Surrounding each restaurant, coffee shop and hotel, Melbourne Australia has vast expanses of greenery, the parks and the streets are filled with flowers.  The gardens throughout the city are well manicured and offer an array of colorful displays, amongst the public sculptures, the gazebos and the fountains.  Many of the gardens are located close to the center of town, within walking or biking distance, and what is even more wonderful, the botanical gardens in the city are free to the public.  Many include, along with the more than twelve thousands species of plant and flower life, wildlife and bird sanctuaries.  One is able to tour all of the gardens, at a leisurely pace, in the course of one afternoon.

Melbourne is a happening and funky city, but once in a while, it is good to just get out and enjoy nature, the beauty and the serenity.  There is an observatory, rain-forest walks, an herbarium and lakes.  And throughout the summers, the Moonlight Cinema is an incredible way to watch movies, series of cult movies and the classics run through the season, and many bring picnics and bottles of wine and relax under the stars watching the famous movies of our times.

One can find information and maps for all of the gardens at the tourist center just next to the Shrine of Remembrance.  There are guided tours available as well.  All of the gardens are valued for their significance to the city, be it horticultural, historical or aesthetic.  They were placed in the Register of Victorian Heritage in 1999 and derived their names from the governor of the region, Charles Augustus Fitzroy.  James Cook was the early explorer who charted the coast of Australia, and his cottage from Yorkshire was transported to one of the gardens as a gift.  He was born in this cottage, and it remains with the furnishings of his time.  There is a green house that switches out colorful floral displays five times throughout the year, and and abundance of sculpture, included that which is carved as a bas relief of sorts in the Fairy Tree.  Beautiful, beautiful escapes located within the city limits, perfect for a time away for any traveler or resident.