Royal Botanic Gardens, Melbourne

 
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22 Reviews of Royal Botanic Gardens4.5 out of 5 stars4.5

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Go Green! The Royal Botanical Gardens
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xuessium 1418 reviews
RoyalBotanicalGardens

Every major Aussie city has a Botanical Garden and the one in Melbourne is no less spectacular.

Occupying a vast piece of land at the Southeast corner of the city, this is one place you should venture into to enjoy some city serenity. Founded in 1846, the Gardens occupied more than 36 hectares of land and displays more than 52000 individual plants. There are lakes and lovely pathways, made for good wholesome family fun. When I was there, the Gardens were occupied with Melbournians enjoying picnics or a lazy day under the sun.

The Gardens open daily, closes at 5.30pm in Autumn/Winter and at 8.30pm Spring/Summer.

Come during Autumn and there is an Autumn Discovery Walk, held free. (11am & 2pm daily except Mons, Good Friday and Anzac Day)

At the gate of the Gardens, you will also find the Old Melbourne Observatory. There is a Monday night program called the 'Southern Night Sky Experience' and a program focused on the moon, called 'Lunar Tours'. Special tours, like the "Saturn Returns" tours are also held.

Also nearby is the Shrine of Remembrance, built in remembrance of those who served and those who died in the Great War of 1914-1918 and armed conflicts and peacekeeping duties since. It is meant to be a permanent and lasting memorial to the ANZAC spirit. Walk through the outer galleries of medals to see the number of campaigns Australia was involved in. Both the Crypt and The Sanctuary contain memorials dedicated to the spirit of national kinship. For a Singaporean, I was both surprised and moved to see the "Changi Flag", a British Union Jack that was kept by Allied POWs interned at Changi Prison Camp and contained the signatures of 91 Australians.

Lastly, don't forget to make your way to the Balcony for great views of the Melbourne bay areas.

Updated Apr 4, 2011

Related to:
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 Hiking and Walking
 Romantic Travel and Honeymoons

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Moonlight Cinema at the Royal Botanical Gardens
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michelyse 7 reviews
The Moonlight Cinema experience

Grab a picnic rug and head to the Royal Botanic Gardens Melbourne for Australia's leading outdoor cinema experience. Featuring the best in new release film and classic cinema, the Moccona Moonlight Cinema season runs until 06 Mar 2004.

Tickets

Adult $14.50. Concession $11.50. Pensioner / Child (under 13) $10.00.

Tickets can be booked through Ticketek 132 849, Ticketek online or purchased at the gate from 7.00pm. Service fees apply to pre-booked tickets.

Updated Apr 4, 2011

Address: Royal Botanical Gardens

Phone: 9428 2203

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King's Domain
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leffe3 2177 reviews
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A huge area of parkland on the edge of the CBD that includes the Botanic Gardens, Shrine of Remembrance, Alexandra Gardens, Governor's House etc. It may not have the location of Sydney's Botanic Gardens, but nevertheless this is the heart and lungs of Melbourne.

It's a wonderful area that mixes formal gardens with bushland landscapes teeming with birdlife - and you may well bump into groups such as Hare Krishna, community dance groups, tai chi and yoga exponents taking advantage of the wide open spaces. And many a picnicker too...

Updated Feb 12, 2011

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Strolling along
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iandsmith 5359 reviews
...but with whom?
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There are several options when it comes to walks, the one I took takes you past the lookout and the swamp before circling back past the dam.
To be perfectly honest, the panorama from the lookout tower was fairly ordinary. I believe it needs to be about 5 metres taller before it becomes really interesting.
Strolling along the well made tracks I was fortunate enough to encounter an echidna who lurched out of the scrub and made strides towards me (pic 2) before turning into the bush again. They're almost blind so you don't have to worry about them seeing you but they are very sensitive to noise and ground tremor.
The wildflowers, predominantly white, border the tracks in spring (pic 4) and I also managed to snap a butterfly (pic 3).
There's also a picnic spot you can either walk or drive to if you want to spend more time here.
The last picture is of the children's playground area and shows how much imagination has been vested in this area.

