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The Domain Parklands is a wedge-shaped precinct, sitting between the south bank of the river and one of the city’s major thoroughfares, St Kilda Road.
On this walk you explore an extensive network of historic gardens, including the Alexandra Gardens, Queen Victoria Gardens, King’s Domain, the Royal Botanic Gardens and the Shrine Reserve. Most of these parks were established in the early 1900s.
The area was cleared of trees in the early years of Victoria’s colonial history. When gold was discovered in the 1850s Melbourne’s population increased dramatically and a ‘tent city’ sprang up in this area.
The Domain Parklands is now richly furnished with historic 
monuments, huge old trees, beautiful flower beds, features and follies.
The walk will take one to two hours with the option of returning to the city on foot or by a St Kilda Road tram.
Your walk begins at the Princes Bridge, then down to your left to:
Alexandra Gardens
Established in 1904. Rowing club buildings line the river bank,
and are full of activity morning and evening as rowers head down to the water to train. It’s a long-standing tradition along
the Yarra.
Another point of interest is the:
1 Star Bed
This garden bed is believed to represent the ‘Federation Star’ featured on the Australian flag and the six states that joined the Federation of Australia in 1901.
Walk along the path beside Alexandra Avenue, passing the Riverslide Skatepark and a collection of stately old palm trees. Cross at the traffic lights into parkland richly endowed with sculptures and monuments.
Queen Victoria Gardens
The state of Victoria is named after Queen Victoria, queen of the British Empire between 1837 and 1901 (and the City of Melbourne was named after her first Prime Minister, Lord Melbourne). The 
Queen and her son, King Edward VII, are honoured in this garden.
2 Queen Victoria Monument
In a commanding position stands a white marble figure of Queen Victoria. The statue base is adorned with figures representing progress, history, wisdom and justice.
Follow the path between the ponds to:
3 Edward VII Memorial
Queen Victoria’s eldest son Edward was born in 1841. He waited a long time before becoming King (following the death of his mother) in 1901. His reign ended just nine years later with his death in 1910.
Down the hill, on a steeply sloping bank that faces St Kilda Rd is the:
4 Floral clock
With a display of 7,000 colourful plants, the floral clock has been a favourite Melbourne landmark since its installation in 1966. The mechanism was a goodwill gift to the City of Melbourne from the watchmakers of Switzerland.
Walk back up the hill past the Queen Victoria monument to the grey pavilion with the copper dome:
5 Janet Lady Clarke memorial
This pavilion commemorates Janet, the wife of wealthy philanthropist William Clarke and Australia’s first baronet (in 1882). The Clarkes have been honoured for their generous support of many causes. A statue of Sir William stands in the Treasury Gardens.
Cross Linlithgow Avenue at the traffic lights to:
The King’s Domain
The King’s Domain parkland borders Victoria’s Government House and features extensive lawns, a diverse collection of mature trees and native wildlife. Look out for Pied Mudlarks (or Pee Wees) as they are often found here feeding on insects in the soil.
The crossing takes you directly to:
6 The Tan Track
The ‘Tan’, a wide gravel path, is often crowded with walkers and joggers, especially when city workers take to the 4km circuit during their lunch break. The name refers back to the days when the path served as a horse exercise track and was surfaced with tan bark.
Slightly to the left, on the hill above the Tan Track, is:
7 The Burial Stone
A granite boulder marks the site where the remains of 38 Aboriginal people were interred after being held in a museum collection for many years.
From the crossing a right turn and a walk of about 50 metres will take you to a wide path leading to the:
8 King George V Memorial
This imposing monument of bronze, granite and sandstone includes a full-length statue of King George V in ceremonial robes. The park was named in his honour.
Looking back towards the river is the:
9 Sidney Myer Music Bowl
A favourite venue for Melburnians, the Sidney Myer Music Bowl was opened in 1959 and has since hosted open air concerts of every musical genre. It is the traditional location for ‘Carols by Candlelight’ each December.
Follow the path and directions to the:
10 Pioneer Women’s Memorial Garden
This sunken, formal garden, with its crucifix-shaped canal and small bronze female figure was built in recognition of pioneering women and their role in the foundation of Victoria.
11 Tilly Aston bell
In 1895, Tilly Aston founded the Association for the Blind, now known as Vision Australia. This small interactive sculpture appeals to the senses of sight, sound and touch.
Close by, surrounded by a low hedge is:
12 The Gazebo
The Gazebo, a fine place for parties and celebrations, is
also known as the Stapley Pavilion.
At this point you have an excellent view of Victoria’s Government House. If you’re comfortable walking down fairly steep stairs, you might like to explore just a little further along:
13 The Grotto
The original quarry that supplied stone for steps and walkways in the nearby Botanic Gardens has been landscaped with rockeries, tiny paths, pools and a hidden fern gully.
As you leave the Grotto, walk back about 100 metres towards the Pioneer Women’s Garden. At the junction of the pathways, follow the direction signs to the Shrine and Government House.
The path follows a colourful garden border, screening the grounds of Government House. After crossing Government House Drive at the impressive gates, look through the trees on the left to discover:
14 Australian Hellenic Memorial
This memorial, with classic grey marble columns, was unveiled in 2001 to commemorate Australians and Greeks who: “stood together in 1941 to defend Greece”.
15 The Maltese War Memorial
A major pathway leads walkers through this memorial.
An open timber structure above and panels either side
pay tribute to the people of Malta, and to those who
served in her defence.
You’re back on the Tan Track and on your way to the:
16 Observatory Gate and entry to the Royal Botanic
Gardens The old observatory with its silver dome sits beside the main formal entrance of the botanic gardens, home to a
collection of thousands of plants sourced from all over
the world.
Follow the Tan Track to the National Herbarium. A cross-walk over Birdwood Avenue leads to:
17 LaTrobe’s Cottage
This prefabricated cottage was home to Victoria’s first governor. Guided tours of the building are available. Contact the National Trust: 9656 9800 for bookings and information.
Turn back along the footpath to the:
18 Shrine of Remembrance
The Shrine of Remembrance is listed on Heritage
Victoria’s register of Buildings of Significance. Along with
the shrine and its forecourt, other points of interest
include the Eternal Flame, the Lone Pine, the statue of
Simpson and his Donkey and much more.
Walk through the Shrine Reserve towards St Kilda Road to:
19 MacRobertson Fountain and 20 Walker Fountain
Melbourne’s many fountains were installed in times
when water was freely available. Today, some can be
operated with recycled water for limited periods and
others have been turned off.
On the way back to your starting point, look out for:
21 Statues and monuments
This collection honours statesmen, war heroes and, more recently, police who have died on duty. Memorials to the
Marquis of Linlithgow, General Monash, Sir Thomas Blamey, Weary Dunlop and the Victorian Police can be seen along the path.