First reserved in 1862, the park is named after Melbourne's co-founder John Pascoe Fawkner and remains substantially unchanged from its original design.

Extending over 41 hectares, the park is roughly rectangular in shape and crossed by a series of straight paths lined with avenues of Moreton Bay Figs, Elms, Poplars and Oaks.

Special features include:

• two art-deco brick pavilions, circa 1930s; 
• a tennis club with six synthetic courts and a cafe;
• the playgrounds providing fun for a wide age range; 
• the South Yarra Senior Citizens Centre (phone 9820 2760);
• the Fawkner Park Children's Centre (child care, phone 9820 2758); 
• sports grounds (the summer weekend cricket matches have a 'village green' atmosphere); and
• space for picnics and barbecues (the on-site barbecues are free, no bookings are required for groups of less than 50 people)