Cool place to enjoy a relaxing bbq with family n friends for Australia Day. The south west side has…read morea basketball court as well. Along with a running track (red surface) that follows the perimeters of the gardens. The track also has some nice rolling inclines to keep lazy runners like me honest. Am reviewing this as I sit in a shaded park bench by the way.

Beautiful place to sit and reflect a busy place or take the dog for a walk. Plenty of room for the…read morekids to play and a grate playground. Has electric BBQ are kept clean . Near meson road rand is. A cute pond with ducks in it plenty of seats and a running track with distance markings. Ps Don't feed the ducks fines apply parking on station st side'

Stumbled upon this garden as our family made our way to the Queen Victoria Market from the City…read moreCircle Tram. Flagstaff Gardens is the oldest park in Melbourne. It was established in 1862. So many beautiful flower beds as well as towering fig trees. Crossing from the City Circle Tram to the park was a challenge, but once at the park, it is a very easy walk to the Queen Victoria Market on the Northeast Corner over William Street. A nice stop while exploring Melbourne.

These gardens aren't anywhere near as impressive as some of Melbourne's other parks and gardens. In…read morefact, a part of me feels that this park is, well, somewhat boring. Apparently it is the highest natural point in the city, though that is impossible to judge based on all the buildings surrounding it. Yeah, honestly, there isn't much here, though to does provide a nice spot for lunch for those who work in the area.

This is another one of those huge parks - Australian cities do seem to have quite a few of them,…read morethough unlike Adelaide, Melbourne isn't actually surrounded by them, but they are there. This one happens to have the Zoo, and there is also a railway line and a tram route that runs through the middle of it. Like a lot of these huge parks there happens to be some sporting ovals, and a golf course, here as well. One of the great things about this park mind you are the sounds of the animals as you make your way through here. Yeah, it is delightful.

Royal Park is huuuugggge. You can wander (or ride) through the park for ages and wind up in a…read moretotally different suburb than where you started out, or even find yourself at the zoo. Unlike a lot of the large parks in the area, Royal Park has mainly native vegetation, so is a lot dryer and scrubbier than nearby Princes Park, making for a more exotic picnic experience. There's a small lake (or a large pond) and plenty of open space to play frisby or mix your jog up with other exercises. Being located so close to Melbourne's main medical precinct, Royal Park also serves as a relaxing space for people visiting friends or family in the nearby hospitals. The amenities include tennis courts, toilets and plenty of water bubblers. Royal Park can easily be accessed by any of the 50's tram routes.

It's a great place for an afternoon out especially if you are visiting around and a lovely place to…read moreexperience with kids. Viewing platforms along the Yarra River afford good views of the river and rapids. In most weather conditions, the city can be seen from the Manor House hill when looking south-west. It is a popular spot for picnics, and family gatherings on the weekend and public holidays it does get rather busy. Other recreational activities include walking, cycling, rollerblading, walking the family dog, canoeing, horse riding and bird watching.

Westerfolds park is a maze of made paths and dirt trails. you can walk or ride your way around. The…read morepark is bordered on one side by the Yarra river. There is many BBQ and seating areas, loads of car parks and play areas for the kids. Dogs are allowed on leash A great place to go and check out the native animals and amazing park surrounds

This is our favourite park. We generally frequent the playground on the eastern side of the park…read more(Pascoe Vale Rd) as it's more interesting for my son. The lake is a highlight too. I enjoy including the park in my walking or running track. The playground on the Mt Alexander Rd side of the park has a cafe and lots of seating. The cafe is fine but there are much better options close by. There is a little quiet garden on the Mt Alexander side which is great to read a book in and relax.

My equal fave nature place in the Northern burbs is Queen's Park. It's frequented by families,…read morechildren, the elderly and fitness fans who take advantage of the many perks about this tranquil park. There are two playgrounds either side of the lake, walking and bike tracks, a gorgeous pergola/gazebo complete with white turret roof. Situated right on the lake, this magnificent area is perfect for wedding photos and is quite often used as a place to get married or to have wedding pics taken. When the giant water feature display comes on in the background the beauty of the scene it creates, particularly from the pergola with ferns and lush greenery in the background, truly takes your breath away. The Queen's Lake Cafe is situated on the opposite side of the gazebo next to one of the two playgrounds. They serve up delicious, homely and oh-so-worth-not-packing-a-picnic sort of food. Fresh rolls, focaccia and hot food, as well as perfecto tea and coffee, this is one playground you won't mind taking the kids to! Even though it gets busy here and not as big as Coburg Lake it's always seemed to be more serene and peaceful each time I've been. Seating a plenty, picnic tables, swimming complex, cafe, playgrounds, free BBQ facilities, walking and biking tracks, peace, wildlife, romantic.... The list goes on and on. The best thing to do is come and experience it for yourself, particularly if you live on this side of Melbs.

