Royal Botanic Gardens

RoyalBotanicGardens-SML

NB. The following information was current at the time of the event

Distance:  4.5 Km   |  Duration:  2 Hrs   |  Grade:  TBA   |  Rating:    |  Style:  Return   |  Map

About the Walk

Overview

The Royal Botanic Gardens has huge shady trees, an ornamental lake and amazing plants from many countries. It also has indigenous plantings and a Children's Garden.  Walking and picniking on the lawns is welcome.

The Walk in Detail

The Royal Botanic Gardens has huge shady trees, an ornamental lake and amazing plants from many countries. It also has indigenous plantings and a Children's Garden. Walking and picniking on the lawns is welcome.

Tracks are sealed or firm gravel, pram and wheelchair friendly.  No bicycle riding permitted. Gentle gradients and some stairs to reach the Shrine of Remembrance forecourt.

From tram stop 18 face the Shrine of Remembrance and walk to the left then turn right up Anzac Avenue to Birdwood Avenue (to avoid stairs at the Shrine) or hard right up the impressive promenade (some stairs) that leads to the Shrine forecourt.  At the top turn around for a splendid view toward the City then follow the path clockwise around the façade, passing the historic statue of The Man with the Donkey.  The Shrine's Visitor Centre is on your right (open 10am-5pm daily).   Continue around the Shrine's façade and turn left at the Legacy Garden, crossing the road to the Royal Botanic Gardens.

Collect information from the Visitor Centre straight ahead. Enter the Gardens through the Observatory Gate and note the Weather Station immediately on your left followed by whimsical animal topiary which points to the Children's Garden on your right - a must-see for all young children (check opening hours).  Cross the next track, watching for vehicles, and at the T-junction marked by a tall slender sculpture, turn left.

Follow the signs to the Rose Pavilion with its elegant cupola roof (shelter and seats).  Pass to the left of the pavilion noting the Government House Tower on your left and, looking right, beautiful vistas down to the Ornamental Lake.

Go past some steps and then a track to the left which goes to the Plant Craft Cottage (check opening hours) before taking the next fork to the left past the impressive Memorial Wall.  Option: Turn left up the stairs through the Grey Garden, a remarkable display of plants that require little watering, to visit the Temple of the Winds, overlooking the Yarra, and the soccer stadium.  Return down the stairs.

Take the path on the left and follow the sign to the Clematis Pavilion (shelter and seats) past the Southern Chinese Collection.  At the Pavilion turn hard right to cross the bridge to Long Island which features the fascinating local Lower Yarra river habitat.   Cross the bridge and turn left around the lake and follow the signs to toilets and Tea Rooms.

At the William Tell Rest House (shelter and seats) turn right up a gradual hill and follow the signs to the Fern Gully.  Turn left onto a smaller track which winds through the Fern Gully, a restful shady area of tall palms and tree ferns, crossing two paths before the small track finishes at a main sealed path.  The tracks in the Fern Gully have slightly irregular surfaces so prams and wheelchairs may need assistance or could choose to stay on main paths and go around the Fern Gully.

Follow directions to the two Glasshouses, keeping the Rain Garden on your left: the Cacti and Succulent Glasshouse (hot, dry and spiky) and the Tropical Glasshouse (lush, green and steamy), both worth a visit (Open: 10am-4pm).  On exiting the glasshouses turn right and follow the signs to the Australian Rainforest Walk, which has information boards about Australian forests.

You have now almost reached the highest point of the Gardens so note Gate D on your right and then take the right-hand path past the Eucalypt Lawn before turning left down the hill, past Guilfoyle's Volcano Project on your right.  Follow this path past the Tecoma Pavilion (shelter and seats) fairly close to the fence all the way to the lowest corner at Gate A because it is a gentle downhill route and alternative routes are steeper.

Turn hard left following the sign to the Ornamental Lake to head for the Tea Rooms and the lake.  View the Separation Tree on the left at the next fork but then bear right to the Tea Rooms and lake.  Pass the café on your left and walk to the William Tell Rest House again.  Turn left up a gradual hill and follow the signs back to the Observatory Gate.  Retrace your steps across the Shrine forecourt and down to the tram stop.

Variations:  The walk can be lengthened by following other paths in the Gardens.  Refer to map available at Visitor Centre.  Walk can be shorted by following signs 'Tea Rooms' for a rest by the ornamental lake or signs to 'Observatory Gate' to exit the Gardens.

Other Walks

The City of Melbourne is blessed with many beautiful public parks and gardens.  Consider exploring the:

Treasury and Fitzroy Gardens Melway 2G A3)
Carlton Gardens Melway 2B J9-11)
Flagstaff Gardens (Melway 2F A1)
Royal Park (Melway 2A and 2B, start at 2A H4).

Getting There

Train:  Take train into Flinders Street Station, then catch a tram or walk.  Once over the Yarra River you can walk through parks all the way to the Botanic Gardens (take left hand side of St Kilda Rd heading out of town).

Tram: Trams 3, 5, 6, 8, 64, 67 and 72 from Flinders Street Station in Swanston Street.  Get off at Stop 18, Coventry Street

Car:  There is limited street parking in Birdwood Avenue, St Kilda Rd, Anderson Street and Domain Rd.  Parking heavily used by office workers and local residents.

Public transport timetables

Walk Precautions

No fences around the lake

Additional Information

APV002 - Toilets APV001 - Information APV003 - Access For People With Limted Mobility APV007 - Picnic Shelter


Yes
TBA

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