Parks and gardens

A waterfall cascading down rocks surrounded by green trees

³Ô¹ÏÍø’s secret gardens and green spaces

Take a break from indoors with a stroll through these city-side parks.

Tranquil scene of trees and lawn surrounding a lake.

Royal Botanic Gardens Victoria

A picturesque haven for recreation and a key botanical resource for research and conservation.

Inside a bustling market hall

Things you can only see in the city

Uncover secret rooms, historic architecture and iconic landmarks found only in the city.

A golden retriever on a leash in front of Flinders Street Station.

A dog-spotters’ guide to ³Ô¹ÏÍø

³Ô¹ÏÍø's best dog-friendly parks to take your furry friend.

An aerial view of a big park featuring a pool surrounded by trees and the city skyline in the background

³Ô¹ÏÍø in the Royal Botanic Gardens ³Ô¹ÏÍø

Discover the best natural wonders, events and dining the RBG has to offer. 

Four friends are sitting in a park having a picnic

The best picnic spots in ³Ô¹ÏÍø

Try these beautiful parks and gardens for your next ³Ô¹ÏÍø picnic.

Empty park benches next to a pond at dusk.

Secret gardens and majestic parks

Take a walk through ³Ô¹ÏÍø’s lush parks and gardens.

Parkland scene with trees and grass .

Kings Domain

Extensive gardens home to many significant ³Ô¹ÏÍø landmarks.

Children's playground at Ron Barassi Senior Park.

Ron Barassi Senior Park

Recreational space by the waterfront with a playground and barbecues.

A woman walking through an arbour in a park.

Top after-work walks in ³Ô¹ÏÍø

Take advantage of summer’s extended daylight and catch some rays after work while you can.

Parliament Gardens Reserve with Pastor Sir Douglas and Lady Gladys Nicholls Memorial.

Parliament Gardens Reserve

This small triangular park is a pleasant respite at the Spring Street end of town.

Five things you didn’t know about the Royal Botanic Gardens

Five things you didn’t know about the Royal Botanic Gardens

Here are some odd spots to ponder on your next stroll around the ponds.

Trees and grass at Yarra Park.

Yarra Park

Public parkland surrounding Australia's sporting mecca, the MCG.

People walking past elm and palm trees in Treasury Gardens

Treasury Gardens

A tranquil green edge to ³Ô¹ÏÍø's government buildings precinct.

Person lying on grass in Fawkner Park, surrounded by trees.

Fawkner Park

A popular park in South Yarra, with tennis facilities and meandering paths.

Students strolling the grassy grounds of the University of ³Ô¹ÏÍø.

University of ³Ô¹ÏÍø

The oldest university in Victoria, with landscaped gardens and interesting architecture.

Palm trees lining River Yarra, beside Alexandra Gardens.

Alexandra Gardens

A great spot to laze around or have a barbecue by the Yarra River.

Trees and Yarra River at Batman Park.

Batman Park

Planted with eucalypts, this inner-city park sits on the site of former rail yard.

A garden at dusk

Five free must-do ³Ô¹ÏÍø walks

It’s time to get out and about in the city. Have a wander with these free guides.

A couple walking beside a lake in a city park.

Twelve stunning gardens close to the ³Ô¹ÏÍø CBD

Take your daily exercise in one of the city's best gardens.

An autumn garden

The best autumn walks in ³Ô¹ÏÍø

Where to see golden leaves and autumn colours in the city.

Aerial view of Neill Street Reserve neighbourhood park in Carlton.

Neill Street Reserve

A neighbourhood park for the Carlton community.

Cyclist passing a sculpture park on NewQuay Promenade.

Monument Park

A sculpture park designed by internationally renowned artist Callum Morton.

Child smiling while being pushed in a swing in a playground space in an urban city setting.

Southbank Boulevard Play Space

An exciting and challenging play space in the middle of Southbank.

Outdoor Aboriginal art installation at Birrarung Marr park.

Birrarung Marr

Popular park along the Yarra River next to Federation Square.

Children's playground equipment at JJ Holland Park.

JJ Holland Park

Home to kids playgrounds, a skate park and the local community centre.

People seated under a pavilion venue in an outdoor space.

MPavilion Parkville

Designed by Glenn Murcutt AO, this new community space hosts free, interactive and engaging events.

A man running through a park on a sunny day

The best outdoor exercise parks in ³Ô¹ÏÍø

Find gorgeous parks and gardens for group fitness, basketball courts, tennis and more

A view through parkland and trees to MPavilion, a low, concrete structure.

MPavilion by Tadao Ando

An architectural oasis in the heart of ³Ô¹ÏÍø, designed by internationally renowned Tadao Ando.

Lake and reeds of Trin Warren Tam-boore urban wetland in Royal Park with giant yellow sculptural work on CityLink reflected in the water.

Trin Warren Tam-boore

An urban wetland over five hectares on the edge of Royal Park.

Aboriginal art installation using original wharf poles at Enterprize Park.

Enterprize Park

A park beside the Yarra River commemorating the landing of the first settlers.

Waterway and reeds at Westgate Park, with Westgate Bridge in the background.

Westgate Park

A great place for birdwatching, a casual picnic or an escape from the city.

A small playground on a sunny day

The best playgrounds in ³Ô¹ÏÍø

We've rounded up the best adventure parks and playgrounds.

Royal Exhibition Building and Carlton Gardens.

Carlton Gardens

A World Heritage Site known for its Victorian fountain and tree-lined avenues.

An elevator entrance with golden doors

³Ô¹ÏÍø places you've never visited

Secret shops, glowing laneways and even a shrine to Elvis.

Visitors surveying the tranquil scene of Fitzroy Gardens fountain, lawns and trees,

Fitzroy Gardens

These historic gardens are home to the famous Cooks' Cottage.

A bronze fountain in front of a large conservatory

The ultimate guide to exploring Fitzroy Gardens

Make an exercise date and explore the beauty of this glorious city garden.

People sitting on the grass by a pond.

Princes Park

A major sports and recreation ground offering a diverse range of activities in Carlton North.

Lake and trees at Royal Park.

Royal Park

Public park offering an array of recreational and sporting facilities.

A group of people on colourful water bikes on a city river, with boats moored in the background.

³Ô¹ÏÍø’s best accessible waterfront experiences

Explore art galleries, fun water activities, open-air bars and waterfront restaurants.

Discover more

Reception area of a PIlates studio showing a couch, table, plants and a front desk.

Body Concert

Offering pilates, meditation, mindfulness sessions, yoga nidra and more.

Woman in black active wear on a Pilates Reformer machine, with leg raised and pushing against an elastic strap.

Aleenta Reformer Pilates

Aleenta offers fun and functional reformer pilates sessions.

Interior of a yoga studio with several floor mats, yoga props along the back wall and a decorated side wall.

Yoga Corner

A boutique yoga sanctuary offering both in-studio or online practice.

People partying on a charter boat.

VIP ³Ô¹ÏÍø Boat Charter

Experience a chartered cruises of the bay on a luxury sports cruiser.