Best Parks In Melbourne Australia

If you're planning a trip to Melbourne, Australia, you're probably wondering which parks are best to visit. Whether you're looking for a place to walk your dog, play a game of catch, or just take a breather from the city's hustle and bustle, there are plenty of great options. But if you want to find the absolute best parks to visit, you'll want to keep reading.

Princes Park - Carlton North in Melbourne

Princes Park, which is located in the inner suburb of Carlton North in Melbourne, is home to a number of sports teams. Among them are Australian rules football, rugby league, cricket and boxing. In addition to the various games, the park is also used as a training base for several sporting franchises.

The Carlton Football Club has been the official home team at Princes Park since 1897. Since that time, the venue has been the venue for a number of VFL and AFL games.

The club has played a total of 673 games at the park. During the 1990s, the stadium was home to the Northern Blues, a VFL-affiliated team.

Princes Park hosted the second Ashes test between the Great Britain Lions and Australia in 1992. They defeated the country 33-10. It was also the site of the 2005 Australian Football International Cup final.

The ground's current capacity is 22,000 people. A $18 million redevelopment project was completed in 2008. This included the construction of a new high-performance training and administration facility.

Before the stadium's renovation, it had a nominal seating capacity of 35,000. Two grandstands at the western end were removed.

Before the reconstruction, the Legends Stand was situated at the eastern end of the ground. It was often the least-filled stand during AFL matches.

Royal Botanic Gardens - Melbourne City

The Royal Botanic Gardens in Melbourne is an internationally renowned botanical garden. It is located on the banks of the Yarra River. These gardens have been designed to focus on Australian native plants which you can literally just wander for days around.

Since its inception in the middle of the 19th century, these gardens have been a place to study and enjoy plant life and are a great place to spend an afternoon picnicking in a relaxing and tranquil setting.

The gardens are home to thousands of species. These include native animals and plants, including grey-headed flying foxes. Grey-headed flying foxes are important pollinators of native plants.

There are 30 living collections at the Melbourne Gardens. These include the Camellia Collection, which features 200 camellias. Also, the Southern Africa Collection, the Water Conservation Garden, and the Australian Forest Walk.

The National Herbarium is also located in the gardens. This museum contains more than 20,000 plant species. In addition, it has a rich collection of books, art, and dried plant specimens.

During the warmer months, there are outdoor cinema screenings and theatre performances. You can also take a free guided walk at the gardens. The Aboriginal Heritage Walk provides an insight into the land through the eyes of traditional owners.

Fitzroy Gardens - East Melbourne

One of the oldest and most visited parks in Melbourne, Fitzroy Gardens is a popular destination for locals and tourists alike. This park has many attractions and activities, which will appeal to all ages.

A Victorian-era garden, Fitzroy Gardens is located in East Melbourne. They are home to a variety of plants and animals including owls, ducks and brushtail possums. The gardens also boast a model Tudor village.

Fitzroy Gardens is one of the oldest public gardens in Melbourne. Clement Hodgkinson redesigned the Gardens in 1858. His changes included removing the elaborate winding curves of the original design and replacing them with vertical paths.

Another of the more popular features of Fitzroy Gardens is the Fairies Tree. This tree was carved from a dead Red Gum tree. There are several Australian birds, a bush spirit, and other animals in the tree. It is fully fenced so visitors cannot walk underneath it.

In addition to the Fairies Tree, Fitzroy Gardens has a conservatory. This was a pet project of Councillor Kent Hughes where he wanted a place where visitors could relax and enjoy the view of the Gardens.

The conservatory was built adjacent to the house of a plant nursery manager. It was a pet project of Kent Hughes, but it was only completed after much debate.

Certainly worth a good walk around to enjoy the view.

Wyndham Park - Werribee Melbourne

A short stroll from the coffee fuelled hub of Wedge Street, this is a park to take note of. It's also a place to play. Playgrounds abound, with something for everyone from the geriatric to the preschooler. There is even a treetop footbridge to boot. The best part is, it's free.

The biggest drawback is that the park isn't very big. Luckily, the council has been proactive, making improvements to the play areas, including a new events lawn and revamped BBQ facilities. As such, the area has been transformed into a family friendly destination. While it might not be on the tourist radar yet, you're sure to see plenty of families with kids in tow. Fortunately, you can easily access the park by taking advantage of the complimentary tram services on offer.

Several playgrounds were specifically designed to amplify the magic of the area, and provide kids of all ages with a safe and fun playground. 

Wyndham Park is just a hop, skip and a jump from Werribee's main drag, so you won't have to go far to catch some rays and a bite to eat.

Booran Reserve Playground - Glen Huntly Melbourne

Booran Reserve Playground is one of the best parks in Melbourne Australia. It has a unique water play area and a giant climbing structure. The playground is also designed to be accessible to everyone.

The playground has a two-tier sand pit, a Dutch disc spinner and a basketball court. There are also several picnic shelters with BBQs. At the busy end of the playground is a large 10-metre-high double dome rope climbing net with a slide. This is the first of its kind in Australia.

Other features include a sports area with netball and tennis facilities. The park is also home to a large dog run, a velodrome of the highest calibre and a cricket pitch.

The park is also great for general gatherings. Parents can sit in the shade and watch their children.

Children can have fun on a 10 metre climbing frame, a hamster wheel, a zip line, a ten metre slide and a two-tier sand pit. Younger kids can enjoy a rope climbing area with a two-metre drop.

Located behind the old dam wall, the playground is a unique attraction. Originally built for a 1.6 hectare reservoir, parts of the original reservoir are preserved.

Gasworks Arts Park - Albert Park Melbourne

Gasworks Arts Park in Albert Park is an art and culture hub. It offers a wide range of activities, including a free outdoor music concert, theatre shows, and professional development opportunities for artists. There are also three gallery spaces and a cafe. Amongst other features, the Gasworks has a great park, which is ideal for a picnic.

The Gasworks has a very good coffee shop. Also, it hosts a number of important events. This includes a farmers' market and an annual festival. For a more personalised experience, you could even take a tour of the facilities.

The Gasworks has two free red-brick galleries and a theatre. In addition, it has a number of function and workshop spaces. Moreover, it is clean, comfortable, and accessible.

Lastly, the Gasworks has the best open pasture eggs. If you have a cute dog, you may be able to indulge in this treat.

Other things to check out in Melbourne include the Ian Potter Foundation Children's Garden. This miniature Tudor-style village is one of the city's most visited tourist attractions.

Alternatively, you can visit Burial Hill gardens, which are home to a lot of possums, and a beautiful rose garden. Located near Queen Victoria Market, it's also home to some of the oldest trees in Melbourne.

What are some of your favourite parks in and around Melbourne?