Flagstaff Gardens
309-311 William St., West Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria, 3003
Named after the hilltop flagstaff that signaled ships into Melbourne port, Flagstaff Gardens is the city’s oldest park, having been established in 1862. Since it’s just north of the Central Business District (CBD), on a nice day you’ll see plenty of office workers lounging on the lawns during their lunch breaks. And given the park’s prime location next to Queen Victoria Market, it’s easy to have a picnic in one of the city’s favorite green spaces.
The basics
As you wander through the park, you’ll see sculptures and memorial statues, flower and rose beds, leafy eucalyptus trees, paths lined with avenues of elms for shade, and Moreton Fig trees native to eastern Australia. You might also glimpse local wildlife such as possums, too. You can spot Flagstaff Gardens from the observation deck of the Melbourne Skydeck, which towers 1,000 feet (300 meters) over the city, and during a Yarra River cruise.
Things to know before you go
There are electric barbecues in the park, available for cooking with food you bring. These are especially busy in the summertime.
For something more sporty, check out the tennis courts on the William Street side of Flagstaff Gardens. The park also has a playground for kids.
There are drinking fountains inside the park, as well as restroom facilities.
How to get there
To reach Flagstaff Gardens, which is adjacent to La Trobe Street, take tram number 30 or 35 to either the La Trobe Street or Flagstaff stop. The gardens are also within a few minutes’ walk of Flagstaff Station, a major station on the City Loop route.
When to get there
The park is open 24 hours a day, year-round. Melbourne’s spring and summer months (September through February) are the perfect time to enjoy lunch or dinner alfresco and use the free outdoor barbecues. Every Monday mid-morning, the Royal Historical Society of Victoria offers guided walks of the gardens—visit the organization’s website for more details.
See the Melbourne Mint
The Melbourne Mint building is a fine example of some of the extravagant structures built during the boom years of the Victorian Gold Rush. Built in 1862 in the Renaissance revival style, it’s just across the street from Flagstaff Gardens and is now home to the Royal Historical Society of Victoria. You can browse the rich collection of artifacts and explore the bookshop here.
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