THE 10 BEST Parks & Nature Attractions in Melbourne
Nature & Parks in Melbourne
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Zoos • Gardens
Parkville
Admission tickets from AU$46
Recommended Outdoor Activities (157)
Revenue impacts these recommendations, learn more.
Points of Interest & Landmarks • Parks
Open now
Points of Interest & Landmarks • Architectural Buildings
Lygon Street
Aquariums
Central Business District
Nature & Wildlife Areas • Zoos
Parks • Playgrounds
Parkville
State Parks • Nature & Wildlife Areas
Biking Trails • Hiking Trails
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Tours, activities and experiences bookable on Tripadvisor, ranked using exclusive Tripadvisor data including reviews, ratings, photos, popularity, user preferences, price, and bookings made through Tripadvisor.
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Showing results 1-30 of 144
What travellers are saying
- Molly F3 contributionsThe tour was great, the guide was lovely and very knowledgeable - shame it was raining! Only recommendation would be for the tour to be an hour rather than an hour and a half, it felt a little like some bits were repetition.Written 4 December 2023This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- AbbottHsuSerang, Indonesia788 contributionsPretty good, designated and well organized layout inside. Visitors can easily find the way to see all kinds of animals. Since it is semi-open space, you can feel the natural and primitive atmosphere by searching those animals. Too be honest, it is not easy to see lots of animals in close distance. Kids are so happy to take a look at those creatures. A good opportunity to teach and interact with kids in zoo. You can spend half day inside to explore what you want. However, sometimes some animals may hide, sleep or go anywhere so that they are not available when you visit.
For me and kids, it is a wonderful experience to visit this historical zoo. Easy to take Trams or Metro trains here. Enjoy.Written 4 December 2023This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews. - Steve WSheffield, UK11 contributionsIt’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 2023This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- Kai CHalf Moon Bay, CA1,211 contributionsVery easy access from Melbourne via the Belgrave train (1 hr), and an impressive selection of trails through the Ash-Eucalyptus-Fern forest. The place is teeming with birds (butcherbirds, currawongs, rosellas, treecreepers, whistlers, bowerbirds and lyrebirds), with the cuckatoos ruling the tree crowns. The trails are maintained and marked well. Don't miss this beautiful place.Written 26 November 2023This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- gryphon2014Tauranga, New Zealand5 contributionsDid the restuarant dinner Cruise. Excellent staff. Great food. The lights of Melbourne we dazzling.
Thought we could have had more information about what we were passing, historical facts etc
Well worth the experience.Written 13 October 2023This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews. - Enjoy_the_breezePacific Coast Australia, Australia1,060 contributionsAmazing building and lots of history I’d never learnt growing up in NSW. It’s a stunning old building of great historical significance and “Matt with a beard” brought it all to life. An excellent tour with lots of information. Matt was pleasant and informative with a wonderful grasp of the history and the significance of this building and Gabriel his 2IC has a friendly helpful attitude which is welcoming. The art work is fascinating. We loved our tour and would highly recommend it to others. Definitely book in advance so you aren’t disappointed as it is very popular.Written 30 November 2023This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- M&M adventuresbrisbane39 contributionsLittle disappointed in some displays but loved penguin , jelly fish and turtle area. Easy to get to by tram . Little priceyWritten 9 August 2023This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- Heather A13 contributionsvisited two of the beautiful gardens on a Friday and each one was worth visiting. There seemed to be preparations for something on the weekend in both as there were people setting up marqueesWritten 28 April 2023This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- Peter SRome, Italy3,944 contributionsReview of Myuna Farm, 182 Kidds Road, Doveton.
Time has that tiresome habit of shifting when you least expect it. This was our second visit to Myuna Farm this year, but we had first visited the farm five years ago. Five years! Blame it partly on Covid-19, but that doesn’t detract from this thing about time … the enemy. We’d the same couple of kids in tow as earlier, but not the little-ones that they had once been. Imagine … this time they were 7 & 10 and well capable of racing ahead, seeing things differently from earlier and, importantly, enjoying the novelty of the place all over again. Fewer issues when offering a hand heaped in grass/chaff to an overfed cow, alpaca, emu, etc. and particularly the single camel who has ENORMOUS lips that front some really large yellow teeth.
