Our first port of call was the lovely and historic Australian city of Melbourne. We compared our…read morepre-cruise visit in bustling, contemporary, modern architecture, and high-finance areas of Sydney's CBD, like the USA's Los Angeles, to the more politically-centric, traditional British architecture and environment, and historic Melbourne city, like the USA's New York City, as we drove through Australia's second most populous city. We noticed Melbourne's CBD (Central Business District) was designed as a grid with wide thoroughfares alternating with narrow, smaller "Little" streets running parallel to them and plentiful laneways. Many street names honor British colonial leaders, British Royals, local politicians, and influential 19th-century residents. Our guide mentioned themed street clusters in newer suburban residential developments named after sports figures (cricket, football, & golf), Beatles' Strawberry Fields, medieval Camelot, literary figures, aviation companies, photography, and more. We were then treated to the historic, Victorian-era park where we strolled and relaxed along its tree-lined avenues, fountains, sculptures, conservatory, and looked forward to visiting the historic Cook's Cottage (original English home of Captain James Cook's parents), Fairies' Tree, and model Tudor Village on a chilly and slightly wet morning. I could imagine picnicking or just lazing back under the shade of trees during their warmer, clear-sky Spring or Summer seasons. Anyway, knowing we were going to stroll through the gardens, I made sure to take an allergy tablet, since the gardens have various plant and tree species our home state doesn't have. During our two-hour meandering through the Fitzroy Gardens, I felt my stress leave my body as my eyes, ears, and breathing embraced this beautiful English garden.

While Fitzroy Gardens is known as a historical garden built in 1800's, I found the park lacking in…read moreinteresting attractions. It's a good park to take a stroll but that's about it. Personally, I think you can skip and not miss much. The Captain Cook's Cottage wasn't even occupied by Captain Cook and requires an entrance fee to enter. The Conservatory with floral displays is so small you'll finish exploring in about 5 minutes.

What an amazing park in Melbourne, I came here twice during our week long trip…read more Everything is so well-maintained and the architecture of the building and the fountain is magnificent. I took so many photos in front of the fountain (and I wasn't the only one). On the first day we came to this park we bought a coffee at nearby Good Measure (be sure to try their Mont Blanc) and walked around the gardens. The next time, we came with a blanket and just soaked up the sun and relaxed. It's an easy tram ride over here from the CBD, I would highly recommend anyone visiting Melbourne to put this on your list!

Well-maintained, 64 acre, green space in downtown Melbourne. There were lots of big old beautiful…read moretrees strangely circled in plastic so possums can't climb up and destroy them. I photographed a very strange possum in a. tree. We saw flowers, Berries in trees and fountains. The gardens are an example of Victorian landscape design with sweeping lawns and varied European & Australian tree plantings consisting of deciduous English oaks, White Poplar, plane trees, elms, conifers, cedars, turkey oaks, Araucarias & evergreen trees. Moreton Bay figs, combined with flower beds of annuals & shrubs were meticulously maintained. A network of tree-lined paths provides formal avenues for highlighting the fountains

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.

Walking along the Yarra River is something I'd absolutely recommend, even when it's a bit nippy…read moreoutside. We started at Federation Square and walked down to Spencer St. Bridge, crossed over by The Crown and walked past Polly Woodside before coming back on the other side. There are quite a few places to cross over if you want to hop back and forth. The side we walked on first had a bit of dead space as there were parks and underpasses and the back of Sea Life but if we had crossed over before Sea Life there were many shops and restaurants on the other side of the river. There were plenty of places to stop and have a drink or a snack along the way and there were even a lot of benches if you just wanted to have a rest. Floating bars and all that jazz. We even saw a floating swimming pool they must use in the summer. There is interesting art works and the bridges are just nice to look at too. There are boat cruises being sold along the banks of the river, the big kind and the kind where you man your own boat. We tried to do one but they were sold out for the day, so plan accordingly!

The Yarra river weaves through Melbourne. They were many restaurants and bars that are along the…read morewater front and barges in the water. Crew teams and river cruises take advantage of the river. Promenades on both sides have wonderful theaters as well as the bridges the cross.

Seriously amazing children's area! It's in the Botanical Gardens, completely self contained…read more There's a vegetable garden with sand pit when you walk in, tonnes of little trails, mazes and trees. The best bit is the long, shallow, wading river where kiddies put their feet in and float leaf boats down. There is lots of green grass to sit and have a picnic. There's a hammock and another sandpit with more areas to explore. Kiddies of all ages were enjoying this spot. I'll be bringing bubba back for sure.

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.

Ive been going to Queens Park for over 30 years! I used to go there as a little kid with my parents…read moreand now Im still going there as a parent with my little kids now! Queens Park is a beautiful park and is more of a "botanical gardens" than a regular or wooded park. It contains a beautiful lake with 3 man-made islands and a large water fountain in the lake. Many different species of bird live on the islands including ducks, coots, black swans and others. Turtles can also be spotted. The walk around the lake can be done in 10 minutes but its nicer to amble slowly! There are 2 playgrounds in the park - on either side of the lake and have different equipment to each other - meaning that the kids get 2 playground experiences rather than one generic one. Parking is also remarkably easy around the perimeter of the park and it is quite normal to see joggers running through the park or newly weds having their wedding photos taken in the lush setting. The park borders a swimming pool (open in summer) and the Moonee Ponds bowling club and contains a small cafe near the western side playground. The park is perfect for a romantic walk around the lake at twilight with your lover (it is well lit with lamp posts and is not dangerous at night) yet is also a perfect place for taking the kids to burn off some of their excess energy in the daytime and is also a great place for a jog or exercise session!

This park has not come up in my radar before despite its location, and what a shame that was!!!…read moreI managed to visit on a day off and sunny winter Melbourne day with the dog. Amazing great space and there's access to the water for the water loving dogs to dip in and out as they please. There's a few different sport zones ( soccer field, golf ) so you have to be mindful of visiting when there's a sporting event/ match. Otherwise it's a free run for the dog. There is also a no dog golf zone so watch out for stray golf balls of around this zone. Bike path runs next to the river and lots of benches to sit on. Love it and I will definitely visit more!

A firm favourite with our dogs! A truly enjoyable experience for all. Our dogs have many regular…read morefriends who visit, from Cavaliers to English Mastiff's! All dog owners are respectful.

I'm not really all that sure whether I can consider this place to be a Melbourne institution…read moreconsidering that it is a park, and I'm not sure whether you can consider parks institutions in the same way that you can consider pubs to be institutions. Still, this part certainly does have a reputation, not only because it is big, and that it has a rather large lake in the middle of it, but for four days every year they block it off just so that a bunch of cars can go for a pleasant drive around the said lake why making so much noise that you can hear it from the other side of the city, and a bunch of people come from all over the world to sit in stands and to basically wave flags while watching the said cars drive aorund the lake. Still, it is a delightful place to spend some time, and there are lots of things to do here, and lots of picnic grounds as well, and a number of sporting places, including a golf course, driving range and numerous ovals. Actually, they have a huge sporting complex here in fact. Yeah, I do rather like this place, and if you are keen for a challenge, try running around the lake.

What a peaceful place to visit and do your jogging and / or walking!…read more I really enjoyed the calmness of the location despite sporting events happening all around us. The ducks and other fowl were all over - just loved the place!

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.