Royal Park


The Royal Holdings Park (originally King's Domain) is located in the center of Melbourne on the southern bank of the Yarra River. Here grow both deciduous and evergreen coniferous trees, harmoniously combined with a lot of lawns and footpaths. The park is part of a huge park area, which includes the Royal Botanic Gardens, Queen Victoria Gardens and Alexandra Gardens. You can visit it free of charge from 7.30 until sunset.

Excursion to the history

The park was founded in the middle of the XIX century, but its current name was only in 1935 during the celebration of the centennial anniversary of Melbourne. Immediately after its foundation, this recreational area was managed by the director of the botanical garden, so many trees here were planted by renowned botanist scientists, baron von Mueller and William Gilfoyl. After the transport infrastructure of the city began to develop rapidly, the authorities decided to keep the park untouchable, so under it are now paid high-speed highway and large tunnels, so that the abundance of transport does not disturb the rest of tourists.

Attractions of the park

This recreation area is popular with tourists not only thanks to the beautifully recreated Australian nature here, but also to the sights created by the human hand. Among them:

  1. The building of the Government. This is the first state residence of the state of Victoria. The structure was built in England and transported to Australia. Admission is 2 Australian dollars. The building is open for tours on Mondays, Wednesdays, Saturdays and Sundays from 11.00 to 16.00. The structure is built in the Italian style, popular in the Victorian era.
  2. Memorial of Memory. It is designed in a strict style. In the center of the memorial, on the very top of the hill, is the main pantheon. On the one hand, it is dedicated to the participants of the First World War, and on the other hand - to the soldiers who fell during the Second World War.
  3. Cottage Charles La Trobe - the first superintendent of Port Phillip County. It is a fine example of early colonial architecture.
  4. The monument "The Musical Bowl", created by Sidney Mayer.
  5. Memorial of the Aborigines of Australia. It includes five poles adorned with eucalyptus and sculptures depicting spirits in which the natives believed.
  6. Sculptural composition, created in order to perpetuate the memory of Tilly Aston. This blind public figure devoted his life to helping blind people with disabilities and contributed to the introduction of Braille - the alphabet for the blind in the daily life of the country.
  7. Obelisk of the memory of Australians who tragically ended their lives during the South African War of 1899-1902. It is guarded by four bronze lions.
  8. Memorial Garden, dedicated to Australian women pioneers. It is a lake, at the bottom of which there is a real underwater garden. Nearby is the grotto, covered with blue tiles, with a bronze figure of a woman.
  9. Monument to Sir John Monash, Commander-in-Chief of Australian troops during the First World War.
  10. The monument to Field Marshal Sir Thomas Blamy of granite and bronze.
  11. The Walker Fountain. It is a small lake with waterfalls and underwater lanterns.
  12. A monument to Sir Edward Dunlop, a famous physician of the Second World War period. It is made of bronze, granite and metal spikes.
  13. Bust of English nurse Edith Cavell, who during the Second World War helped run many English and French prisoners in Belgium.
  14. Equestrian statue of Lord Hope, made of bronze.
  15. Memorial to King George V, made of sandstone, granite and bronze.

What is the park?

There are also famous trees in the park, which are worth exploring if you are interested in the original flora of the continent. It is a lonely growing Calabrian pine, the seeds of which, according to legend, brought a young soldier who returned home from World War I. Another famous plant of the park is a dense fern, growing near a small staircase. It leads to a small pool.

Almost untouched by the nature reserve is located in the south-eastern part of the recreation area. There are many lakes, streams and fountains, as well as thematic corners (for example, grottoes), where the most diverse birds nest. Here opossums, smoky frogs, water rats wander. One can often see flying bats, forty and flying foxes.

Inside the recreational area on the northern outskirts there is a modern concert hall in the open air, where concerts of popular and classical music often take place. In winter, it turns into a public ice rink. The hall is designed for a small number of places and includes a modernly equipped stage. VIP-places are protected from rain by an elegant canopy, and the most part of spectators occupies a slope of a hill where many visitors can take places.

How to get there?

You can get to the park by tram number 15, which is heading south on St Kilda Rd. Exit at the bus stop 12.