The 20 best parks in Melbourne

If there’s anywhere you can escape the madness of the city CBD without actually leaving it, the Royal Botanic Gardens is the place. Located on the city’s fringe, this expansive garden is home to a cool 8,500 plant species, zen lakes and lush lawns. Workshops, tours, walks and talks showcase the intricacies of the gardens – from star-gazing night tours in the Melbourne Observatory to science seminars, which explore the phylogeography of coconut.  

Insider tip: Check out the Aboriginal Heritage Walk, which takes you on a journey through the history of the Kulin Nation.

Not far from the North Fitzroy café strip, these 140-year-old gardens are an ideal place to laze about. The park is huge – it's one of Yarra's largest parks at a whopping 24 hectares – and has a number of facilities (such as a skate park, barbecues, table tennis, lawn bowls and tennis courts).

Insider tip: This is the place to picnic for those in the inner north. Head to Piedemonte's to stock up on goodies, then find a shady spot to feast.

Despite its proximity to the docks and some major roads, Yarraville Gardens is a green and serene oasis in the west. Head here on sunny days to top up your tan in a little slice of nature. There's even a large off-leash dog area, alongside picnic and barbecue facilities and public toilets as well.

Insider tip: The kids will love the playground, which boasts slides, a climbing wall, monkey bars and a balance beam.

Acquired by the Victorian Government from the Catholic Church in 1973, the Mansion, riverine and formal gardens of Werribee Park have been restored to their former glory. The house itself oozes grandeur and makes for a picturesque background for a picnic. 

Insider tip: nearby is the Victoria State Rose Garden – if you're visiting in spring, it's a true wonder. 

Take a stroll around Fitzroy Gardens and take in the natural landscape and historic sights, which are located throughout the gardens. Heritage highlights include Captain Cook’s 1755 family home uprooted from Yorkshire and re-assembled here in the 1930s, as well as a collection of fountains, statues, memorials and follies accumulated over the park’s 150 years. 

Insider tip: The star attraction? Well, that's gotta be the Spanish mission-style conservatory that houses spectacular floral displays.

Sitting pretty on a hilltop in the Dandenong Ranges are the rock gardens, fern gullies and bountiful lawns that make up the Dandenong Ranges Botanic Gardens. This botanic garden was only christened a botanic garden in 2017, as it was previously known as the National Rhododendron Garden. These days you’ll find more than just rhododendrons, with azaleas, camellias, cherries and daffodils providing some delicious rainbow colour to the grounds.

Insider tip: The gardens boast an impressive collection of rare and exotic plants – the majority of which are endangered. 

If you like bird spotting, Jawbone Flora and Fauna Reserve in Williamstown is for you. These wetlands have the Bay Trail run right through them, making it an excellent slice of parkland for walkers and cyclists, and there are a number of sections with wide-open lawns for activities as well as playgrounds. It's here you'll also find open grasslands, a saltmarsh and a mangrove conservation area if you're interested in learning more about the local wildlife. 

Insider tip: The Bay Trail has recently been been extended, with a swanky new 400-metre boardwalk through the Cheetham Wetlands.

Melbourne’s first public garden, Flagstaff Gardens was established in the 1860s and once offered views of Port Phillip Bay. These days, the park is a lovely place to take time out, have a picnic and share the sunset with friends. Hailed as one of the city's most popular parks, the space features manicured lawns and a garden brimming with eucalypts, Moreton Bay figs and elm trees, as well as a high vantage point overlooking the city. 

Insider tip: Feeling sporty? You can play tennis, volleyball or netball on the multi-use courts.

Little-known fact: the Royal Botanic Gardens has an equally cool sister in Melbourne's southeast. The Cranbourne division of the Royal Botanic Gardens specialises in native Australian flora and spans over 350 hectares. The gardens are home to over 170,000 plants, including those residing in the rugged Australian Garden, as well as a number of endangered Australian animals. 

Insider tip: There's more then ten kilometres of walking trails and six kilometres of cycling tracks, so leave plenty of time to explore.

Carlton Gardens is a gorgeously landscaped Victorian-era park that sits among impressive company. It's here you'll find the heritage-listed Royal Exhibition Building and the Melbourne Museum. Go for a stroll early morning to see the park at its most eye-catching. 

