Fitzroy Gardens

Welcome to Fitzroy Gardens, an 'absolutely beautiful' 26-hectare retreat located on the eastern edge of Melbourne’s Central Business District. Established in 1848 when Melbourne was a very young city, these gardens are a 'haven…

Our first stop is the Conservatory, a 'lovely building' that stands as a center for horticultural excellence. Constructed in the Spanish Mission style, it is home to a rotating display of 'colorful floral exhibitions' that change…

We now arrive at Cooks' Cottage, arguably the most famous structure in the gardens. This 'lower middle-class cottage,' built in 1755, is the 'oldest European building in Australia.' However, its presence here is a fascinating…

As we continue through the park, we encounter a 'whimsical' and 'hidden gem': the Model Tudor Village. This miniature settlement was presented to the city of Melbourne by the citizens of Lambeth, England, in appreciation of the…

We now stand before the Fairies Tree, a 'whimsical sculpture' that is actually the stump of a river red gum. In the early 1930s, an artist named Ola Cohn carved a series of intricate figures directly into the wood, depicting…

In the southern section of the gardens, we encounter a site of profound historical significance: the Scarred Tree. This river red gum is a living link to the area's original inhabitants, the Wurundjeri people. …

One of the most defining features of Fitzroy Gardens is the 'magnificent tree avenues,' particularly the English Elms that line the primary pathways. Many of these trees were planted during the mid-1800s, and they are now 'very…

Our journey through Fitzroy Gardens has taken us from the floral scents of the Conservatory to the relocated stones of Cooks' Cottage and the ancient stories of the scarred tree. We have walked under 'magnificent tree avenues'…