Albert Park
Address: Albert Park, Port Phillip, Victoria 3206, Australia
Phone: +61 3 8427 2002
Albert Park is a must see park while in Melbourne. It has an athletic arena, an aquatic centre, sailing and rowing centres and fabulous walkways/cycleways around the lake. The park run is on there every Saturday if you would like to join in. Such a great environment to enjoy while in a major city
Visiting from England in march & decided to do the parkrun on Saturday morning, was off the first week I was there due to the Formula one being on & I wasn't too keen on the 8am start as I'm used to 9am, but what a place, sun still rising over Melbourne & the Formula one track still partially set up, lovely run around the lake in a rather surreal place!!
We have only ever been here when the F1 is on as we have worked there but what i can tell you is the atmosphere is amazing, on arrival before everyone is setting up the park is home to all levels of fitness enthusiasts, beautiful lake to walk around too, then once a year the chaos starts..... but still very interesting with an electrifying buzz, security is excellent this time of year and the entertainment factor is brilliant.
There are plenty of restaurants outside the park too for you to get away in the evening from the hectic days there, all in all a great place whatever time of year.
This is a beautiful lake and lovely to walk around. Plenty of seating available to stop and take in the views. From the bottom of the lakes you get a great view of the Melbourne skyline with its buildings towerin over everywhere. Pathways wide so easily accommodate walkers and runners. What a beautiful place to exercise for runners! We walked from Melbourne, quite an easy route and then continued on to St Kilda before returning via the park again. They were already setting up for the Grand Prix. Quite interesting to watch them . Wish we had been in Melbourne to see it.
St Vincent Gardens
Address: Albert Park VIC 3206, Australia
A beautiful park between St Vincent's Place North and South. Worth taking a walk on the outside to see the parade of 1880's boom architecture. Within the park is a bowling green, tennis courts, lawns,toilets, shade trees and a good children's playground at the western end. The #1 tram to South Melbourne Beach cuts through the middle on Montague St.
The gardens are pleasant, with a bowling green, public toilets, shady spots, lawns, old trees and a playground. However, the old mansions that surround it are well worth a look, too.
Love these gardens - beautiful for a stroll or picnic or just sitting on a bench breathing in the energised air 🌳 Love taking the weekend papers and a rug and sprawling out for a few hours with a snooze along the way !
Really pretty gardens with plenty of seating. Lovely to visit with a picnic at lunch time. Not far from Albert Park shops.
Yarra Bend Park
Yarra Bend Park is a splendid place for a tranquil stroll along the banks of the Yarra River.
Lovely walks, excellent picnic spots, play grounds for children and a number of public BBQs.
Fairfield Boathouse and Studley Park Boathouse bookend your exploration and both sites offer opportunities for coffee and casual outdoor dining. Rowing boats can be hired at either venue.
Dight's Falls with its fish ladder is interesting and when the river is running high is pretty impressive.
Yarra Bend Public Golf Course is very scenic and clubs can be hired at the Club House. Food and drinks are also available there, as well as Mini Golf.
In summary, Yarra Bend park offers casual strolling, active recreation, picnics and a choice of dining options.
Well worth a visit - this is an outstanding green space right on the edge of the city of Melbourne. Walking distance from Clifton Hill railway station.
Can't beat this for time lying down on a rug on nice thick grass right at the river edge. One of Melbourne's best kept secrets this area and easily accessible by car.
What makes Yarra Bend park so unique is the many walking trails that “snakes” with the river. It’s easy to navigate and you can walk as long/short as you want. We started our walk opposite Studley Park Boathouse and followed the trail towards Fairfield Park Boathouse - it takes you next to the river, past the flying foxes and back through some lovely scenery. Pretty amazing for a park that is in the midst of the city.
Thoroughly enjoyed this tranquil nature walk just 30min away from Melbourne! Dight Falls provided enough calming effect as it cascades onto the Yarra Bend Park. Continuous walk will take you to a huge farm and Abbotsford Convent. Both delightful surprises!
