Melbourne Parks and Gardens

(Melbourne, Victoria - VIC, Australia)



Melbourne Parks and GardensMelbourne must be one of the greenest cities on the planet, with a huge number of parks and gardens being spread around both the city centre and the surrounding suburbs.

Centrally located Fitzroy Park comes complete with a large resident population of common brush-tail possums. Just a short distance to the south is the Olympic Park and its sports arenas. Visited by roughly one million people every year, the Melbourne Royal Botanic Gardens reside a little further south, next to the Yarra River, covering just under 100 acres / 40 hectares and boasting in excess of 10,000 plant species.


Melbourne Parks and Gardens

Melbourne Royal Botanic Gardens

Address: Birdswood Avenue, South Yarra, Melbourne, Victoria (VIC), 3141, Australia
Tel: +61 (0)3 9252 2300
The historic Melbourne Royal Botanic Gardens date back to the middle of the 19th century and lie within the South Yarra district, next to the Yarra River. These are without doubt the finest and most splendid botanic gardens in Victoria and include a large landscaped lake, mature trees and shrubs, seating areas, tearooms, a restaurant, a visitors' centre and walking trails. There is also a surprising amount of wildlife living here, such as waterfowl, cockatoos, rabbits, possums and fruit bats. The Royal Botanic Gardens host a number of popular seasonal events each year, such as Moonlight Cinema and various outdoor theatrical performances.
Open hours: daily, November to March - 07:30 to 20:30, April to October - 07:30 to 17:30
Admission: free

Alfred Nicholas Memorial Gardens

Address: Sherbrooke Road, Sherbrooke, Melbourne, Victoria (VIC), Australia
Located within the Sherbrooke district, on the north-eastern side of Melbourne, the Alfred Nicholas Memorial Gardens were originally the grounds of the famous Burnham Beeches, the grand mansion of Alfred Nicholas. Recently restored by Parks Victoria, there are now dedicated landscaped planting areas, exotic trees and shaded seating.
Open hours: daily - 24 hours
Admission: free

Albert Park Lake

Address: Lakeside Drive, Albert Park, Melbourne, Victoria (VIC), 3206, Australia
Tel: +13 1963
Albert Park Lake is located in the Bayside area, close to the city centre, where it features a large amount of native Aussie wildlife, a boating lake, a grand historic fountain, picnic areas, barbecue facilities and many attractions for young children, including playground areas.
Open hours: daily - 24 hours
Admission: free

Alexandra Gardens

Address: Alexandra Avenue, Melbourne, Victoria (VIC), 3000, Australia
Tel: +13 2842
Alexandra Gardens lies in the heart of Melbourne city centre and is popular with both locals and tourists alike. Next to the Yarra River, this is the ideal spot to come for rowing, picnics, walking, jogging, cycling and general relaxing, providing the perfect, peaceful place to escape.
Open hours: daily - 24 hours
Admission: free

Ballam Park

Address: Cranbourne Road, Frankston, Melbourne, Victoria (VIC), 3199, Australia
Tel: +61 (0)3 9789 5529
Situated on the outskirts of Melbourne, within the Frankston area, Ballam Park is more than 150 years old and boasts established gardens and mature planting. Other popular features include picnic facilities, sports fields, walking trails, seating areas, children's playgrounds and the Ballam Homestead, a historic house full of period features.
Open hours: Park, daily - dawn to dusk
Admission: free

Birrarung Park

Address: Templestowe Road, Templestowe Lower, Melbourne, Victoria (VIC), 3107, Australia
Tel: +61 (0)3 9846 1338
Birrarung Park lies within the north-easterly suburbs of Melbourne, next to the Yarra Valley Parklands, where it is edged by the scenic River Yarra and attracts a large amount of local wildlife. Particular highlights include pathways, cycling trails, picnic areas, seats and a small lake surrounded by attractive planting, while close by, golfers may like to take advantage of either the Bulleen Driving Range or the Yarra Valley Country Club.
Open hours: daily - 08:30 to 17:00
Admission: free

