Melbourne Parkland
One of the most enjoyable walks in Melbourne stretches down St Kilda Road from the banks of the River Yarra through the Domain Parkland, covering Alexandra Gardens, Queen Victoria Gardens, Kings Domain and the Royal Botanic Gardens.
From Melbourne’s settlement in 1835 gardens and parkland have formed a major part of Melbourne. Alexandra Gardens was formed from the Yarra River alterations and laid out in 1901, the Queen Victoria Gardens lie opposite the Arts Centre and National Gallery of Victoria and features the impressive floral clock and statues of Queen Victoria and King Edward VII.
Kings Domain is home to the Shrine Reserve, Government House and the Sidney Meyer Music Bowl.
The Shrine of Remembrance was built between 1927 and 1934. Originally built as a place to remember Victoria’s war dead from the First World War the Shrine has now come to represent all those who have died in service of their country. A central sanctuary is surrounded by an ambulatory and contains a marble stone in the centre with the words “Greater Love Hath No Man”. A crypt lies beneath the sanctuary.
After the 1945 the reflecting pool in front of the Shrine was replaced with the current forecourt and a memorial to those who died in the Second World War was added in the form of the eternal flame and 12 metre high cenotaph. The cenotaph has since been inscribed with the further wars involving Australian troops including the Korea War, Vietnam War, and first Gulf Conflict.
In 1846 first Governor of Victoria, Charles La Trobe, selected the site of the Botanical Gardens. Ferdinand Von Mueller was the first Director who’s intention was to create a horticultural exhibition with additional changes being made later by William Guilfoyle. The landscaped gardens now feature a wide mix of native and non-native plant life from around the world.
Each area of the Botanical Gardens features particular species of plant life, including rainforest. cacti, eucalypts, ferns, herbs and roses. The original swamplands were altered to create the Ornamental Lake but does still include many of the original trees including the Separation Tree, a 300-year old Red Gum under which Victoria declared itself a separate colony from New South Wales.
Link: Melbourne Royal Botanical Gardens
