Melbourne Parks & Gardens

Royal Botanic Gardens
The Royal Botanic Gardens are situated along the Yarra River and adjoin St.Kilda Road, close to the Melbourne Central Business District. There are 36 hectares of flower beds, sprawling lawns, ornamental lakes and numerous plantations. The layout of the gardens are considered to be among the best in the world and are very well cared for. The gardens are a favourite place for locals picnicking, feeding the birds in the gardens and around the lakes and just walking around and talking it all in.
Info: Melways:2G/B12

Kings Domain
Kings Domain spans 43 hectares of gardens and parkland and adjoins with the Royal Botanic Gardens along St.Kilda Road. The gardens are home to Shire of Remembrance, La Trobe's Cottage - First Government House, the Sidney Myer music Bowl an outdoor amphitheatre for the odd outdoor concert during the year.
Info: Melways:2F/K10

Queen Victoria & Alexandra Gardens
Queen Victoria & Alexander Gardens adjoins Kings Domain Gardens and follows around on the banks of the Yarra River. These Gardens feature picnic and B-B-Que facilities and bicycle tracks.
Info: Melways: 2F/H7

Flagstaff Gardens
Flagstaff Gardens are located on William Street, West Melbourne. Historically this was the City's first public gardens. There is an interesting monument found in the gardens describing how the gardens was used as a signalling station to inform our early ancestors of the arrival and departures of ships at Williamstown.
Info: Melways: 2F/A2

Treasury & Fitzroy Gardens
These gardens are located on the other side of town in East Melbourne. Here you can explore Captains Cook's cottage, who was the founder that discovered Australia. Also in the gardens you can find the 'Fairy' tree which is an ancient tree truck carved with tiny figures by the late Ola Cohn and laid out near the tree is a model Tudor village.
Info: Melways: 2F/K3

Carlton Gardens
Carlton Gardens is a large garden located at the top end of the City on Victoria Street running through to Carlton. It is divided into 2 sections - North & South. In the middle of the gardens is where you will find the grand 'Exhibition Building' which was erected for the Great Exhibition held in 1880. It was then also used for a meeting place of the Victorian Federal and State Parliaments for 27 years whilst the building of the nations capital at Canberra took place.
Info: Melways: 2B/J9

Albert Park Lake
Albert Park and Lake is set on 218 hectares, was originally a swamp which has been transformed into a wonderful activities park with a man made lake, the attractive centre piece. The lake is a 2.5-km which surrounded by parklands, sports ovals, a golf course and other recreational areas. The lake circuit is popular with strollers, runners and cyclists. There are also dozens of small yachts sailing around the lake on sunny days. It is also home to our Australian Formula One Grand Prix Circuit
Info: Melways: 2K/D6

Fawkner Park
Is located off St Kilda Road, just south-east of the City. This is a popular park where families and friends gather Sundays or social sports, playing ovals and lawns. Located here is also the Fawkner Park Tennis Club.
Info: Melways: 2L/C6

Jells Park
Jells Park in Wheelers Hill is one of Melbourne's most popular parks, which attracts more than a million visitors a year. Set on 127 hectares of open areas with barbeque facilities and tracks for walking, jogging, roller blading & bike riding. Within the Jells park you will also find an 11 hectare lake where you can bird watch waterbirds feeding and nesting.
Info: Melways: 71/K7

Yarra Bend Park
Yarra bend park was historically an important Aboriginal meeting site. This park is a large scattered nature reserve located inner city on the Yarra River. It is also a multipurpose recreation area that has 2 golf courses - the Yarra Bend Golf course which is regarded as the State's best public golf course and the Studley Park Golf course which is a nine-hole round. Also on the banks of the river you will find Studley Park boathouse.
Info: Melways: 2D/G32

Werribee Park
Werribee Park is located just outside of Werribee and is a large estate with a magnificent Italianate mansion with sixty rooms built in the 1870's. The park consists of wonderful extensive formal gardens with a restaurant and kiosk.
Info: Melways: 2001/B2

The National Rhododendron Gardens
103 acres of spectacular blooms all year round including 15,000rhododendrons, 12,000 azaleas, 3000 camellias, 200 hydrangeas and 250,000 daffodils (during September). The Garden Explorer, a mini train for an informative tour around the gardens operates everyday throughout Spring (check gardens or other times) Charges apply.
Info:The Georgian Road, OLINDA

William Ricketts Sanctuary
Nestled in the side of Mt Dandenong, the five-acre sanctuary features the kiln fired clay Aboriginal sculptures by William Ricketts, set amidst rocks, meandering paths and tree ferns.
Info: Mount Dandenong Tourist Road, MOUNT DANDENONG

Ashcombe Maze and Water Gardens
Get lost in and be found with Australia's largest and oldest hedge maze located within 25 acres of stunning botanic gardens and meandering water features.
Info: 11-13 Red Hill Road, SHOREHAM