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    Carlton Gardens

    4.1 (17 reviews)
    Open 6:00 am - 5:30 AM (Next day)

    Carlton Gardens Photos

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    A serene escape right in the city.
    Tresna L.

    How lucky Melbourne is to have a beautiful garden such as this one. Right on the edge of the city, the Carlton Gardens is always a great spot for a picnic or book reading session under a tree. Kidlets will like running around, though be warned they'll want to jump in the fountain! At night a stroll through the park is pleasant, the Exhibition Building lit up, and the fountain glowing.

    Jess B.

    Ok, ok so the garden itself is pretty darn nice. I'll concede that minor point, which is why I have given a whole two stars. (Personally I think they are rather generous). The gardens are huge, there are big leafy trees everywhere and plenty of healthy looking grass to spread a rug over and relax on. Kids roll past on their bikes and happy dogs trot beside their owners with their tongues lolling out - it's quite picturesque. DON'T BE FOOLED BY THIS PERFECT IMAGE I HAVE JUST DESCRIBED. This would only be enjoyable if there wasn't a main road just metres from the parks edge. Victoria Parade is one busy road, most of the time, and it sure as hell likes to make its presence known. Unfortunately Carlton Gardens sit right next to this road and soak up the noise of car horns, engines and the flickering beeps of the green men on traffic lights. It really sucks because otherwise these gardens would be stunning. As it is, they are kind of like the thought of a good book while you're blocking your ears from the sound of the neighbour playing his drums. They could be brilliant but there is just that one giant thing standing in the way. The road really kills the mood and scares away a lot of natural wildlife that I'm sure would otherwise populate the numerous plants and trees. It's a pretty place, but for a great time I'd recommend headphones with a nature soundtrack to drown out the passing cars. Enjoy.

    Justine C.

    A beautiful, peaceful garden that gives Melburnians another choice to relax and to unwind, and also the annual garden show hosted here enables some great landscaping to come to the fore; and if your lucky you could be pampered by Garnier like I was at this show back in March at carlton Gardens. Can't wait till the show comes back next year. A great place to escape busy Lygon Street - or after just having eaten or gone shopping around Lygon Street; and perhaps you have just seen an exhibition (like the Taste of Melbourne) at the nearby Royal Exhibition Building, or you saw an exhibition at the Melbourne Museum, or even gone to the IMAX theatre. Or you could go to Melbourne Uni, and you have some time to relax on the other side. And hey if your not ready to head back into the city just yet; whey not bring your own lunch and enjoy it here in Nicholson Street before hopping on a tram back to the city. There is something about these gardens that allure you to them, and I am still trying to work out what that something precisely is. Needs to be seen, visited and enjoyed to be really appreciated. Great to unwind, read a book, have a picnic, and if you happen to live nearby: then why not take fido for a walk here as well.

    Alexander R.

    The Carlton Gardens are one of the picnic hot spots in Melbourne. On a beautiful sunny day there is nothing like a little stroll around to have a look at the flora and tranquil water features. There is so much perfectly cut green lush grass to lay out a rug, get some assorted cheeses and of course a little bit of bubbly to say "life's pretty good". It's also great because its position means you can visit the museum, IMAX or any of the very popular surrounding streets if you feel like a wander after a relaxing lunch in the sun. For the romantic types, it's always a hit. :)

    Melanie M.

    This park is a gem on the outskirts of the city! It is a lovely space with plenty of trees, grassy knolls and fountains/ponds. This would have to be my favorite greenspace that Melbourne has to offer. I've spent numerous vacation days laying here reading a book :)

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    Review Highlights - Carlton Gardens

    Everything is so well-maintained and the architecture of the building and the fountain is magnificent.

