Melbourne Suburban Parks and Gardens

Albert Park, South Melbourne

Visited April, 2005
Albert Park lake, Grand Prix circuit, Melbourne Sports and Aquatic Centre, Albert Park Golf Course. Dogs allowed on a leash.

Open: 24 hrs
Contact details on Parks Victoria web site

Any tram along Swanston St, or City Circle tram, or train to Melbourne Central Station

Aura Vale Lake Park (Cardinia Reservoir Parks)

North of Cardinia Reservoir the lake is part of the major waterways system. Boating for small non-powered boats up to 3.3 metres. No swimming permitted due to hazards. Fishing from banks is permitted, but not for eating - licence required. Picnic area (bring your own gas BBQ).

Dogs permitted on a leash.

Part of a drainage system designed to channel run-off water

For opening hours and contact details see Parks Victoria web site

Menzies Creek

Aura Vale Lake is approximately 2 kilometres frpm Emerald on Wellington Road. The main access area is the Henley Picnic Park.

Banksia Park

On the upper part of the main Yarra bike trail.

For opening hours and contact details see Parks Victoria web site

Vehicle entry is available from Templestowe Road, Bulleen

Banyule Flats Reserve

On the upper part of main yarra bike trail. Grassy wetlands. Banyule Homestead built in 1848. Ovals, playgrounds, walking and bike paths.
See also Friends of the Yarra Valley Parks.

For opening hours and contact details see Banyule local council web site

Banyule Road, Viewbank, VIC 3084

Birrurrung Park

33 hectare park at the confluence of the Plenty and Yarra Rivers. On the upper part of the main Yarra bike trail. Picnic pavilion with wood fired barbecues. Adventure playground.

For opening hours and contact details see Parks Victoria web site.

Vehicle entry is available from Templestowe Road, Bulleen

Boeing Reserve

Alongside the Moonee Ponds Creek on the Moonee Ponds Creek bike trail. Sports ground, tennis courts, barbecue facilities.

For opening and contact details see the City of Moonee Valley web site.

Boeing Road, Strathmore Heights VIC 3041

Caloola Reserve

For opening and contact details see the web site. Dog off-leash areas. See also City of Monash web site Scotchmans Run Reserve.

Oakleigh VIC, Australia

Catani Gardens

A heritage-listed palm-lined garden beside the ocean. Memorials and statues, Sali Cleve drinking fountain, barbecue facilities and playground.

For opening and contact details see the City of Port Philip web site.

Beaconsfield Parade, Saint Kilda.see map Saint Kilda foreshore area

Collingwood Childrens Farm

Entry fee applicable. Car parking available.
On the lower part of the main Yarra bike trail, part of the capital city bike trail.
Farmer's market, cow milking, feeding animals. Farm cafe (www.farmcafe.com.au).

For opening hours and contact details see Collingwood Childrens Farm web site

End of St Heliers St, Abbotsford
Getting there by train: Epping or Hurstbridge line train to Victoria Park train station. 5-10 minute walk east along Getting there by bus: 200, 201 and 207 from Lonsdale St, alight at Clarke St.
web site

Commonwealth Reserve

On the western coastal bike trail

For opening and contact details see the Hobsons Bay City Council web site.

Nelson Place, Williamstown VIC 3016

Como Park

Once the grounds for Como House, a National Trust site featuring an historic building and gardens. Looks across the river to Herring Island Park. On the Capital City bike trail.

Opening hours and contact details see Como House web site

Corner Williams Rd & Lechlade Ave, South Yarra
Number 58 Toorak tram from Swanston Street

Cross Keys Reserve

On the Moonee Ponds Creek bike trail

A large park with three football/cricket ovals and pavilion, small dogs-off-leash area. Naturalised path. A red gum totem pole sculpture by Glenn Romanis with seats made from River Redgum, pier pylons and basalt rock. It is part of the Moonee Ponds Creek totems series.

For opening and contact details see the City of Moonee Valley web site.

Bridge St, Strathmore VIC 3041
Number 58 Toorak tram from Swanston Street to 42-Reynard St/Melville Rd

(Mt) Dandenong Tourist Road

Connects several gardens open to the public. Great Devonshire teas, gift and handcraft stores.

Mt Dandenong Tourist Rd, Upper Ferntree Gully, Vic 3156

Darling Park

Darling Park is situated along Gardiner's Creek in Malvern East. It has three ovals for football or cricket, a playground, barbecue area, picnic tables and off leash dog park.

On the Gardiners Creek Trail for cyclists and joggers.

For opening and contact details see the City of Stonnington web site.

37 Darling Park, Dunlop Street, Glen Iris
Train to Darling station on the Glen Waverley line or Bus route 612 along Albion Road

Edwardes Lake Park

Edwardes Lake Park is an important connector for local habitat along Edgars Creek and is a popular regional destination for informal community gatherings and recreation. (web site)

Heavily used Griffiths Street all abilities playspace, skate park, new public toilet and changing places facility near the Griffiths Street, wooden sound arch, old steam train, fitness equipment, Edwardes Lake, dogs and cats permitted off lead. Phone Darebin council for athletic track use.

For opening and contact details see the City of Darebin web site.

Edwardes St & Griffiths St Reservoir
Train 1.1km from Reservoir Station. 50m from bus stop on Edwardes St.

Fairway Reserve

Open: every day. Gates open to vehicles 7:30 a.m. and close

For opening and contact details see the City web site.

Forster Road, Mt Waverley

Footscray Park

Heritage listed edwardian gardens, a monument to Henry Lawson and views of Flemington and the city. On the Marirynong River bike trail.

