Parks and Gardens in Melbourne
Parks and Gardens in Melbourne
A place to Chillout and Relax
Parks and Gardens in MelbourneMelbourne internationally acclaimed collection of nearly 480 hectares of parks and gardens and most within easy walking distance of the central business district. Visitors coming to Melbourne will be surprised at the vast areas of green surrounding the Central Business District as well as Melbourne's street scape, as its boulevards and many of its streets are tree lined. Any visit to Melbourne that does not take in some of the parks is ignoring part of the lifestyle of Melbourne. Whether it be a stroll admiring the classic 19th century heritage features, a part Australia’s history in Cooks' Cottage at Fitzroy Gardens , the amazing street art like 39 electronic bells at Birrarung Marr, listening to music at the Sidney Myer Music Bowl at Kings Domain, be amazed at the Royal Exhibition Building in the Carlton Gardens or simply relax under a shady tree.Royal Botanic GardensMelbourne's Royal Botanic Gardens are recognised as one of the finest examples of landscape gardens. A visit to these gardens is recommended, even if you don't normally go out of your way to look at gardens. Laid out over 38 picturesque hectares of land close to the Yarra River (Such is the scale of the gardens that it is easy to get lost within its grounds), the Gardens are home to over 51,000 individual plants from around the world & are abundant with native bird & animal life. Facilities include lakeside tearooms & two garden specialty shops. An oasis of tranquillity and beauty, with delightful walking paths making it one of the most glorious places to spend a leisurely morning or afternoon and only a short distance from Melbourne's CBD. The gardens are free and open every day of the year, but times change with the seasons. Fitzroy GardensThe Fitzroy Gardens, situated on the eastern perimeter of the CBD. is a fine example of a grand city garden. Laid out across 26 hectares, with its formal garden beds and collection of trees, strategic laid out walking paths, it is in these gardens you will find the cottage that was once the home of Captain James Cook. Also situated within the gardens is a The Conservatory, built in 1930, and has flower displays throughout the year the "Fairies' Tree", a model Tudor Village, an old bandstand rotunda and the "Temple of the Winds" Rotunda. The Pavillion Restaurant and kiosk used to be formal tearooms now can provide you with a place to sip and contemplate. Treasury GardensThe Treasury Gardens are situated at the eastern end of the CBD, near Victoria’s Parliament House and the old Treasury buildings, They create a landscaped setting for Parliament House and comprise large areas of lawn and walking paths lined with large trees and are renowned for their Moreton Bay figs. There is an ornamental pond which is surrounded by a Japanese garden. Throughout the gardens a number of memorials can be found. Kings DomainKing's Domain comprises 17 hectares which is characterised by sweeping lawns and mature trees both Australian and exotic . Situated within the parklands is Government House, the home of Victoria's Governor and Sidney Myer Music Bowl, an amphitheatre that is the venue for musical events. In the autumn and winter months, it has also been converted into a public ice-skating rink. Also situated within the gardens is the Pioneer Women's Memorial Garden and the Stapley Pavilion. The Grotto, a fern gully with steps leading down to a small pool is another nice part of the gardens. Alexandra GardensThe Alexandra Gardens are set out on five hectares this stately garden is close to the banks of the Yarra River were once river wet lands. With Its boathouses used by rowing clubs The garden's main feature is a star-shaped flowerbed, the Henley Lawn, surrounded by Canary Island palms, numerous walking paths, with borders of palms and shrubs. Facilities include barbecue’s and bicycle hire. Queen Victoria GardensOpposite the Victorian Arts Centre in St klida Road are The Queen Victoria Gardens, which are set out on 4.5 hectares and is Melbourne's memorial to Queen Victoria. The gardens feature trees, roses, flowering shrubs, ponds and flower beds set in manicured lawns. There is a large emphasis on floral displays. Located within the gardens are ornamental ponds and monuments to Queen Victoria and King Edward VII. The Janet Lady Clarke Rotunda is a bandstand erected in memory of a 19th century philanthropist who worked for the welfare of women and artwork's, including The Phoenix, The Pathfinder, The Water Children, Water Nymph and The Genii. A much loved feature of the gardens is the floral clock with its flowering and bedding plants located in front of the the equestrian statue of Queen Victoria’s son Edward VIIl. | Flagstaff GardensFlagstaff Gardens are Melbourne's oldest gardens this being because on Monday November 11th 1850, Queen Victoria declared Victoria to be a separate colony and bonfire was lit on Flagstaff Hill to celebrate. The gardens are laid out on 7.17 hectares of land at the northern edge of the CBD. They comprise mature trees (including huge Morton Bay Figs) set in spacious lawns and garden beds with flowering shrubs, roses and annuals. There are monuments and sculptures set out across the gardens, wander to the memorial marking the graves of the first European settlers when the area was referred to as Burial Hill. . Flagstaff Gardens are a popular lunch-time spot on a sunny day with city workers. The Flagstaff Gardens have been classified by the National Trust of Australia (Victoria) and is listed by the Australian Heritage Commission. Royal ParkRoyal Park comprises 180 hectares of parklands two kilometres north of the central business district and is Melbourne's biggest park. Although largely the area has been managing as a native bushland park, it does co-exist sports ovals and sporting fields. Within its boundaries is Melbourne's Zoological Gardens, which are set out on 20 hectares. Trams and trains run through Royal Park. Also to be found here is a mound of rough stones built as a memorial/landmark for Burke & Wills commemorating the departure point of the ill-fated expedition in 1860. Birrarung MarrBirrarung Marr, on the north bank of the Yarra River next to Federation Square, is Melbourne's newest major park and comes from the language of the Wurundjeri people who originally inhabited this area, 'Birrarung' means 'river of mists' while ‘Marr’ refers to the side of the river. A modern park it is planted with hardy natives that need little watering and the gullies are designed to catch and filter the water from the large runoffs and return them to the aquifer. Celebrating Victoria’s indigenous culture through public artworks, such as the winding, textured pathway acknowledges the significance of the eel as a traditional food source Large rocks incised with animal drawings enclose a performance space. Other features include; on the wall outside of the Artplay building are silver touch panels featuring audio recordings of indigenous people telling their personal stories, Deborah Halpern’s Angel sculpture, Speakers’ Corner, and the Federation Bells. Walking and cycling paths run through the park. Carlton GardenThe Carlton Gardens on the edge of the Melbourne CBD is a mature 19th century European park containing the Royal Exhibition Building now World Heritage listed the Melbourne Museum and the IMAX Theatre. Originally designed for the Melbourne International Exhibition of 1880, Features include: the elaborate fountain’s, Sculptures incorporating with mature trees and flower beds,tennis Courts for hire and children's playground. These gardens also hold the Melbourne International Garden show.  Fawkner ParkFirst reserved in 1862, the 41 hectare park is named after Melbourne's co-founder John Pascoe Fawkner and remains substantially unchanged from its original design. Features include: two art-deco brick pavilions, circa 1930s, paths lined with Moreton Bay fig, elm, poplar and oak trees, a tennis club with café, playgrounds and sports grounds. Shrine of Remembrance ReserveThe Shrine Reserve features numerous memorials and civic monuments, and is a part of the Domain Parklands. Features include: the Shrine of Remembrance and the Shrine Visitor Centre; the Eternal Flame; the Lone Pine; Simpson and his donkey statue; the Garden of Appreciation; the memorial to post-WWII conflicts. |
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