We did too – enjoyed the 3-4 km walkabout that took in the buildings and the small animals inside – rabbits, goats, sheep, guinea pigs, chickens and more - around the entrance to the farm, the paddocks and grazing animals alongside the track and, at the furthest point from the entrance, the ponds where there were flying foxes hanging upside down in the trees. There are signs that tell you not to disturb them – particularly as they may have been nursing young – two bats hanging one-with-the-other (with the small one beneath the wing of the mother) – but we’d followed a group of >50 school kids into the bat colony and half the animals seemed to be flying around and re-settling. It was our gain, however, to see these large indigenous animals like images from a prehistoric past - enormous brown wings with skin stretched tight across the frame of the bones beneath. Flying much too fast to catch them on camera. Sitting over our coffee at the end of the visit – four hours or so later – we figured that the bats had been the highlight of the trip. It had been our first time to cross the bridges at the end of the ponds.
The farm is managed by the City of Casey, and they’ve clearly upgraded it in recent times with some investment funding. It was considerable smarter, there were new fences, more paint, new stock shelters and extensive earthworks in hand (for what?) along the trail through the paddocks. The buildings, playground and tuition class-rooms – café, toilets too – adjacent to the entrance looked as if they’d also been renovated. The small animal petting shed was no longer available pending work underway and is currently replaced by a dinky little alternative with just a handful of small animals in the compound where the kids can pet, feed and stroke them – but not pick them up (of course). Poor animals - surrounded by pillars of legs (until their original home is revamped).
There was a new film/demonstration theatre too – well, new to us. A series of ledges banked up in front of the screen enabled >60 people to sit and watch either the movies or the woman demonstrating her skills when spinning wool (and other fibres) on a pedal-powered wheel. The hands-on spinning was more popular than the video films. Three definite advantages – the human element of the teacher with her practical skills, her comfortable rapport with the audience and, importantly, her invitation to the kids to come and try it for themselves. It was considerably more difficult than you imagine coordinating the foot treadle with the need to feed the raw yarn by hand into the bobbin without the yarn breaking. Six kids in a queue were about as many as could be handled after the formal demonstration.
The movies were on a time loop and followed one after the other. The images were grained and unclear at times, but the real issue was the technical level of the movies/information – like a first year B.Eng in Industrial Processing – way over the heads of the majority kids (and most adults) at the farm that day. We saw few senior school-age kids there. I found grain harvesting/processing of interest, but the complexity of modern industrial yarn manufacture was difficult to follow. What options some alternative films with more kid-friendly levels/subjects? Time to promote those modern stories about climate mitigation, global warming, renewable fuels, environmental care, circular economies and similar to the decision-makers of tomorrow – in junior school language.
The farm provides this incredible ‘meet the animals’ focus. Then … why scatter the paddocks, walkways, buildings and other odd corners with broken, discarded and derelict farm equipment. It may represent ‘agricultural history’ (as it says in the brochure), but we didn’t see anyone examining the horse-drawn cultivators that great-grandad may once have used – particularly given their abandoned condition (and that lack of descriptive text attached). There is probably a local agricultural heritage centre somewhere hereabouts that would welcome this equipment. Make a choice – renovate the equipment and present it well (and safely – where the kids can’t climb on it) and/or shift it off the farm.
The re-developed playground, seating and tuition area adjacent to the café was a considerable improvement on earlier. The ancient maze had been cleared away opening up the space - new swings and climbing frames were just urging the kids to come aboard. The café had this great selection of fast food, coffee, cakes, ice cream and more. From a table outside the café – sheltered and in a weak sun - we watched our two girls playing with the enthusiasm of the young.
We’d paid $34 for a family entry ticket with $3/ride/each/extra for that 15 minute train journey around the farm. Coffee x2 and shared carrot cake cost $15. Prices have remained surprisingly stable since our first time here. Check out that original pre-covid-19 review from Jan18.
In summary then … Myuna Farm comes highly recommended as a happy day of memories of friendly animals, hands-on farm crafts, a tractor ride where we had previously walked and an opportunity to escape urban Melbourne for the make-believe world of imagination and fun.
Peter Steele
13April2023
.Written 14 April 2023This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews. - Jeffry bEssendon, Australia13,836 contributionsCarlton Gardens is a marvelous place for a picnic. The lawns are lush, and the mature deciduous trees provide ample shade in Summer. The Classical fountain is imposing, it's quite spectacular to look at. Carlton Gardens is a boon to the people of Melbourne. The Carlton Gardens adjoin the Exhibition Building, they are easy to get to by tram.Written 5 November 2023This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- C...Victoria, Australia64,655 contributionsAll the paths are accessible, wheelchair and pram-friendly as they are wide and flat. The main route encircles Queens Park Lake and then branches off to various other parts of the park, but you can walk the whole place in around 30 minutes. However, if you have made your way here... don't do that.. it's not a race. Stop... breathe... enjoy. There are oodles of memorials and points of interest to look at throughout the park.
