Lansdowne Street, East Melbourne
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One of Victoria's most precious areas of native bushland. Explore 363 hectares of untouched heathlands, wetlands and woodlands, and see bird and animal life, including several rare and endangered species.
1000 Ballarto Road, Cranbourne
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