Updated Oct 21, 2007

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 National/State Park

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Royal Botanic Gardens - for the record
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iandsmith 5359 reviews
Queen Victoria Gardens
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As you cross the Princes Bridge the first two parks you run into are Alexander and Queen Victoria, the Royal Botanical Gardens are at the other end of the park following St. Kilda Road.
Authority: State Government of Victoria (Royal Botanic Garden, Melbourne Board)
Established: 1846
Area: 38.9 ha
Location: Birdwood Ave, South Yarra
Entry Fees: None
Open: Mon to Sun 1 Nov to 30 Apr 7.30 am to 8.30 pm. 1 May to 30 Oct 7.30 am to 5.30 pm
Number of Paid Staff: >100
Number of Volunteers: >100
Planting Records: computer
% of Plants Labelled: 30%
% Native Aust Plants: 10%

Updated Jul 11, 2007

Phone: 03 - 9252 2300

Website: http://www.rbg.vic.gov.au

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 National/State Park

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Royal Botanic Gardens
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iandsmith 5359 reviews
Temple of Apollo - Queen Victoria Gardens
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There's a huge garden on one side of the Yarra but, it's actually a number of interlinked gardens; the Queen Victoria Gardens, the Alexandra Gardens (nearest the Yarra), the King's Domain and the Royal Botanic Gardens.
Steeped in the tradition of the classic English park, this expanse of cultured plant life is one of Melbourne's most famous attractions and who am I to dispute its drawing power.
Set adjacent to the Yarra on the other side to the CBD it offers a respite from the throb of city life and a variety of plant life unmatched in Australia.
There are many sidelights to the gardens such as the Governor's residence, the Children's Garden, cafes, splendid sculptures and such but overall its emphasis on greenery is never lost.

Updated Jul 10, 2007

Address: St. Kilda Road, Melbourne

Related to:
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 National/State Park

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My Favorite Thing about Melbourne (so far)
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Lacristina 143 reviews
Lovers at the Garden

Could there be a lovelier way to spend an afternoon in Melbourne than here? The Royal Botanic Garden is a true marvel - breathtakingly beautiful, even in wnter - around every bend you keep saying "Oh, oh, oh, look!"

Do NOT miss the gardens, whenever you visit.

Brilliant designs that seem so natural. A stroll can spirit away all the stress of your day - or deepen the sweet pangs of romance.

And bellbirds! You'll get to hear bellbirds!

A late afternoon Devonshire Tea at the cafe by the lake is the perfect way to end the day.

For more photos of these truly lovely Gardens, take a look at my travelogue:
Royal Botanic Gardens

http://members.virtualtourist.com/m/tt/6aae1/#TL

Updated Oct 20, 2005

Address: Birdwood Avenue, South Yarra

Phone: (613) 9252 2429.

Website: http://www.rbg.vic.gov.au/

Related to:
 Budget Travel

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Royal Botanical Gardens
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roamer61 617 reviews

These gardens are amongst Melbournes star attractions. Acres of beautiful landscaped grounds full of exotic vegetation set amid numerous ponds and walkways. There are also greenhouses where one can see both native and foreign plants.

Written Apr 21, 2005

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Nice gardens
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pugwashman 225 reviews
Cormorants on the Central Lake
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The Botannical Gardens are not far out of town, and are extensive. There are lakes, lawns, cafes, wildlife and all sorts of exotic trees and shrubs. We actually went to see the Fruit Bats that I'd read about but they weren't at home when we were there. I have a feeling they've been trying to keep them away as they ruin the rare trees. Still plenty to see though and we spent a few pleasant hours strolling around.

Updated Nov 28, 2004

Website: http://www.rbg.vic.gov.au/

Related to:
 National/State Park

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Peaceful and quiet
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knerten 311 reviews
Royal Botanic Gardens

Lush green gardens, winding pathways, hills and ponds, in some places you can't even see the city and feel like in the jungle (if it weren't for all the other people around you)
(Photos will be uploaded after Aug 9)

Written Aug 6, 2004

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