Fitzroy Gardens
Fitzroy Gardens
4.5
Points of Interest & LandmarksParksGardens
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Monday
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Tuesday
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Wednesday
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Thursday
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Friday
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Saturday
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Sunday
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
About
Fitzroy Gardens is one of Melbourne’s most historic and beautiful Gardens. Originally set aside as a reserve in 1848, the layout follows a classic Victorian–era design, featuring pathways lined with magnificent Elm trees, and a variety of flowers, ornamental shrubs and trees which together with extensive lawns create a diverse and layered landscape. Points of interest include the magnificent floral displays in the Spanish mission style Conservatory. Cooks Cottage, a scarred tree, the Fairies’ Tree and model tudor village, sculptures, fountains and a stormwater cleaning and re-use system. The Fitzroy Gardens visitor centre provides tourism information and entry tickets to Cooks Cottage. A free guided walking tour departs from the visitor centre every Saturday at 10am. Refreshments are available from KereKere cafe at the visitor centre.
Suggested duration
< 1 hour
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  • Alison S
    North Yorkshire, United Kingdom88 contributions
    Lovely Gardens, with other small attractions, worth a visit
    Lovely gardens, easily accessible. Lots to see in a fairly compact area. Lots of areas of open, grass space to sit. Numerous water refill sights and accessible toilets. Don’t forget to see the model village, Cook’s cottage all the way from Yorkshire, England and lots of water features. We went there for a walk on Christmas Day. Easy to get to from CBD, about 30 min walk or take the free trams plus a short walk.
    Visited December 2022
    Written 25 December 2022
  • Karen M
    Daylesford, Australia1,346 contributions
    If you are visiting Melbourne, don't miss these lovely gardens.
    These beautiful gardens are always a pleasure to visit in any season. I often walk through them on my way to the MCG & try to walk a different way each time. There are plenty of water features, an ornamental lake, a conservatory & a Fairies tree among other attractions.
    Visited December 2022
    Written 2 January 2023
  • BlueNoseBrother
    Edinburgh, United Kingdom341 contributions
    Well laid out park and Gardens.
    Very well laid out Gardens and parks. Some lovely bedding displays and a great area to walk, relax, and watch the world go past. It is also home to some tourist attractions such as Captain Cooks cottage, Sinclairs Cottage, and the Fairy tree. All worth a look if you're a visitor. It is a relaxing spot in the busy city centre. It is also close to the Melbourne Cricket Ground.
    Visited January 2023
    Travelled as a couple
    Written 3 January 2023
  • Wesley C
    Tucson, Arizona9,878 contributions
    Pretty Public Park in Heart of the City
    Fitzroy Gardens is a large public park (64 acres) in the heart of downtown Melbourne. Dates back to 1850s. Visited River God Fountain (1862, the first fountain in the park) and Dolphin Fountain (added in 1982). Site of Capt. James Cook's Family Cottage, which was built in Yorkshire England in 1755. It was dismantled, shipped to Australia, and rebuilt in Fitzroy Gardens in 1934. The Park is covered with immense trees and has several pretty flower gardens scattered throughout. Worth exploring if you're in the area.
    Visited November 2022
    Written 13 January 2023
  • Gags
    18 contributions
    Fitzroy Garden-Melbourne
    Beautiful garden in the heart of the city, great waterbodies, flower and mature trees, great for morning walk, MCG stadium is 2 minute walk Originally set aside as a reserve in 1848, the gardens were named after Sir Charles Augustus Fitzroy, Governor of NSW. The gardens were laid out in 1859 and were developed as a garden under the supervision of Deputy Surveyor-General Clement Hodgkinson, with the assistance of gardener James Sinclair. The layout follows a classic Victorian era design, featuring pathways lined with magnificent elm trees, known to be some of the best grown in Victoria. There are a variety of flowers and ornamental shrubs and trees, which together with extensive lawns creates a diverse and layered landscape. The watercourse that runs through the centre of the gardens is an ephemeral tributary of the Yarra River, Birrarung. The Scarred Tree in the south-east section of the gardens is associated with the pre-colonial use of the area by Aboriginal peoples and it is registered on the Aboriginal Heritage Register. The tree was a redgum, one of a number of remnant redgum found in the gardens. The gardens contain several buildings and structures which are of architectural significance in their own right, including the Band Pavilion (1864), Sinclair's Cottage (1866) and the Rotunda (1873).
    Visited November 2022
    Travelled on business
    Written 21 January 2023
  • bookjd
    248 contributions
    Gorgeous Gardens
    The parks and gardens in Melbourne are gorgeous and the Fitzroy Gardens were no exception. A fun morning walking through the gardens. You felt like you were a million miles away from the city. Beautifully manicured and maintained. Great respite from the bustle of the city.
    Visited January 2023
    Written 23 February 2023
  • ITRT
    38,566 contributions
    Garden Wonderland
    Fitzroy Gardens has tree-lined pathways, shrubs, and other interesting things such as Captain Cooks’ Cottage, a model Tudor Village, a conservatorium, a playground, and several statues. Captain Cooks’ cottage was dismantled and shipped in 253 packing crates in 1934 from Yorkshire, England to Melbourne. We visited in December and the flowers in the conservatory were, in a word, stunning. The vibrant colors and bloom varieties gave no indication it was winter. The carvings on the Fairies Trees are of Australian animals and birds. Gifted by the residents of Lambeth England, the 28 model buildings represent a typical Tudor village. If you visit, I am sure you will agree it’s a great place to walk, jog, relax, enjoy a picnic, or simply enjoy nature.
    Visited December 2022
    Written 4 March 2023
  • Sarah K
    Honolulu, Hawaii89 contributions
    Nice park, worth a visit
    Lovely green space in the city. Found another hidden gem with each turn. The kids thought it was marvelous. They liked the fairy tree AMR little village the best. I enjoyed the Cook’s cottage video quite a bit.
    Visited March 2023
    Travelled with family
    Written 23 March 2023
  • DordogneAnglais
    Cambridge, United Kingdom79 contributions
    Delightful place for a walk, a sit, a break and a chance to spot some wildlife
    I stayed in Melbourne just over a week and visited Fitzroy Gardens almost every day that I was there. The weather was a little less than brilliantly sunny, but everything else about the place is just wonderful. The gardens themselves are interesting, beautiful, peaceful and very very well-kept. Cook's Cottage and the little tourist shop/cafe are perfectly pleasant, and so are the fountains, Fairy tree, conservatory, but for me, it was the wildlife that made it. I didn't see any possums, although they are apparently fairly commonplace, but I did see a kookaburra and plenty of other birds I would never see in UK. Nearby Treasury Gardens are almost as good. Just lovely.
    Visited April 2023
    Travelled solo
    Written 26 May 2023
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4.5
1,646 reviews
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Steve W
Sheffield, UK11 contributions
Aug. 2023
It’s always further to walk than it looks, but a worthwhile relaxation close to the city. Don’t miss Captain Cooks Cottage.
Written 21 August 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