Finns Reserve

On the upper part of the main Yarra bike trail

For opening and contact details see the web site.

Five Mile Creek Reserve

On the Moonee Ponds Creek bike trail

For opening and contact details see the web site.

Glen Iris Park

For opening and contact details see the web site.

Greenwich Reserve

On the western coastal bike trail

For opening and contact details see the web site.

HA Smith Reserve

For opening and contact details see the web site.

Heidi Park

On the upper part of the main Yarra bike trail. Features include the Museum of Modern Art, a collection of modern art built around the private collection of the Reeds.

For opening and contact details see the web site.

Herring Island Park

An artifical island created in part by early quarrying, now a recreational and conservation area under development. On the lower part of the main Yarra bike trail, part of the capital city bike trail; Open:

For opening and contact details see the web site.

Jacobs Reserve

A long-established suburban park.

Playground with adventure equipment, table, seating, drinking tap. Access to Scout /Guide hall. Close to public transport. Stair access from Melville Road, alternative access along Albion St, down Jolley Street.

Opening hours and contact details: This park is open all hours. For more information see moreland.vic.gov.au web site

180E Melville Road, Brunswick West
Tram 58 Stop 38 (past corner Albion & Melville Roads, Brunswick West)

Jacana Reserve

On the Moonee Ponds Creek bike trail

For opening and contact details see the web site.

Jells Park

Open: every day. Gates open to vehicles 7:30 a.m. and close 4 p.m.-dusk (4 p.m. weekdays during mid-winter, 5 p.m. weekends and public holidays extending to 9 p.m. in mid-summer)

Ph.: 9562 2960

John Pascoe Fawkner Reserve

On the Moonee ponds Creek bike trail

For opening and contact details see the web site.

Kevin Bartlett Reserve

On the lower part of the main Yarra bike trail, part of the capital city bike trail.

For opening and contact details see the web site.

Kingsford Smith Ulm Reserve

On the Moonee Ponds Creek bike trail

For opening and contact details see the web site.

Kooyong Park

For opening and contact details see the web site.

Lebanon Reserve

On the Moonee Ponds Creek bike trail.

For opening and contact details see the web site.

MCH Reserve

For opening and contact details see the web site.

Nettleton Park Reserve

For opening and contact details see the web site.

Ormond Park

On the Moonee Ponds Creek bike trail.

For opening and contact details see the web site.

Pipemakers Park

An important historical site, repurposed for recreation, Pipemakers Park includes rare industrial buildings from the mid-nineteenth century.

Barbecue, bicycle path along the river, drinking fountain, picnic table, rotunda, seating, walking path

Opening hours and contact details: see Maribrynong City Council web site

2 Van Ness Avenue, Maribyrnong
Trams 82 from Footscray Railway Station or 57 from Flinders Street Station, Melbourne.

Point Ormond Reserve

For opening and contact details see the web site.

Princes Park, Melbourne, Victoria

Monday to Saturday, Northbound tram 55 or 56 from William St. Sunday only - Northbound tram 68 from Elizabeth to stop 25

Saint Kilda Botanic Gardens

An established botanic garden dating from the 1800s. Registered with Heritage Victoria. Alister Clarke Rose Garden created in the 1950s.

After closing there is a turnstile exit into Herbert Street.

Accessible toilets, giant chessboard and chess tables, ornamental pond with Rain Man fountain, local indigenous plants, children's playground, gazebo, glasshouses/conservatory, rotunda, public toilets, picnic tables, Port Phillip EcoCentre, dogs permitted on-leash but not permitted within 5 metres of the playground

web site.
Friends of St Kilda Botanic Gardens

Opening hours and contact details: see Maribrynong City Council web site

11 Herbert Street, St Kilda (bordered by Dickens Street, Tennyson Street and Blessington Streets)
96 tram to the Acland Street/Barkly Street junction and walk along Blessington Street or 67 tram to Brighton Road/Mozart Street junction and walk along Mozart Street. Or catch the Sandringham train to Balaclava station, walk or catch a tram west along Carlisle Street, cross St Kilda Road, walk one block along Blessington Street.

Strathnaver Reserve

On the Moonee Ponds Creek bike trail

For opening and contact details see the web site.

Travancore Park

On the Moonee Ponds Creek bank trail

For opening and contact details see the web site.

Victorian State Rose Garden

4,500 roses from more than 100 species. Part of the 10 hectares of historic gardens which surround Werribee Park.

see Werribee Park

K Road, Werribee, Victoria.

Werribee Park

Mansion, Victorian State Rose Garden, Riverina Grasslands, Farm.

Open from 10 a.m. each day except Christmas day

Ph: 13 19 63 and

(03) 9741 2444
Fax (03) 9742 9623

K Road, Werribee, Victoria.

Wattle Park

For opening and contact details see the web site.

Take No 70. Tram

Westerfolds Park

On the upper part of the main Yarra bike trail

For opening and contact details see the web site.

Westgate Park

For opening and contact details see the web site.

Williamstown Botanical Gardens

Established in 1860, these gardens are just across the street from the bay. They are on the Western Coastal Bike Trail

Willowbrook Reserve

On the Moonee Ponds Creek bike trail

For opening and contact details see the web site.

Willsmere Park

On the lower part of the main Yarra trail, part of the capital city bike trail.

For opening and contact details see the web site.

Yarra Bend National Park

A wilderness area in suburban Melbourne offering walks, bike paths, picnic facilities, and fly-casting pool.

Open: park is an unenclosed area.

Contact: Parks Victoria web site

By vehicle along Eastern Freeway.