The Fitzroy Gardens

The Fitzroy Gardens is one of Melbourne's two best gardens (the other being the Royal Botanic Gardens). It is situated on the corner of Clarendon Street and Wellington Parade, and along with the Treasury Gardens adjoin the eastern perimeter of the CBD.

Walk to the top end of Collins Street and the Windsor Hotel, and directly opposite are the Treasury Gardens. Walk through them, cross the street and you are in the Fitzroy Gardens. And the short walk is well worth it as these are a fine example of a grand city garden. They are wonderfully laid out across 26 hectares, with huge formal garden beds, walking paths, a superb collection of trees, a gorgeous conservatory and the cottage that was once the home of Captain James Cook.

The Pavillion Restaurant and kiosk used to be formal tearooms. Also situated within the grounds is a "Fairies' Tree", a model Tudor Village, an old bandstand rotunda and the "Temple of the Winds" Rotunda.

The Conservatory, built in 1930, has displays throughout the year: Hydrangea/Fuschia (November to February), tuberous Begonia (February to April), Tropical/Poinsettia (April to July), Cineraria/Cyclamen (July to September) and Schizanthus/Calceolaria (September to November).

Fitzroy Gardens: Diana and the Hounds

Another very popular spot to visit is Captain Cooks' Cottage located near to The Conservatory. Painstakingly disassembled brick by brick and transported from it's original location in Yorkshire, England by Sir Russell Grimwadeit, it was reassembled on this site back in 1934.

Fitzroy Gardens: Cooks' Cottage