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    Birrarung Marr

    Birrarung Marr

    4.7(6 reviews)
    1.5 kmMelbourne

    (Visited 12/16/24 MO @ 12:00pm): This "river of mists" would've been welcomed on this scorching day…read morewhile out on a casual walk! A friend and I were on Day 3 of our 12-Day Southern Australia Explorer cruise with Princess Cruises, we took the local train into town, and after some initial exploration, we eventually made it to Birrarung Marr. To be honest, we knew nothing of this place until we casually came upon it. In Woi Wurrung and Boon Wurrung culture, "Birrarung" was the traditional name of the nearby Yarra River, and "marr" referred to the mist that sometimes settled over the Birrarung. This area was historically used for railway lines and yards in 1856. In 2000, construction of the park began and opened in 2002. The park now hosted a variety of native flora, sculpted terraces, pedestrian and bicycle paths, and was used for numerous events and festivals throughout the year. ArtPlay, a children's art center and gallery was also located on the site. Lastly, pedestrian bridges (William Barak and Tanderrum, respectively) bookend the park. Would we marvel at this public open space along the Birrarung!? PURCHASE Unless you took a river cruise, dined at a nearby eatery, or did some shopping, there were no direct ways to spend money towards the Birrarung Marr - 'nuff said. SERVICE I saw a few supposed city employees who cleaned and took care of the surrounding area. Otherwise, there wasn't anything else directly related to the Birrarung Marr - 'nuff said. PARKING (Varied; N/A this instance) There appeared to be a decent amount of parking on all surrounding streets (please note any posted signs), onsite parking at the nearby Federation Square, and of course the wonderful public transportation such as the tram system which we conveniently took and then walked the rest of the way - 'nuff said. ATMOSPHERE, DÉCOR, AMBIENCE As previously mentioned, this was a completely exposed outdoor area with several art sculptors https://www.yelp.com/user_local_photos?userid=8jVT2inwc8GIQ6sH2UG9Vw&select=jFWhi7YvYd0e2r9VU2S85A while the park was decorated in Christmas cheer https://www.yelp.com/user_local_photos?userid=8jVT2inwc8GIQ6sH2UG9Vw&select=2k72ZA4tgRzz1XZmFCJdSQ and a beautiful downtown city view https://www.yelp.com/user_local_photos?userid=8jVT2inwc8GIQ6sH2UG9Vw&select=eBa5d7pRaKR0QezOOy6M7Q just across the river. Obviously, there was plenty of natural lighting (duh!) while the night stars and electric business and street lights, respectively, filled in the rest. There weren't any TVs while the sounds of construction, conversations, motorized vehicles, and more were heard in the background. https://www.yelp.com/user_local_photos?userid=8jVT2inwc8GIQ6sH2UG9Vw&select=ch5R0TpstGK_nVzKB0Cw1Q ATTIRE Totally casual, so I would normally be in a t-shirt, boardshorts, and flip-flops. OVERALL Birrarung Marr was a pleasant surprise to had come upon, and it was a relaxing time as we walked from one end to the other before we left on our next adventure. I was a huge fan of public open spaces used for multiple purposes that invited people to feel comfortable, safe, and offered other options such as places to dine or simply people-watch. I found complete value based on the prices, service, and experience noted above (TOTAL paid experience was around $0.00AUD / $0.00USD BEFORE any discounts/tip). And, although there wasn't anything directly you could've paid for to the park, my credit card of choice was accepted at nearly all of the surrounding businesses... AMEX! 5.0 STARS

    Located downtown near the Yarra River, this park area provides quiet, serenity, and the ability to…read morebike, run, or walk the pathways. Rod Laver Arena and the Melbourne Cricket Grounds are conveniently located within a few minutes from this location. There are shops, vendors, and restaurants neaby to take advantage of. The city of Melbourne do a great service with this public park.

    Photos
    Birrarung Marr - Yarra River (12/16/24). #BirrarungMarr #Melbourne #Australia @CityOfMelbourne #Traveling #Exploring

    Yarra River (12/16/24). #BirrarungMarr #Melbourne #Australia @CityOfMelbourne #Traveling #Exploring

    Birrarung Marr
    Birrarung Marr - Art Sculptor - "Angel", Deborah Halpern (12/16/24). #BirrarungMarr #Melbourne #Australia @CityOfMelbourne #Traveling #Exploring

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    Art Sculptor - "Angel", Deborah Halpern (12/16/24). #BirrarungMarr #Melbourne #Australia @CityOfMelbourne #Traveling #Exploring

    Fitzroy Gardens

    Fitzroy Gardens

    4.3(15 reviews)
    1.1 kmEast Melbourne

    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.

    Photos
    Fitzroy Gardens
    Fitzroy Gardens - Conservatory

    Conservatory

    Fitzroy Gardens

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    Queens Park - Former curator's cottage ,Queens Park was the first overnight camp for the Burke and Wills Expedition.

    Queens Park

    4.3(6 reviews)
    6.5 km
    $

    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!

    Photos
    Queens Park - Great place for a walk or a long picnic lunch :)

    Great place for a walk or a long picnic lunch :)

    Queens Park
    Queens Park

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    Queen Victoria Gardens - View of CBD Melbourne

    Queen Victoria Gardens

    3.7(7 reviews)
    1.8 kmMelbourne

    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.

    Photos
    Queen Victoria Gardens - Tree

    Tree

    Queen Victoria Gardens - View of CBD Melbourne

    View of CBD Melbourne

    Queen Victoria Gardens - Pond with some birds

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    Pond with some birds

    Carlton Gardens - parks - Updated May 2026

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