If you're used to city dwelling, then a walk through some of Melbourne's beautiful gardens could be just what you need to get back to nature. Gardens differ from parks because they are more about the experience rather than the amenities. Around Melbourne you'll find some fantastic gardens. They are great for admiring flora and horticulture, finding a secluded spot to enjoy your latest read, romantic picnics, or simply taking some time out. So from all of these beautiful places, which garden is Melbourne's best?
The Royal Botanic Gardens require an obvious mention. They are the largest gardens in Melbourne, and a place where you can experience plant species from all over the world. You can marvel at the bright colours, crisp leaves, and the intriguing and interesting flora. While you're at the gardens you can also enjoy food from the restaurant and cafe. During the warmer months the gardens transform into a magical
Moonlight Cinema, combining the beauty of the gardens with the culture of film.
The Treasury Gardens are small, but beautiful. There are a number of walking paths through the gardens for you to enjoy the whole scene. Otherwise you can find a nice spot and sit down on the grass for a picnic. There are some real enchanting walkways through these gardens, and you can at times feel like you've been transported to another place. These gardens are particularly popular with brushtail possums.
The Fitzroy Gardens are another place just out the outskirts of the City Centre. These gardens were classified by the National Trust and placed on the Victorian Heritage Register, and they remain historically and horticulturally significant to Melbourne. In the garden you'll be able to visit Cooks' Cottage, the home of Captain James Cook's parents, or you can head to the Conservatory. Children will also love the Fairies' Tree.
A unique garden experience, and a must see for green thumbs, would have to be the
Open Gardens project. Every month selected private gardens are opened to the public for a small fee. There are some fine gardens to see, and they are usually passionate works by their original cultivators. Children under 18 are admitted free, but otherwise the entrance fee ranges from about $6 to $10. This is a great way to experience some magnificent gardens that are usually impossible to get inside. Check out their
calendar to find out the gardens that will be open in Victoria.
So which of these gardens can claim to be the best in all of Melbourne? Have you discovered somewhere else that is equally deserving of the title? There are definitely some beautiful gardens out there, each delivering its own experience. It can be such a worthwhile opportunity to visit your local gardens, breath in the fresh air, and just relax for a while. So go ahead and visit some of these marvellous places, and when you're done, come back and tell us which one you liked the most.
