Royal Botanic Gardens Melbourne
Royal Botanic Gardens Victoria, Melbourne Gardens
Lakes and lawns a short walk from the city
- Hours
- Daily 7:30am–7:30pm; Visitor Centre 9:30am–5pm
- Tickets
- Free; Aboriginal Heritage Walk from A$40 (book on the official site)
- Address
- South of the river, just east of the Shrine of Remembrance on Birdwood Avenue
Cross the river and lawns and huge old trees roll away over the hills. Black swans drift on the central lake, and from the waterside benches you can just make out city towers above the canopy. Paths fork everywhere, so wander without a map and you'll stumble into a fern gully or a cactus garden. It's free, which makes it easy to slot an hour in between city sights.