Melbourne has some beautiful parks and gardens, and even some fun playgrounds, spanning right across our fine city. Each is unique and best of all, packed with free fun for the whole family. Mamma's Melbourne parks, playgrounds and gardens page has all the inspiration you need to get you out and about making it easier to uncover something new for you and the crew to enjoy.
What an oasis! This beautiful section of the Royal Botanic Garden if filled with - you guessed - FERNS. This used to be where the bats would hang about, but now it is for us! It is a peaceful and cool space AND it has had a recent upgrade with a boardwalk installed so you are right in amongst the foliage!
Splash in the stream, roll down a mini hill, play panda’s in the bamboo forest or be a fairy among tree hallows and rocky mounds. How good is a garden that is totally dedicated to children? The Ian Potter Children’s Garden is full of things that will have you and your little one enjoying this place for hours and years to come.
Trade the city’s hustle for nature’s hush at Fitzroy Gardens. This is the perfect place to immerse yourself in vibrant greenery right in the heart of Melbourne, where tram bells harmonise with birdsongs. Here you'll find a playground, gardens, trails, a cafe, conservatory and MORE.
Royal Park extends from Parkville to Carlton and is home to a plethora of vegetation and wildlife. Linked ponds and wetlands exist among sweeping plains of open grass with views of the city; a native garden; tall gums; sports grounds and gardens. It’s a wonderful area to spend a good portion of the day for a free adventure!
The existing 150 year old Moreton Bay Fig Trees that are such a special feature have been incorporated into the design of the play space, giving it the feel of a fairy garden amongst a forest. Magical!
It is super handy to know where all the playgrounds are located when heading into town for a city adventure. If your visit includes a walk through the Queen Victoria Market… then the Flagstaff Gardens is your closest (and greatest) option.
We love a visit to the Royal Botanic Gardens Victoria. Such a tranquil slice of paradise, right on the doorstep of the city we all love. Here are Mamma’s top two favourite nooks to throw down a picnic rug.
There is almost NOTHING out of the ordinary at the latest playground to open in Melbourne. At first glance, it certainly looks like a bunch of builders have forgotten to finish their work. There are no even surfaces, no smooth hand rails and lots of hazards to keep an eye on. But that is exactly the point.
This fabulous marine-themed community park opened early 2017 -and you know how Mamma likes a good THEMED park....
Right behind the library you will find a real “city” playground - little buildings full of fun elements like the water feature
Mamma says this park is super cute even though it has lots of spiders! But at least they’re the playful and sculptural kind - phew!
This is a fantastic playground with the blend of playground and nature is excellent with ropes, wood and rocks being a refreshing change to the usual run of the mill play equipment.
City adventures could not be any more fun! Birrarung Marr Playground is situated in the heart of it all.
This is a really great park - it's just a bit different, with a creative use of space and the location makes it even more interesting.
A two for one special is right here at the northern end of the Carlton Gardens. Two playgrounds to explore while spending quality family time on the edge of our beautiful city. The Gardens are tucked behind the Melbourne Museum.
