Melbourne's Top Gardens And Parks For Indulging In Spring's Beauty

As the days get warmer and winter starts to fade away, Melbourne welcomes a colourful and soothing spring season. Parks and gardens light up with native and exotic flowers, turning the city into a kaleidoscope of colour. Here are some of the best parks and gardens in Melbourne to enjoy the fragrance, colour and warmth of springtime.
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Victoria State Rose Garden
Covered in 6 acres of diverse roses, the Victoria State Rose Garden is bursting with vibrant energy and colour. The gardens are generous in the latter months of the year, offering over 5,000 blooming roses to see and smell. In every direction, colour is abundant in the extravagant and neat garden design. The main garden is carefully crafted in the shape of a Tudor rose with each petal containing an assortment of diverse roses with rich, warm colours. A collection of Australian-bred roses can also be found in the Australian Leaf garden. Dozens of friendly volunteers spend hundreds of hours maintaining and nurturing plants making this garden the masterpiece that it is. Be sure to visit in November when the entire space is transformed into a beautiful carpet of colour.
Open daily: April-September, 9:30 am-5:00pm and October-March, 9:30am-6pm
Victoria State Rose Garden, K Rd, Melbourne, VIC, Australia

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Let our travel expert Stefano help you find your perfect Culture tripCentralAmerica
1. Guatemala
An express adventure for those with limited time off. Prepare yourself incredible experiences. You will hike a volcano, visit mayan temples and witness a ceremony and take in beautiful colonial Antigua.CentralAmerica
2. Belize
A quick trip not too far away for those seeking a relaxing mini break. You will have plenty of free time to relax but also some awesome activities to experience the rainforest and the caribbean sea.CentralAmerica
3. Mexico
An exciting mini trip exploring the lesser known colonial towns of central Mexico. This is hte perfect trip for someone with limited time off and still wants to turn on explorer mode and do something different.SouthAmerica
1. Ecuador
A remarkable 8 days adventure through the Andes and the Amazon rainforest. The best choice for adventure seekers wishing to visit the 2 most iconic areas of South America, in only 1 week and no flights.SouthAmerica
2. Peru
An alternative itinerary to classic Peru, from Cusco to Arequipa. This itinerary is great combination of highlights Cusco and Machu Picchu with the lesser known Arequipa and Colca Canyon.Europe
1. Italy
The ultimate Italian experience from the vibrant streets of Naples to the breathtaking sceneries of the Amalfi Coast followed by Matera and down to Puglia with its golden beaches, intense flavours and fascinating destinations.Europe
2. Scotland
Embark on this great adventure starting from London all the way to Scotland with a true Scottish experience made of breathtaking sceneries, whisky tasting and ..lots of fun! Ideal for train lovers and explorers.Europe
3. Portugal
A wonderful train journey around Portugal, from the romantic city of Porto to the Douro Valley, to the beautiful Aveiro all the way to Lisbon and Sintra. The perfect trip to train, culinary and culture lovers.Asia
1. South Korea
Discover incredible temples, mountains and modern cities on this 10 day adventure. This trip is perfect for those seeking immersion in the cuisine, culture and natural wonders of South Korea.Asia
2. Thailand
From Bankgok to Angkor Wat to Ho Chi Minh City and everything in between - adventure through the heart of South-East Asia. Taste the delights, see history brought to life and unwind on a Mekong River cruise.Asia
3. Sri Lanka
A fantastic adventure that showcases Sri Lanka's fantastic landscapes, wildlife and flavours. With 3 epic rail journeys, 3 UNESCO heritage sites and time to relax, this trip has loads to offer at a great priceAfrica
1. Morocco
An epic journey across Morocco: from Casablanca to Marrakech, through the blue city of Chefchaouen to the wonders of the desert and deep to the High Atlas Mountains - this trip has it all! Ideal for true explorers!Africa
2. Egypt
From Cairo to Aswan, this trip brings the land of the pharaohs to life. You'll visit the Pyramids, Valley of the Kings and Luxor Temple and cruise down the Nile in style. This is the perfect way to explore Egypt.Royal Botanical Gardens Melbourne

On the outskirts of the noisy CBD, you can find tranquillity in Melbourne’s inner-city oasis. With more than 10,000 plant species from around the world, the Royal Botanical Gardens is an international icon and one of Melbourne’s most valued tourist gems. Lavish lakes, towering trees and flourishing flower beds — you’d never expect this kind of space in the middle of the city. It’s easy to get lost in the 38 hectares of extensive gardens rich in exotic flowers. There is, however, a strong focus on native plants chosen for their rarity, value and diversity. With over 1.5 million visitors each year, these popular gardens are an ideal place to spend any day of spring.
Open daily, 7:30am-sunset
Royal Botanic Gardens Melbourne, Birdwood Ave, South Yarra, VIC, Australia, +61 3 9252 2300
St Kilda Botanical Gardens

Everyone in Melbourne knows St Kilda for its famous beach; however, few have heard of its gorgeous gardens. Listed with Heritage Victoria, the St Kilda Botanical Gardens flourishes with over 800 mature tree specimens. Since 1859, the gardens have matured and developed a rosary, extensive flower beds and a nursery. The rose garden blooms in abundance during spring and smells just as good as it looks. This peaceful space also features a giant chess board, decorative pond, children’s play area, shady gazebo and glasshouse. The native and exotic plants also attracts a wide range of birds throughout the spring season.
Open daily between sunrise and sunset
St Kilda Botanical Gardens, Blessington St, St Kilda, VIC, Australia, +61 3 9209 6777
Alexandra Gardens
Alongside the Yarra River is one of Melbourne’s most simple and easily available gardens. Alexandra Gardens are conveniently located alongside Federation Square under the Princes Bridge. This quiet space offers peace and tranquillity and is a great place to slow things down in the active CBD. There is just as much shade as sunshine to laze in after a hectic day of work. Extensive space can be used for picnics, barbeques, romantic dates or just a solitary stroll. Whether you’re spending five minutes walking through or hours reading a book, these gardens are a peaceful haven certain to improve your day.
Alexandra Gardens, Boathouse Dr, Melbourne, VIC, Australia, +61 3 9658 9658
St Vincent Gardens
St Vincent Gardens can be found in the quiet beachside suburb of Albert Park. Nestled between the streets of 19th-century terrace houses, this garden is picturesque both inside and out. The garden is of national significance; it radiates London-inspired urban design where development boomed during the Victorian gold rush. In the shape of a large rectangular space with carefully crafted crescents at each end, the park blooms with small and colourful flora. Large native trees are also arranged in symmetrical patterns and offer cool shade. This harmonizing space is listed on the Victorian Heritage Register for its ‘aesthetic, historical, architectural and social significance to the State of Victoria.’
St Vincent Gardens, Montague St, Albert Park, VIC, Australia, +61 3 9209 6777
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It's the personal contact, the personal experiences. I love meeting people from all over the world... I really like getting to know everyone and feeling like I'm traveling with a group of friends.
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I have so many places on my list, but I would really lobe to go to Africa. I consider myself an “adventure girl” and Africa feels like the ULTIMATE adventure!


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