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Parks
in Melbourne
Interactive
Map of Melbourne's Parks
Kings
Domain
King's
Domain Map
 King's
Domain is part of Melbourne's Domain Parklands and they are wonderful
to spend some time in, particularly in spring or autumn.
They
cover a large area to the south-east of the CBD bounded by St Kilda
Rd, Domain Rd and then Alexandra Parade, which runs alongside the
Yarra River.
Within
its boundaries lie the Government House Reserve, the Shrine of Remembrance
Reserve and the Royal Botanic Gardens.
Much
of the parkland was originally part of the Government House grounds,
which were created in 1841, but was split off in 1934 to form the
Sidney Myer Music Bowl and Pioneer Women's Memorial Garden.
The
Shrine of Remembrance is a stunning
building completed in 1934 to mark those Australians who died during
World War I.
 It
is one of the biggest war memorials in Australia and is able to
be seen from many aspects of the city. Next to it is the recently
built entry to the Shrine's visitor centre, a zig-zag walled enclosure
with poppies and Lest We Forget written on the wall.
Other
sights within the park grounds are a statue of King George V, a
memorial to war hero Weary Dunlop and Governor La Trobe's Cottage.
The
Royal Botanic Gardens contain more than 50,000 plants are spread
out across 38 hectares of the city.
Recognised
as one of the world's great gardens, the Botanic Gardens contains
many rare and endangered species that thrive within its grounds.
It is also a place where Melbourne's fauna thrives - from eels in
the lakes, to kookaburras, rosellas and cockatoos, as well as countless
bats.
They
are open from 7.30am until sunset every day of the year and there
is no charge to walk around them.
Fitzroy
Gardens
Fitzroy
Gardens map
The
Fitzroy Gardens is another heritage site that sits on the edge of
melbourne's CBD in East Melbourne.
The
park is one of Australia's most notable landscaped gardens and feature
a model Tudor village, an ornamental lake, fountains and scupltures
and Cook's Cottage, which Captain James Cook is said to have lived
in while a child in England.
Treasury
Gardens
Treasury
Gardens map
The
Treasury Gardens is a small, but pretty park adjacent to the Fitzroy
Gardens and next to the Victorian Treasury Building and close to
the State Parliament house.
It
is a lunchtime haven for nearby office workers to get out in the
sunshine and enjoy the peaceful surroundings.
Lots
of public events and rallies are held in the gardens.
Royal
Park
Royal
Park Gardens map
Situated
three kilometres north of the Central Business District, Royal Park
covers a huge 181 hectares. Much of its size is taken up with sporting
grounds and within its borders is Melbourne's Zoo. Its expansive
grassed areas are popular with families and in summer the Astronomical
Society has talks and sets up telescopes on a grassy hill near the
park's Native Garden.
Alexandra
Gardens
Alexandra
Gardens map
The
Alexandra Gardens are across the Yarra River from the avant garde
Federation Square in Melbourne's CBD.
They
are part of the King's Domain parkland and allow visitors to stroll
along the southern bank of the Yarra.
It
is perfect for cycling and jogging and there are public barbecues
with which to enjoy family outings.
Carlton
Gardens
Carlton
Gardens map
The
Carlton Gardens is a 26-hectare parklands just to the north-west
of Melbourne's CBD. It is a lovely area in which to stroll, walk
the dog or play with the children.
The
gardens are regarded as a standout form of Victorian design with
a mixture of European and Australian trees and lovely expansive
lawns.
The
two main features of the Carlton Gardens are the fabulous Royal
Exhibition Building and the Melbourne
Museum.
The
gardens are a World Heritage Site.
Flagstaff
Gardens
Flagstaff
Gardens map
 Created
in 1862 the Flagstaff Gardens are Melbourne's oldest park. The park
is quite small, 7.1 hectares, and is situated on a hill at the north
western edge of the CBD. Near the gardens are the Queen Victoria
Market, the Royal Mint and the city loop train station named after
the gardens.
Princes
Park
Princes
Park Gardens map
Carlton's
Princes Park is a 38.6 hectare park north of the CBD. It has many
Australian Rules ovals - including the home ground of the Carlton
club - Princes Park. It is a pleasant park to wander through but
is next to the more interesting Melbourne General Cemetery, which
contains some fabulous gravestones and memorials. Princes Park is
just across the road from the University of Melbourne.
Birrarung
Marr
Birrarung
Marr map
 Birrarung
Marr is one of the newest parks in Melbourne created in 2002 connecting
the south-east of the city's CBD with the sports area containing
the MCG, Rod Laver Arena, basketball's Glasshouse and AAMI Stadium.
It
runs alongside the Yarra River and is a series of terraces designed
to make the most of city views and is a pedestrian and cyclist friendly
area.
Birrarung
Marr contains some interesting art including the 10m-high Angel,
by Deborah Halpern, and Federation Bells - 39 inverted bells that
play five-minute tunes three times a day.
NOTE:
This is by no means a comprehensive list of Melbourne's parks and
gardens. These are the most accessible to visitors staying in the
central city.
Parliament
Gardens
 Next
to the Parliament Building in Spring St is a lovely little area
known as Parliament Gardens.
It
isn't very big but has a wonderful water sculpture called the Coles
Fountain. Given to the city by the Coles retailing family, the sculpture
was created in 1981.
It was turned off in 2006 due to severe drought but has been restored
to its former glory with the use of reticulated water.
It
is a terrific piece of art.
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