Early travellers heading for the goldfields met here because fresh water was available in the lagoon and Burke and Wills camped near here on their journey to cross Australia. So there is historical value to the park as well.
Also at the site is a Curator's Cottage, listed as Victoria Historic Building No. 1078. The cottage was built circa 1890.
It is an exceptionally beautiful park... walking distance to eateries, the race track, the library, the Clocktower Centre and historic churches.
I drove to the park one Sunday and loved my time exploring it. If you are in the area, put this on your list of things to do.Written 24 July 2023This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews. - Jeffry bEssendon, Australia13,836 contributionsThe Sherbrooke Forest is in the Dandenong Ranges, not very far from Melbourne. It is an oasis of peace and tranquility. You are almost certain to see native wildlife, and hear the distinctive calls of the lyre birds -- you may even see one of these elusive birds. The towering Mountain Ash trees are amongst the world's tallest flowering plants. When it is baking in Melbourne, the Sherbrooke Forest is appreciably cooler.Written 25 February 2023This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- Travelove5811,272 contributionsA decent size beautiful park in the city, with the sight of the beautiful Melbourne City skyscrapers in the foreground. Great for a casual walk, stroll or some exercises. Did not see any possums though. From one end of the park. Queen Victoria Market can be seen just across the other side of the road.Written 1 September 2023This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- Jeffry bEssendon, Australia13,836 contributionsWhether you walk, cycle, hike or mountain bike, the Capital City Trai is a great way to see inner city Melbourne. The Trail forms a loop around the center of the City. It's 18 miles (30km) from the start in Southbank and back again. The Yarra Bend Park has a vast collection of waterbirds. The Inner City Trail treks through Melbourne's inner city. There are many things to see, it's best to work out a schedule, according to how you want to spend your day.Written 17 November 2023This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- Jeffry bEssendon, Australia13,836 contributionsKing's Domain is a landscaped garden, taking in an expansive area of 90 acres (36 ha). In contrast to the rest of the Botanic Garden, which is characterized by mature trees and sweeping lawns, the area between the Government House Reserve and King's Domain is lavishly carpeted with flowers for most of the year. The decorative blooms are a feature of the King's Domain. In keeping its name, KIng's Domain includes the Myer Music Bowl, the Shrine, La Trobe's Cottage, the Pioneer Women's Memorial Garden and Government HouseWritten 6 October 2023This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Frequently Asked Questions about Melbourne
- These experiences are best for nature & parks in Melbourne:
- Great Ocean Road Small-Group Ecotour from Melbourne
- Phillip Island Penguin, Brighton Beach, Moonlit Sanctuary from Melbourne
- Puffing Billy And Healesville Sanctuary Scenic Tour
- Small-Group Phillip Island Penguin Parade Day Tour from Melbourne
- Great Ocean Road Tour Plus Koalas, Forest Walk And Morning Tea.
- These places are best for nature & parks in Melbourne:See more nature & parks in Melbourne on Tripadvisor
- These are the best places for kid-friendly nature & parks in Melbourne:
- Royal Botanic Gardens Victoria
- Melbourne's Gardens
- Dandenong Ranges National Park
- Fitzroy Gardens
- Yarra River
- These are the best places for couples seeking nature & parks in Melbourne:
- Royal Botanic Gardens Victoria
- Melbourne's Gardens
- Dandenong Ranges National Park
- Fitzroy Gardens
- Yarra River
- These are the best places for groups seeking nature & parks in Melbourne:
- Royal Botanic Gardens Victoria
- Dandenong Ranges National Park
- Fitzroy Gardens
- Yarra River
- Royal Exhibition Building
- These are the best places for budget-friendly nature & parks in Melbourne:
- Royal Botanic Gardens Victoria
- Melbourne's Gardens
- Dandenong Ranges National Park
- Fitzroy Gardens
- Yarra River
- These are the most romantic places for nature & parks in Melbourne:
- Royal Botanic Gardens Victoria
- Dandenong Ranges National Park
- Fitzroy Gardens
- Yarra River
- Royal Exhibition Building