soundsverygood
South Pole424 contributions
Aug. 2023 • Couples
After some of the grungy streets of Melbourne it was nice to wander through the park from north to south stopping via the conservatory.
Written 20 August 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

JnVSydney
Greater Sydney, Australia18,330 contributions
Jun. 2023
Within walking distance of the CBD, stands this beautiful open green space, with old tree lined walking avenues, ponds and the odd cascade, also home, to Captain Cooks, english residence, and a lovely conservatory, definitely a must visit.
Written 13 July 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

2CAtravelers
Brattleboro, VT876 contributions
Mar. 2023
This is a beautiful place for a stroll, a picnic lunch, or even just to read a book. It's a lovely space just east of the CBD and adjacent to the Pullman on the Park hotel where you could easily go for some refreshments.
Written 1 June 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Questovia
Wells, ME1,170 contributions
Feb. 2023 • Friends
I was dazzled by the beauty of these gardens and the lovely conservatory with its profusion of colorful flowers. There are lovely paved walks and ample opportunities to sit for a bit and enjoy this beautiful garden in the city.
Written 30 May 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

DordogneAnglais
Cambridge, UK79 contributions
Apr. 2023 • Solo
I stayed in Melbourne just over a week and visited Fitzroy Gardens almost every day that I was there. The weather was a little less than brilliantly sunny, but everything else about the place is just wonderful. The gardens themselves are interesting, beautiful, peaceful and very very well-kept. Cook's Cottage and the little tourist shop/cafe are perfectly pleasant, and so are the fountains, Fairy tree, conservatory, but for me, it was the wildlife that made it. I didn't see any possums, although they are apparently fairly commonplace, but I did see a kookaburra and plenty of other birds I would never see in UK. Nearby Treasury Gardens are almost as good. Just lovely.
Written 26 May 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Brian C
Melbourne, Australia13 contributions
Apr. 2023 • Solo
Lovely gardens, great cafe, lovely pond to sit and have a cake, bargain price, really lovely to see and enjoy nature at its best.
Written 5 May 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Heather A
13 contributions
Mar. 2023
lovely spacious gardens that are well maintained with plenty of water features. Must have been something on that following weekend as there were marquees being erected
Written 28 April 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

PeteLucy434
Uxbridge, UK2,073 contributions
Mar. 2023
Often overlooked, these gardens are not to be missed with any visit to Melbourne. Great flora and much to see.
Written 11 April 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Pete H
4 contributions
Mar. 2023
Went there as a family for a picnic. It was a nice day and there were some great spots for sitting.

We went there with our kids, threw a frisbee around. A few nice cafes not too far away either.
Written 11 April 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

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