Albert Park Lake
Address: 3 km south of the Melbourne CBD, Albert Park, Port Phillip, Victoria 3206, Australia
Website: http://bit.ly/2HbyjA0
We wanted to go to beach but we couldnt find it. Ended up in the cafe within the park for a glass of Chardonnay. Its the best thing I did with someone, do nothing. We just talk for hours and hours, watching the birds, dogs, and passers by. I would repeat the same thing again if given the chance.
Most of all parks in Melbourne are stunning, they are all clean, peaceful, contemplative, there are many people practicing any kind of sports. I just love them.
For those photographers, if u r coming Melbourne and looking at a nice spot to capture the best scene of the city skyline, albert park lake it is!
Aside the city skyline view, u can expect a beautiful lake with yacht clubs and even the F1 circuit right here!
It is walking distance from the shrine of remembrance, the royal botanic garden. Or along the st Kilda road.
I would recommend a self drive over here as you can drive on the F1 circuit whenever there isn’t an event here. Pretty cool and experimental. Self drive also allowed u to stop at different corner to have a great meal for your camera!
I tried morning (sun rise), evening (sunset) and night views, and all given different mode and atmosphere for my photos appetite. For night view, make sure you bring a great night scene camera.
Enjoy and hope to see you around.
You can walk or just sit and watch the swans and pelicans around the lake. There are a couple of cafes open (depending on time and day) and I think there is still boat hire if you want to get out on the lake. It is generally very peaceful unless it's Grand Prix time and you have to pay for nearby parking.
Herring Island Park
Address: Alexandra Ave, South Yarra VIC 3141, Australia
While staying in south Yarra the hotel staff suggested an interesting walk along the Yarra river to Herring Island. And what a surprise it was. First of all I caught a punt with a ferryman to the island which only took 3 minutes or so. The island has some interesting and impressive permanent sculptures in the sculpture park. And Currently there is an excellent sculpture exhibition on at the Island art gallery. It’s well worth a trip to the island to see the exhibition from the Association of Sculptors of Victoria.
The island itself is not large and you don’t need to spend a lot of time here. There are a few walking pathway to follow and explore the island and it’s surprising to find such a little bit of bush right smack in the middle if the city. The exhibition and punt boat service only run for a limited time. (to the 22nd of April and only on Saturday, Sunday and public holidays ,I think it would be best to check the dates.)
we also with visit this place in our own kayaks so have no idea about other complaints regarding punt. we absolutely adore this place with its great artworks. live having BBQs and pretending we aren't in the city.
I recently visited Herring Island with The Maroondah Bush Walking Club.
What a delightful experience it turned out to be.
I had never visited the island before and would encourage people to visit.
We walked along The Yarra river from Flinders Street Station, caught a ride across the river on the punt which was driven by a friendly Parks Victoria employee.
On reaching the island we walked around it viewing the sculptures and enjoying the woodland atmosphere.
The Contemporary Art Society of Victoria hold art exhibitions on the island and they are very welcoming. We enjoyed looking at all the exhibits.
Whilst we were having our lunch their president Robert Lee regaled us with a short history of the island which was very interesting.
All in all an enjoyable time was had by all and I thoroughly recommend a visit there.
Worth dropping in on a nice day for a walk, gallery visit and a lovely lunch at canteen by the Yarra.. lovely
Queen Victoria Gardens
Address: St Kilda Rd, Melbourne VIC 3004, Australia
Phone: +61 3 9658 9658
The Gardens are a pleasant place for a walk in most weathers. I like to drop in on the floral clock to see what is in flower, but it is also cool in the hot weather, with lawns to sit on (handy for picnics) and shade to enjoy.
Next to the Botanical gardens, nice park, cool for a jog. Some war memorials for Australians fallen in wars.
Australians often take to their hearts things which others might consider a tad cheesy, such as Abba. The floral clock is one such thing. The clock was donated to the park by a group of Swiss watchmakers in 1966 and Melburnians have taken a liking to it. It's only part of the Queen Victoria Gardens, which has memorials to Queen Victoria and King Edward VII. The flower beds are pretty, particularly in spring. The gardens are around 4.8 ha (12 acres), and is opposite the Arts Centre and National Gallery of Victoria (NGV) in St Kilda Road. Visitors and locals alike find the Queen Victoria Gardens a pleasant place for a relaxing stroll. By the way, you can see the floral clock from the tram going down St Kilda Rd near the NGV.