Fawkner park is my urban sanctuary. It's where I go to escape the city buzz, take my poochie for a…read morelong walk and get some fresh air, see some grass and greenery. Lots of business people walking through on their lunch breaks and folks travelling to and from their workplace by foot through the park during peak times. Watch out for bikes speeding through though. Large off-lead area to allow your furry pals to let of some of their steam. Kids playground and toilet facilities within the park... and a majority of the ovals are booked out over the summer months for team sports. Great park to go with friends in summertime for a picnic. Well maintained lawns, etc. Keep an eye out for the cute little possoms at night. x

Anyone for a bit of #dogspotting?…read more I have long confessed that I am a dog stalker. I have been known to take unnecessary detours through Fawkner Park just in case someone's dog wants to come say hi to me. It's such a good park for it. While not fully enclosed like some dog parks, there is substantial tree coverage and the middle sections are not too close to any major intersections - so unless you have a pup known for bolting, safer than most off lead areas. A former employer of mine even holds their Canine Christmas parties here! But dogs aside, this is a nice park and deceptive in size. Hidden away between busy St. Kilda Road and Commercial Road, there are massive divided sections of park here with great walking/cycling tracks through the middle. On a daily basis you'll find people working out, playing soccer, lunching, or teaching their kids how to ride a bike. Plenty of bench seating and shady spots, I've also spent a few hours just hanging around here with friends for a lazy chat in the sun. A nice inner city sanctuary.

Lovely garden! It's huge, so definitely plan a few hours if you want to see every corner of it…read more Couple lates with birds, ducks, and other wildlife hanging around. Saw some wedding photos being taken. Very easy to get here via public transit. The stop you want to get off at depends on where you want to enter the park.

As you continue along St Kilda Road (perhaps you have just visited nearby Alexandra Gardens; and…read morewant more of a nature fix) you will find more natural beauty and floristry to appreciate. The flower decorations on St Kilda Road; across the road from NGV International (National Gallery of Victoria) are great magnets to wanting some more natural therapy. And for free, you will not be disappointed with that abundance. Such nature so close to the city tends to remind those fully present to their surroundings a greater appreciation of more abundance in life. The number of parks and gardens within close proximity to each other is amazing. Do not stop your search for nature at this destination. A great oasis if you are passing through, and would like to immerse yourself in more of Melbourne's special playgrounds before heading to your ultimate destination at South Yarra: the Royal Botanic Gardens. Allow a bit of time to make this happen: your ideal day in nature. This isn't the type of garden you would want a picnic lunch in in a hurry; this park is designed to walk through and appreciate. All reading materials should wait until your at the next two parks: the Kings Domain and the Royal Botanic Gardens.

Ruffey Lake park has something for everyone. Plenty of…read moreBBQ's and covered tables and benches, fun playgrounds, and a huge off leash dog area. Clean toilets and actual working taps ( yes lots of public toilets have no working taps, no locking doors and just plain gross). I find Ruffey lake very enjoyable to visit and amenities are well maintained. Lots of hills and paths for variety. Definitely a lovely day out!

This is a big park. Like huge…read more It feels like you could be far away from the world, but then you can get a glimpse of nearby houses and a small view of the Doncaster mall sitting up on a hill. It really is nice for a daytime, the sun is out so you should be outside type of day. It's good for a walk around their many paths, or for a picnic on one of their many open hilly spaces. If I was a dog, this would be optimum day out stuff. Because at Ruffey Lake Park, there are dogs galore, on leashes, on the footpath, running around, soaking up some sun rays, taking a dip into the lake, this park is their oyster. The lake itself, is average size, it's nothing to exclaim over, or take in. For seating, if you didn't take a blanket with you and are one of those don't-like-grass people, then find yourself one of the many benches that are laid out throughout the park. For the kiddies, there are two playgrounds with swings and activities, I feel like whenever I've been here, that area is hands down the most populated part of the park. For all of your park needs, Ruffey Lake is a stand out.