barbarajoy | profile | all galleries >> Melbourne, My Home City - 6 galleries >> Melbourne's Parks and Gardens | tree view | thumbnails | slideshow |
"Founded in 1846, Melbourne's Royal Botanic Gardens is an inner-city oasis comprising 38 hectares of garden beds, tranquil lakes and sweeping lawns. It is home to almost 50,000 individual plants representing 8,500 different species from around the world." - guide
Two men who contributed immensely to the gardens were Ferdinand von Mueller, one of the world's greatest 19th C botanists, introduced a vast array of plants and established the National Herbarium of Victoria, and William Guilfoyle, an inspired landscape designer.
Offering varying beauty with the changing seasons, they provide a peaceful and inspirational escape from the bustling city.
Outside Melbourne city are the Australian Gardens of Australian flora and landscape, established in 1970 and very different to the city garden.
The Fitzroy Gardens are closer to the city centre and were laid out in 1848 with paths crossing the gardens in the form of the Union Jack flag, a most patriotic gesture from a new British colony in those days. These gardens have many interesting added features, loved by generations of children and accompanying adults. The Fairies Tree is beside a model English Tudor village and Captain Cook's Cottage (James Cook explored the east coast of Australia in 1770), brought out from Whitby in England and rebuilt here has delighted people here for decades.
The St Kilda Road Boulevarde leading into the city to the Arts Centre from south is beautifully tree-lined and has many public gardens and open spaces, including Kings domain and the Victoria Gardens.
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Alla Gilbourd | 16-Sep-2020 12:12 | |
Nestor Derkach | 16-May-2020 09:19 | |
Paolo Peggi (aka Bracciodiferro) | 29-Dec-2016 12:58 | |