Brimbank Park

Address: Keilor Park Drive, Keilor, Melbourne, Victoria (VIC), 3033, Australia
Tel: +13 1963
Brimbank Park can be found in the north-westerly suburb of Keilor. Popular with all the family, Brimbank features seating areas, picnic facilities, an impressive visitors' centre and a large maze, which is open at the weekends. The neighbouring Maribyrnong River provides an oasis for local wildlife, as does the nearby Keilor Park Recreation Reserve and the reserves of Arcade Way, JH Allen and Overland.
Open hours: daily - 08:30 to 20:00
Admission: free

Carlton Gardens

Address: Nicholson Street, Carlton, Melbourne, Victoria (VIC), 3053, Australia
Tel: +61 (0)3 9270 5000
Founded in the late 19th century, the Carlton Gardens circle two impressive buildings, the Melbourne Museum and the Royal Exhibitions Building, which was built for the Great Exhibition of 1880. Popular for walking, cycling, picnics and relaxing, Carlton Gardens also has a number of attractions for children.
Open hours: daily - 24 hours
Admission: free



Emerald Lake Park

Address: Emerald Lake Road, Emerald, Melbourne, Victoria (VIC), 3782, Australia
Tel: +61 (0)3 5968 4667
The stunning Emerald Lake Park is situated in the easterly Emerald suburb, close to Wright Forest, and incorporates two lakes - those of Nobelious and Treganowan. With a small swimming pool, picnic areas, boating, trout fishing, seats, pathways, attractive flower beds and mature trees, the park also features free electric BBQ facilities and a 15-km / 9-mile network of bushwalking trails.
Open hours: daily, March to April, November to December - 09:00 to 18:00, May to October - 09:00 to 16:30, January to February - 09:00 to 20:00
Admission: charge

Melbourne Parks and Gardens

Fitzroy Gardens

Address: Wellington Parade, Melbourne, Victoria (VIC), 3002, Australia
Fitzroy Gardens, in the centre of Melbourne, provides a pleasant recreational spot next to St. Patrick's Cathedral. Probably the main attraction here is the historic cottage of Captain Cook, which was shipped from Yorkshire, England in 1934 and carefully rebuilt stone by stone. Other attractions include lush planting, seating areas and a detailed model village. Fitzroy is also rich in wildlife, attracting many small animals and birds from the surrounding area.
Open hours: daily - 24 hours
Admission: free

Flagstaff Gardens

Address: Latrobe Street, Melbourne, Victoria (VIC), 3000, Australia
Flagstaff Gardens, in the city centre, provides the perfect place to relax amidst the bustle of the city and nearby Queen Victoria Market. These gardens are particularly popular with locals, being full of large trees, shrubs, plants and seasonal flowers. Flagstaff also features a historic walking trail, where you can discover ancient Aboriginal remains. Of note, the City of Melbourne Bowls Club resides here.
Open hours: daily - 24 hours
Admission: free

Grampians National Park

Address: Glenelg Highway, Halls Gap, Victoria (VIC), 3381, Australia
Tel: +61 (0)3 5356 4381
Within easy reach of central Melbourne, the vast Grampians National Park is rich in native Australian wildlife. With scenic views, a visitors' centre, picnic areas, nature trails, mountains and much more besides, the Grampians National Park makes for a particularly popular excursion, being located to the far west and just past the town of Ararat.
Open hours: daily - 09:00 to 17:00
Admission: free

Jawbone Flora and Fauna Reserve

Address: Bayview Street, Williamstown, Melbourne, Victoria (VIC), 3016, Australia
The important Jawbone Flora and Fauna Reserve is overflowing with native Australian wildlife, with many birds congregating in the marshy areas of the park. The reserve has something for everyone, including walking trails and breathtaking views.
Open hours: daily - dawn to dusk
Admission: free

