Fitzroy Gardens

I guess the thing that originally attracted me to this place was ‘Captain Cook’s Cottage’, something that always baffled me because I never realised that Captain Cook lived in Melbourne. Apparently it is the original cottage that was shipped from England, which begs the question — if it was shipped from England, how does it remain the original cottage? Anyway, enough of that speculating because there is more to the gardens than simply a cottage shipped from England.
Actually, there are quite a few interesting things here, including the Fairy Tree, the Model Tudor Village, a small playground (that makes me wish I was a kid again), a conservatorium, was well as a number of statues (including one of Diana and her hounds). However, the main reason I end up wondering around here is because of the gardens, something that as I have grown older, have come to appreciate all the more.
Mind you, despite all of what I have mentioned above, the place is also a great place to bring along some chairs, a picnic hamper, and possibly even a couple of balls, and simply spend the entire afternoon wasting time with friends (because playing ball by yourself can be a little boring, though I am sure if you are kicking a ball around somebody will sooner, or later, come up a join you). However, if having a picnic is not your thing, there is always the café. Watch out for the wedding photographers on Saturday afternoon though, this also seems to be a favourite place for them.

This is a beautiful park. Be sure to set a side 1 – 2 hours to enjoy. Don’t forget the camera and walking shoes.

Take time out of the city to explore the gardens, have a look around Cook’s Cottage and find The Fairies Tree.

Un gros coup de coeur pour ce jardin !
On peut retrouver à l’intérieur de ce parc la maison du Capitaine Cook qu’on peut aussi visiter.
Un endroit parfait pour se balader, lire un livre au pied d’un arbre ou tout bien faire un piqué-​nique. Un parc calme et paisible qui change de l’atmosphère urbaine.

One of the more iconic gardens in Melbourne where if you’re a visitor, you will get a kick out of seeing Cook’s Cottage which sits in the middle of the picturesque gardens.
In summer it’s a very popular spot for picnics, walks, kicking the footy, weddings and birthdays. And why not when the gardens are so beautiful.
It’s a really nice place to break up your day if you work nearby as well. Take a book or an iPod, find a nice spot under a tree and relax where I find it a great place to unwind from the city and enjoy a bit of peace and quiet. It’s just far enough away from any really busy streets to keep it feeling like an escape.

During the warmer months you cant swing a cat without hitting a bride and groom posing awkwardly for their photographer. I don’t understand the cookie cutter memories but its certainly one of the nicer inner city locations to get snapped on your big day. Better than holding up commuters and standing in front of a tram
ANYWAY — The gardens are far away enough from the city that they arent too busy and there is an IGA in the neighbouring Tribeca apartments if you want to pick up cheese or wine for a picnic.
During the weekday people jog on their lunch break or some people actually sit and eat their lunch. I like the soft undulating slopes of the park, it never feels to crowded and is really close to Parliament station.

A nature wonderland in itself. Perhaps you have just crossed the busy (albeit traffic intensive) road from Treasury Gardens, and now your here. A much bigger park for you to explore and enjoy. A more popular hotspot in this end of Melbourne for tourists with cameras hanging around their necks left, right and centre.
Fitzroy Gardens is also the type of park (nature’s wonderland) that attracts peaceful, enlightened souls who like to meditate sitting cross legged on grass with both palms up resting on their upper thighs; you will find a few of these peaceful one’s scattered across the gardens.
The garden tours are also worth it; especially if you love plants and quality floristry. Just a beautiful ambience; makes a florist look quite ordinary in comparison. Also the Cooks Cottage is worth a visit; otherwise Fitzroy Gardens is a great oasis to walk around (leisurely strolls recommended); smell the roses (literally); read a book; lie under the trees and let the wind blow in your face on a not so sunny day. Another ideal locale for a great picnic lunch come to think of it.
For those of you who need that lift from nature, Fitzroy Gardens needs to be included in your itinerary.

I wanted to go to Fitzroy Gardens again because I hadn’t been there in years and I remembered that it had many strange features. My wife didn’t object and so we went for a walk around on Sunday.
It was stranger than I remembered. There is the hyper-​real history of the genuine Capt. Cook’s cottage transported brick by brick from England, a quaint miniature Tudor Village, a carved fairy tree and many other strange features. I envied the kids playing in the amazing playground with a dragon with a slide on its neck and strange giraffe-​like swings. The antique Spanish mission style conservatory is surrounded by ugly 19^th century sculpture.
It is clear that the park has become a kind of Melbourne international tourist attraction with multilingual signs. It is all too weird except for the price of ice creams at the Pavilion Café that are exorbitant
Apart from that stress on my wallet the park was a relaxing place for a good long walk and a laugh at this well preserved relic from a bygone Melbourne.