Insider tip: Visit in autumn when the leaves are falling so you can channel your inner child and throw them up in the air for a cute pic.  

Lauded as one of Melbourne's original and most inclusive parks, thanks to its very accessible playground, Hays Paddock Park was developed back in 2003 with some help from two local mothers, Danielle Blanden and Jenny Grahem. Both have disabled and able-bodied children and encouraged the City of Boroondara to develop a more accessible playground.

Insider tip: The playground recently underwent a makeover and now features climbing nets, slides and a water-pump area.

Famed for its large population of brushtail possums, Treasury Gardens is the perfect spot to nestle under a tree or sit water-side and eat lunch. The heritage-listed space can be found a short stroll from Victoria's Parliament Houe and boasts evergreen foliage in the form of palms, conifers and Moreton figs, while mature trees and crossing paths create a cathedral effect.

Insider tip: The gardens contain a number of memorials, including one that honours fallen members of Victoria’s emergency services organisations.

It's not unheard of to run into a mob of kangaroos out in Plenty Gorge Parklands, which is about 20 kilometres from the CBD. Views of the Plenty River also draw visitors, as does the historic homestead. The landscape itself is shaped by volcanic activity, making for a rich and diverse landscape along Middle Gorge. Fire up a barbecue in the rec area and bring a tent as camping is permitted at the Nioka Bush Camp.

Insider tip: On a hot day you can go swimming in the Blue Lake, so don't forget your bathers.

You might have spotted this peaceful wetland under the West Gate while you were stuck in traffic on the bridge above. Here you can enjoy views of the bay and city skyline, and spot native birds including swans, spoonbills, ibises and lorikeets. 

Insider tip: Westgate Park has also been known to turn a delicious shade of pink from time to time – you're most likely to see this happen during summer.

Braeside Park in Melbourne's south is a great option if you want a park you can walk around – the Red Gum Trail is popular, as is the Wetlands Trail if you'd like to spot some birds. Free electric barbecues are available and there's an adventure playground too!

Insider tip: This area was once the training ground for Phar Lap, and you can retrace the famous racehorse's hooves along the Race Course Trail.

Albert Park boasts 225 hectares of beautiful parkland including a picturesque lake and network of trails. The park includes an 18-hole golf course, golf driving range, walking and cycling tracks and water activities. Other facilities include picnic tables, barbecue areas, playgrounds, restaurants and toilets.

Insider tip: See a different side to Albert Park when the Formula One Australian Grand Prix zooms into town.

It may have started off as a VFL stadium with space for over 15,000 spectators, but now Elsternwick Park features a lovely lake at the centre, making it perfect for summertime strolling. As for facilities? There are two playgrounds with innovative play equipment, along with lots of open spaces for dogs and humans of all sizes to play. 

Insider tip: New outdoor fitness equipment stations have recently been installed, so you can give yourself an extra challenge.

Located on the south bank of the Yarra River, this is a picturesque place for everything from lazy Sundays to family birthday parties and alfresco hangouts with pals. Whether you're checking out the line of boathouses or admiring the star-shaped garden bed, the historic parklands are the perfect spot to laze around and enjoy the great outdoors.

Insider tip: The Riverslide Skate Park is the place to go if you're into roller blading, skateboarding or scooting.

Opposite a Bunnings on Warrigal Road is a hidden gem of a park. Karkarook Park doesn't look like much from the outside but drive in and you'll find an environmental oasis full of native flora and fauna. Grab your fishing rod and make a beeline for the artificial lake where you can cast off for rainbow trout or redfin. 

Insider tip: The 15-hectare lake is also a hotspot for sailing, kayaking and canoeing.

Malvern East’s verdant jewel boasts epic views back over Melbourne, an excellent swing set and the chance to do some champion wedding photo bombing (not that you’re a jerk, but hey). A long boulevard of trees runs through the middle and there are Japanese gardens in which to find a nook and/or quiet cranny if you like to pretend you’re at the picnic at the end of the universe.

Insider tip: The Ardrie Park Tennis Club boasts four synthetic clay tennis courts if you feel like a hit.