Jells Park

Address: Jells Road, Wheelers Hill, Melbourne, Victoria (VIC), 3150, Australia
Tel: +13 1963
Jells Park, on the eastern side of Melbourne, is the perfect city park, providing a well-used large and green outdoor space. Full of trees, open areas of grassland, seating areas, picnic facilities, a small pond and trails suitable for walking, jogging, cycling and rollerblading, Jells is popular for sports, sunbathing and relaxing. Neighbouring attractions include the Chesterfield Farm and the Waverley Municipal Golf Course, while the Wheelers Hill Shopping Centre is just a short drive away.
Open hours: summer, daily - 10:00 to 21:00, winter, Monday to Friday - 10:00 to 21:00, Saturday and Sunday - 10:00 to 17:00
Admission: free

Kinglake National Park

Address: Kinglake-Healesville Road, Kinglake, Victoria (VIC), 3763, Australia
Tel: +61 (0)3 5786 5351
Kinglake National Park lies on the north-easterly outskirts of Melbourne, being roughly 50 km / 31 miles away, where it offers some truly splendid views of the distant cityscape. This important parkland is also rich in native wildlife and animals, with countless kangaroos, wallabies and colourful birds calling this spot their home.
Open hours: daily - 24 hours
Admission: free

National Rhododendron Gardens

Address: Georgian Road, Melbourne, Victoria (VIC), Australia
The breathtaking National Rhododendron Gardens are located next to the Olinda State Forest, in north-east Melbourne. With large cherry trees, maples, more than 15,000 specimens of rhododendrons and azaleas, seating areas and interesting woodland pathways, the Rhododendron Gardens regularly host a number of festivals throughout the year.
Open hours: daily - 10:00 to 17:00
Admission: charge

Newport Lakes Parkland

Address: Margaret Street, Newport, Melbourne, Victoria (VIC), 3015, Australia
Tel: +61 (0)3 9932 1000
Newport Lakes Parkland can be found on the Inner West district of Melbourne, close to the city centre. With excellent picnic facilities, a large lake, an outdoor amphitheatre, seasonal theatrical performances and concerts, a children's playground and many interesting features, Newport Lakes is full of indigenous wildlife, including many different, colourful birds.
Open hours: daily - 08:00 to dusk
Admission: free

Queens Lake Park

Address: Kellaway Avenue, Essendon, Melbourne, Victoria (VIC), 3040, Australia
Queens Lake is a small and charming park, to the west of central Melbourne. Highlights include a pond, water fowl, eye-catching flower borders, mature trees, tearooms and many attractions for children, such as a maze and playground areas. Close by, the Moonee Valley Racecourse provides additional interest for visitors.
Open hours: daily - dawn to dusk
Admission: free

Wattle Park

Address: Riversdale Roads, Surrey Hills, Melbourne, Victoria (VIC), 3127, Australia
Tel: +13 1963
Wattle Park, in the Inner East area, is home to a large amount of sports facilities, such as tennis courts, a golf course, open expanses of grassland and a playground area for children. Close by you will find the Cooper Reserve, the Gardiners Creek Reserve, the Bennettswood Reserve, Deakin University and the Box Hill Golf Club.
Open hours: daily - dawn to dusk
Admission: free

William Ricketts Sanctuary

Address: Mount Dandenong Tourist Road, Melbourne, Victoria (VIC), Australia
Sited in north-east Melbourne, highlights at the William Ricketts Sanctuary include a number of impressive sculptures by famous local artist William Ricketts. Visitors will also enjoy checking out the fern gardens, waterfalls, seating areas, pathways and seasonal open-air concerts.
Open hours: daily - dawn to dusk
Admission: free

Yarra Park

Address: Brunton Avenue, Yarra, Melbourne, Victoria (VIC), Australia
Yarra Park, to the south-east of the city centre, is a large expanse of parkland. Facilities include the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG), the National Tennis Centre, Olympic Park, the new Multi-Purpose Sports Venue and a number of popular sports fields, pitches and ovals.
Open hours: daily - 24 hours
Admission: free