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Set your imagination free and head to the city for a great range of relaxing outdoor activities. From quiet picnics in stunning gardens to picturesque cruises along the Yarra River, and from the thrills of a big football match to scenic jogs on the popular Tan Track – Melbourne has it all!
Parks and gardens
Imagine a city where an escape into tranquil parkland is minutes away in every direction. Vast and diverse, our parks are home to magnificent trees, floral displays, stunning artwork and much more.
Collect a self-guided walk brochure from the Melbourne Visitor Centre at Federation Square and uncover Melbourne’s colourful history as you go.
Below are just some of Melbourne’s beautiful parks and gardens.
Fitzroy and Treasury Gardens
The Fitzroy and Treasury Gardens are full of treasures – from a flower-filled conservatory and elegant rotundas to a 150 year old avenue of magnificent elms. Check out Cooks’ Cottage, the carved Fairies’ Tree, the Model Tudor Village and Pavilion Cafe.
Royal Botanic Gardens Melbourne
The Royal Botanic Gardens is recognised as one of the world’s finest botanic gardens, with 50,000 individual plants. Visit the fern gully and the ornamental lake, home to flocks of water fowl. The garden’s visitor centre provides information about tours and
garden highlights.
Carlton Gardens
Established in 1857, the Carlton Gardens is Australia’s best example of classical garden design. In 2004 the gardens was awarded World Heritage status, along with its striking centrepiece, the Royal Exhibition Building. The Carlton Gardens is also home to Melbourne Museum and IMAX Theatre.
Birrarung Marr
Award-winning Birrarung Marr is Melbourne’s most contemporary park, while its tranquil location along the Yarra River makes it one of our most peaceful spots. Take in the Indigenous Birrarung Wilam installation and the Federation Bells, a stunning field of 39 electronic bells. The park is also home to ArtPlay, a children’s arts centre with a colourful, innovative playground.
Kings Domain
The sprawling Kings Domain parklands features an array of monuments including the Shrine of Remembrance and the Pioneer Women’s Memorial Garden. Other places of interest include the grand Government House and the Sidney Myer Music Bowl, a striking outdoor performance venue.
Royal Park
Royal Park is Melbourne’s largest city park, covering 170 hectares. The park features an Australian Native Garden and Royal Park Wetland, the serene home for a variety of native wildlife.
Waterfront
Melbourne’s scenic waterfront offers endless possibilities for fun and adventure, including alfresco dining and bars, stylish shopping, urban art and many sporting, leisure and entertainment opportunities.
Yarra River: south bank
Imagine yourself sitting in a waterside café or fine restaurant, watching the passing pedestrian parade as the city’s lights sparkle across the water. Drop by the Southgate arts and leisure precinct and you could make this your reality. While you’re there, you might like to do some shopping with a range of quality stores within the Southgate complex. Or, you might prefer a view that’s a little closer to the water. Take a scenic river cruise, visit the penguins at St Kilda or catch a ferry to Williamstown. Water taxis also operate from Southgate.
Walking along the Southbank Promenade, you may discover some talented chalk artists or buskers as well as public artworks. At the Crown Entertainment Complex you can try your luck at the casino, shop for designer labels, catch a movie, enjoy a meal or check out the evening spectacle of the flame-throwing towers.
Yarra River: north bank
On the north bank of the Yarra you’ll find the Melbourne Aquarium, giving close-up views of underwater life – you can even dive with sharks! The Immigration Museum in grand Old Customs House is also nearby. Further along the river is Federation Square. With its striking buildings and public spaces, Federation Square has become something of a cultural magnet for Melburnians and visitors alike.
Melbourne Docklands
Explore our city’s outstanding waterfront at Melbourne Docklands, on the scenic Victoria Harbour. Docklands is a great spot for wining and dining, with fabulous harbour side restaurants, bars and cafes at NewQuay, Waterfront City, Victoria Harbour and Yarra’s Edge precincts. Offering an exciting annual calendar of events, more than 30 public artworks, picnic and playground facilities, stunning views, picturesque promenade walks and bike tracks – Docklands has something for everyone. Take in the view from the historic wharves and public marinas, or relax on the water with a sightseeing or dinner cruise. Only minutes from the city centre, getting to Docklands is easy. Jump on the free City Circle Tram, catch trams 30, 48, 70 or 86 from the city, take a train to Southern Cross Station or take a water taxi.
Sport
Melburnians are addicted to sport. The city’s stadiums host international and domestic events on a grand scale and it’s not uncommon to see crowds flocking to a football or cricket match after work on a Friday night. The Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) can hold 100,000 spectators and hosts more than 100 days of cricket and Australian Rules Football every year. Etihad Stadium at Docklands, current home of A-League Football (soccer) club Melbourne Victory, boasts computer-managed turf, retractable roof and moveable seats that allow the playing field to change shape for different sporting codes. Tours of the MCG and Etihad Stadium give visitors a ‘behind the scenes’ look all year round.
Melbourne Park is home of the Australian Open Tennis Championships and includes the Rod Laver and Hisense Arenas. Other sports, such as cycling, are held at these venues, and tennis courts are available for hire most of the year. Rugby League team Melbourne Storm is based at the nearby Olympic Park.
Melbourne’s sporting calendar
January to February
Commonwealth Bank Series One Day Cricket Internationals, MCG
January
Australian Open Tennis Championships, Melbourne Park
February to March
NAB Cup (AFL Pre Season Competition)
March
FORMULA 1TM ING Australian Grand Prix, Albert Park
March to September
Toyota AFL Premiership Season, MCG and Etihad Stadium
Telstra National Rugby League Premiership Season (Melbourne Storm), Olympic Park
August to February
Hyundai A-League Football (soccer) Competition (Melbourne Victory), Etihad Stadium
November
Melbourne Cup Carnival, Flemington Racecourse
October
Jayco Herald-Sun Tour (cycling tour)
December
3 mobile Cricket International Boxing Day Test Match, MCG
Get moving!
In Melbourne, sport isn’t just left to the elite athletes. Our city is big on joining in – and you can too. Play on the same tennis courts as the world’s best, drive the Grand Prix circuit or play a round or two at the Royal Park Public Golf Course. You might also like to experience the culture of the midday jog as you join the city workers around Melbourne’s famous ‘Tan Track’.
Pick up a ‘Walking and Jogging Tracks’ booklet from the Melbourne Visitor Centre and discover 10 fun and interesting routes. The booklet includes a handy calculator for estimating the kilojoules you’ll expend on each route.
For more information
• Visit the Melbourne Visitor Centre at Federation Square, located on the corner of Swanston and Flinders streets;
• Visit the Melbourne Visitor Booth in the Bourke Street Mall;
• Call City of Melbourne on 9658 9658.