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!

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.

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.

For the past couple of years we've been coming to Thomas St Reserve for a Christmas BBQ with a…read morelarge group of our friends. It's a great place to meet up with lots of room for the kids to run around while the big kids catch up. The BBQs are free to use and seem to be well maintained, as are the large private toilets. The huge playground is too much of a temptation for me to resist having a run around on, let alone the kids that swarm all over it. Close to the playground is plenty of grass to pull up a chair or picnic rug and relax in the shade under one of the many trees. There are also a couple of picnic benches scattered around the area, but you'll need to get here early to nab one of them!

The first time I came here, I was meeting up with some friends for a frisbee match. I'm not…read moreparticularly coordinated when it comes to the hand-eye activities and so I suggested I just might cheerlead from the side lines... Well, they were all running around and frolicking about in the sunshine - the huge lawns here are perfect for it - and before I knew it I was playing like a recent graduate from the Ultimate Frisbee Champion School. Apart from friendly frisbee games, the gardens are great for a stroll or a relaxed afternoon under a tree. The community garden in south-west corner is nice to poke around in, as are the hot houses. Keep your eye out for critters in the trees.

I always forget this place is here! I feel absolutely privileged to be so nearby. When you're in…read morethe mood for a beautiful scenic walk, this seems to be the place, providing you don't want to head into the city for the other one. The plant life is super abundant and the amount of grass that's available for picnic is awesome! There's even that nice little playground for the kidlets. The only downside is there's always poo on the ground, yes a big downside. I'm not a fan of that being right in the pathway, especially when you are responsible enough to clean up your own dogs poop! Be kind and keep the pathways and grass clean please!

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.

These beautiful gardens are the perfect summertime picnic spot. You'll find people lazing away the…read morehours immersed in a book or more often than not amorous couples immersed in each other. Lush, green and with plenty of space, there is also a children's playground and bbq setups. You'll regularly spot wedding parties stopping by for photos alongside locals playing frisbee and walking their pedigree breed dogs. Being situated in ritzy Albert Park, the gardens naturally house both a bowls green and a tennis court as well. Just in case you're so inclined.

A very genteel, Great Gatsby style garden…read more You will be transported to the early days of Melbourne at this well kept, peaceful oasis. The lush grass and shady trees provide the perfect place to lie in the sun or relax in the shade. If you are feeling more active why there is a tennis court ol' sport but it is for members only you understand. The waiting list is a mere 8 years or so. A quick skip across the road for a spot of lawn bowls may be more to your liking. The ankle biters will be greatly amused with the 2 play areas and you may even follow suit of the locals by holding your little ones birthday party in the grounds. There is no BBQ nor picnic tables mind so it is BYO in that regard. Loos are available but not having used them I can not vouch for their condition. Fido is welcome to stroll through the gardens but must be restrained lest he knock over one of the children. SVG may also be an ideal spot to wed your sweetheart. You can often see some intimate and beautiful weddings in the summer months. Toodle-oo.

This is a wonderful and quaint park that has so much to offer. In the main area, there is the…read more'jells park tea house', a lovely little café where you can sit and enjoy the surroundings. There is a large wooden playground for kids, plenty of trails and routes to accommodate for the frequent runners and bikers, ovals and barbecues (these run high in demand on sunny weekends). Jells park isn't crowded or overpopulated, but there are enough people around to give it a sense of a community. The park is more of a wetlands/bush land style park compared to a botanical type. I love coming here as it has a vibe of happiness to it, there are always children running around, couples biking and dog walkers. Jells Park is very large and you probably could get lost in it (but if you just follow any path it'll take you back out). If you're in the local area, pop down for a bbq and enjoy.

Jells Park is an extremely popular place to go of a weekend. It offers plenty of natural bushland,…read moreover nine kilometres of tracks and paths, a couple of playgrounds, and heaps of space for you to have picnics or kick the footy with the kids. There's fishing on the side of the lake that is outside of the conservation area, but I hope you like carp! There's the occasional redfin, but they seem like the exception and not the rule, particularly if your experience is anything like mine. The barbecue facilities are pretty good, if sometimes quite busy. In some spots, you'll find free electric barbecues, in others, you'll find wood-burning barbecues. Wood is usually provided, which is a plus. Just remember to take out everything you take in. No rubbish should ever be left there.