Queen Victoria Gardens opened in 1905 a few years after her death in 1901. There is a nice statue memorial of Queen Victoria on the highest point of the garden with the Queen looking out over the ornamental lakes and lawns and rose gardens. In July the roses were not blooming but the many small statues situated around the lakes and lawns were very nice. Very pleasant place to stroll and enjoy the sights.
Parliament Gardens
Address: 489/531 Albert St, East Melbourne VIC 3002, Australia
Website: http://bit.ly/2JdT9Sv
Despite its very small, modest size, the garden boasts of many interesting flowers that are well maintained. You can also get a nice view of St.Patrick's Cathedral as the backdrop.
The gardens are just outside the free-tram zone, so you can easily get there at no cost. While not exactly "spectacular", it is still worth a drop in, if you happen to be in the area, but not a place I would say a "must-go" lest you be duly disappointed! haha!
The Parliament Gardens is directly opposite the beautiful Princess Theatre. The unique fountain is beautiful.
The area where the Parliament Gardens are located is one of the more interesting areas of Melbourne The gardens themselves are worth a look if passing by. If you take the City Loop just hop off at Parliament Station and follow signs
A lovely water feature in this small city park, plus this great sculpture in this picture. The park is near our apartment so I have spent time here. Tranquil.
Alma Park
Address: 150 Dandenong Rd, St Kilda East VIC 3183, Australia
Love love love the Hank Marvin food vans here on a Saturday! Great food, nice people and relaxing atmosphere.. bring a ball for the kids and you can spend hours doing things. I'd highly recommend for families with kids up to about 9 or 10 years old. The flying fox is a hit with my adult children as well as the littlies..
Alma Park is divided in two. one side is for events and sporting activities and the other is more like a garden with lots of open parkland. The second park, closet to Chapel Street, has a beautiful pathway that leads through the middle of lush vegetation exhibiting a wide variation of plant types.
I explored the West and East parts of the park near Dandenong Road. The park is bisected by the railway line to Sandringham and seems to have a different character on each side. The West side has gardens of a European character and pathways (there are public toilets nearby on Dandenong Road). The Eastern side has a big sporting oval and more indigenous plantings.
Probably more for families, but still interesting for casual walkers and visitors, and the play equipment looks very imaginative. There are bbq facilities, although we didn't use them.
Fawkner Park
Address: 24-88 Commercial Rd, South Yarra VIC 3141, Australia
We did a family BBQ breakfast birthday celebration adjacent to the children's play area and everyone loved our morning. The kids did not draw breath and the air was clear, the park adorable and the Melbourne skyline still in view. Well worth your time. Dog friendly.
I work in the area and come here solo but would recommend for families and couples as there is plenty of space. Some good playgrounds plus large fields and leafy trees. Good paths with an approx 4km round trip if you are looking for a good walk / run.
One of best parks in and around Melbourne for sports and leasuire. Situated just over toorak road has facilities for all types of sports. Have a great oval for cricket or footy depending on the season.
Just the walk to work from South yarra to St Kilda road through this park is amazing. The night is filled with possums. Need to be careful while walking alone beyond midnight through here as the possums trend to come very near.
This very large park is located in a pleasant suburban area and offers all sorts of recreational opportunities. Nicely landscaped.
Victoria Gardens
Address: High Street, Prahran, Stonnington, Victoria, Australia
Phone: +61 421 658 911
These gardens, which were designed in 1885, are in the shape of a rectangle and occupy an area of approximately two hectares between High and Murray Streets. The entrances at both ends have beautiful stone pillars and wrought iron gates and there are a large number of different and beautiful trees within the gardens, particularly the Plane trees that surround the sunken oval. There are a good number of paved paths as well as public toilets and a children's playground.
This would be an excellent venue for a picnic or just an outing with the children.
The Gardens were the venue for the 2019 Melbourne Food and Wine Festival's Longest Lunch where over 1,600 people gathered at tables that were placed along the walkways and on the sunken oval. It was an excellent venue given the beautiful surroundings and the significant amount of shade provided by the trees.
You wouldn't guess what is through the gates in High Street Prahran until you walk through them. A brilliant park with some nice statues and a very pleasant place for a walk on a nice day
A great garden park, in total larger than the size of a football field, broken into several zones. The main sunken oval area is off-lead for dogs and many local dogs gather here with there owners - especially late afternoon. A great park to chill out in if you have dogs, or kids or friends. No BBQ facilities but great for a picnic.
Stonnington council host a free series of evening "Opera in the Park" events, every Summer in Melbourne. We went to see an abridged version of Madame Butterfly performed by our up and coming talent. An amazing night relaxing in a beautiful park ... picnic .. nibbles ... drinks etc etc watching a wonderful performance. Our young talent especially Tenor Michael Petruccelli was certainly a highlight! Recommend highly.
Birrarung Marr
Address: Melbourne VIC 3004, Australia
Phone: +61 3 9658 9658
I love walking along this promenade in the centre of Melbourne by the Yarra river ,you can just enjoy the views and greenery ,stop at the nearby cafes ,watch the boats and rowers on the river ,people watch ,visit the famous sporting museum at the MCG stadium ,just relax have a picnic take your dog for a stroll,enjoy the outdoors, your near public transport to get here, just enjoy
This is a gorgeous site on the river with some lovely outdoor sculpture, including some indigenous art. I recommend a short guided tour.
This is yet another great park on the banks of the Yarra River. Melbourne does a great job of utilising and providing green space for everyone. It also highlights the Yarra River. Good facilities and well maintained paths as well as some unusual sculptures makes this park great for a stroll or a sit down and watch the world go by.
Soooo many choices and not enough room in tummy to try them all.
Scared of food envy of others so why not go more than once. Anyhow, very well run, great Pimms bar and great Vietnamese
Also great dessert, pity there was no ice-kechang.....with Durian - yum
Plum Garland Playground
Address: Beaconsfield Parade, Albert Park VIC 3206, Australia
One great thing about bayside melbourne is all the beachside playgrounds. this is one of my favourites
Best for under 10's, my 4 yo's favourite. Comes into its own in summer with its water features. Otherwise, the usual swings, slides, sand pits, ropes and roundabouts.
Victoria Greenmeadows Gardens
Address: Storage Shed, 1 Green St, St Kilda East VIC 3183, Australia
Phone: 9524 3333
In the early morning, it seems that everyone passes through here on their way to work, the shops, or school. With the springtime flowers out and the trees in flower, the streets are a pretty sight. The Council workers are hard at work keeping it all nice. The park even has an offleash dog area.
There is a large playground and many seats under shady old trees in these large gardens. It is a quiet place and has public toilets as well. Dog exercising is allowed before 9am.
Wonderful little garden within St Kilda East - This hidden gem is a magic delight woven within some of the Melbourne's loveliest streets you could ever imagine.
Windsor Siding
Address: Union Street, Windsor, Stonnington, Victoria, Australia
Before this was a park, it was a railway siding, and before that it was a railway line to St Kilda. If you look at the shapes of the roads and the ages of the buildings, you can get an idea of where it went. That said, this is a great little park with something for everyone. There are undercover BBQs and seating, a basketball court, junior train-themed playgrounds, lots of grass, a public toilet, and humpy cycling course. Much fun.
If you're in to the street art scene, I actually reckon that this area is more exciting than the laneways in the city. There is a huge area plastered in street art here. Some really creative stuff. Look out for the festival in the summer with food from Mr Miyage and a few of the other restaurants in the area.
Around the corner from a cornucopia of cafes (try saying that quickly!) Windsor siding is home to many of Windsors greatest urban artists. Using many of the utalitarian walls of the local storage centre as their canvas the rapdily changing paintings are worth revisiting regularly. Paired with a stroll down Artists Lane, Windsor siding is also features a recently rejuvenated reserve with space to stretch out, trees and benches to relax under and plenty of people to observe!
Since I last visited, the pleasant gravel path has been replaced by ugly mass concrete.
This has encouraged hoons who buy liquor from the 24 hour Railway Hotel to use the park.
Apart from too much graffiti - it isn't 'street art' by any means - the park has some pleasant spaces and nice native trees that attract birds like noisy miners.
There is a public BBQ
Elwood Park
Address: Elwood VIC 3184, Australia
Website: http://bit.ly/304RAf9
Associated with Point Ormond, the Elwood Park and Foreshore Reserve has the usual park facilities of BBQs, Playground, picnic tables, and lawns. It also has some native bushland.
Right near the Bay, peaceful, quite, reflective time to think and relax. Nice walk and beautiful views, a lovely walk and lovely way to spend some hours.
This is a wonderful public space in a fairly built up area. Marvellous for dogs and their owners, there’s a skate park, children’s playground, barbecues and a very large lake that houses ducks and swans. It’s a joy to visit any time of the year.
This accessible park with easy parking, has a nice walkway on edge of sea, with fine views of Melbourne city. A good place to stroll, or just sit; and watch the world go by.
ANZAC Gardens
Address: Ferrars Place | South Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria 3205, Australia
As part of a walking tour, we visited the park and war memorial. We found it a calm and pleasant location.
The ANZAC Gardens surrounds the Hellenic RSL Building in South Melbourne. It backs onto the light rail line and is a quiet place with lawns, fringing trees, and some seating.
Garden City Reserve
Address: Beacon Rd & Crichton Avenue, Port Melbourne VIC 3207, Australia
I came here with my 2 children ages 4 and 2.5. As we drove 25 minutes to get here we were initially disappointed with the size of the park. Once we settled in looked around we spent an afternoon of 2 to 3 hours playing. The park is deceiving there is play equipment hidden such as the monkey bars and bridge. We had fun taking turns on the flying fox and climbing the dinosaur wall. There is a lot of open space to play ball games and a BBQ with seating areas. It's a park for all ages and worth a visit. It was a windy and fresh so I do recommend dressing warm if coming in winter.
My son loves running around this great green open park. Has an amazing quirky playground and plenty of open space. TIP: off street parking on Tucker Ave
Lagoon Reserve
Address: Port Melbourne VIC 3207, Australia
Lagoon Reserve includes Lagoon Pier, which is a favourite fishing spot for local anglers. Fish caught include gummy shark and schnapper, and small schnapper, commonly called "pinkies." The area has a number of memorials, including "Answering the Call," which commemorates the service sailors rendered Australia.. Small boats can tie up on the pier..Louis Liardet, an early settler, is ommemorated in serveral places.There's a view of Harper's Chimney. An old saying goes "if you can't see Harper's Chimney, you're in trouble."
The Lagoon Reserve comes in two parts. The one closer to the sea has a large playing field, some toilets, BBQs and tables and chairs. There are native plantings around the periphery. Across Liardet Street it is called Edwards Park and has groves of palm trees forming a shady walkway and a large children's playground.
has a nice little native garden with numerous benches. also features a sports ground and off dog leash area. walk 600m south too lagoon pier for a great picture op
Argo Reserve
Address: 83 Argo St, South Yarra VIC 3141, Australia
Unfortunately parking is a bit of a hassle because this is a lovely little park with plenty of shade and areas to picnic. Apart from playground it has zero facilities eg toilets. Still one of my favourites in area
This is a small park in Argo Street which is an interesting small street in South Yarra with some interesting old houses some more modern and some not so good.It is fairly basic and standard but better than no park.
Argo Reserve has old trees, some seating and a nice playground. Other facilities are not present,so it is just a basic park, like its neighbour (without a name) a short distance away.
O'Donnell Gardens
Address: St Kilda VIC 3182, Australia
Website: http://bit.ly/304RAf9
O'Donnell Gardens are next to Luna Park, not far from the Beach, and right at the start of the Acland Street Cake Strip. You might need a rest between activities and the Art Deco water feature is worth a look while planning the night.
After walking through the Sunday market, we get some take away and sit in the park to eat it. It’s next to Luna Park so you get a lot of amusement park background sounds
A patch of grass with a non functioning fountain placed in its center commemorating St Kilda's centenary, it now appears to have become a home for the homeless. Unattractive in many ways, it is not a place to put on your "Must See" list (unless you have a penchant to be a Social Worker).