8 public gardens to visit in Melbourne, and beyond.
Gardens are more than just spaces of beauty and tranquility — they are living works of art, rich with history, culture, and the delicate balance between nature and human creativity.
From the vibrant tulip fields of the Netherlands to the meticulously designed landscapes of Japan, the world is home to breathtaking gardens that offer unforgettable experiences.
In this article, we highlight five of Melbourne’s most gorgeous gardens. As the host city of the Melbourne International Flower & Garden Show, the largest garden show in the Southern Hemisphere, Melbourne boasts some of the world’s most talented garden and landscape designers, and an impressive collection of extraordinary gardens — both public and private.
Plus, for those venturing beyond Australia, we’ve also included three of the world’s most breathtaking gardens to add to your travel wishlist.
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How travel can give you garden inspiration
Visiting various gardens from around the world can offer a transformative experience for any home garden. It provides a wealth of inspiration and many practical ideas to improve your own outdoor space.
Each garden showcases unique designs, plant combinations, landscaping techniques, and methods that can be tailored to suit your personal style and climate. Strolling through someone else’s garden can ignite creativity and help you reimagine your garden with different plant varieties, innovative layouts, and new colour schemes.
Observing how other gardens integrate seasonal blooms, sustainable gardening practices and native plants can also provide valuable insights for enhancing water conservation, biodiversity and soil health in your backyard.
Whether it’s the structured elegance of formal European gardens, the zen simplicity of a Japanese landscape, the rich biodiversity of an Australian native garden, or the lush beauty of a New Zealand green space, each visit expands your gardening knowledge and deepens your appreciation for nature’s artistry.
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Must see gardens in Melbourne
Melbourne-based gardens that offer both visitors and locals serene escapes within the urban landscape are a must-see. The gardens you might want to explore include:
Royal Botanic Gardens Victoria
Located near the city centre. The Royal Botanic Gardens Victoria spans 38 hectares and showcases over 8,500 different plant species from around the world. Visitors can enjoy various themed areas such as the Australian Forest Walk and Fern Gully. The garden also features sprawling lawns, the Ian Potter Foundation Children’s Garden and tranquil lakes — making it a wonderful destination for all ages.

Fitzroy Gardens
Located in East Melbourne, Fitzroy Gardens spans 26 hectares and is famous for its Victorian-era landscaping. Highlights include the conservatory, which features vibrant floral displays and Cooks Cottage, a historical building imported from England in the 1930s. This garden also boasts ornamental lakes, a variety of sculptures and numerous fountains, offering a lovely setting for a stroll.

Carlton Gardens
Home to the Royal Exhibition Building and a UNESCO World Heritage Site, Carlton Gardens is a blend of 19th-century design and expansive lawns. You will see ornamental lakes, a diverse collection of trees and elaborate fountains, which provide a perfect retreat from the city. It’s an ideal spot for leisurely walks and picnics, allowing you to appreciate Melbourne’s architectural heritage fully.

Royal Botanical Gardens Cranbourne
Located southeast of Melbourne, the Cranbourne division of the Royal Botanic Gardens specialises in native Australian flora and spans more than 350 hectares. This beautiful garden showcases the country’s diverse landscapes and plant life.

Flagstaff Gardens
This is Melbourne’s oldest park, established in 1862. Flagstaff Gardens offers a mix of open lawns, flower beds and mature trees. It’s located on the western edge of the CBD and is a popular spot for city workers during lunchtime. It provides tennis courts and picnic areas, creating a great recreational scene.
Travel tip — If you’re visiting Melbourne and need a hassle-free way to explore, use luggage storage Melbourne CBD to roam freely without carrying heavy bags.

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Bonus: 3 more incredible gardens to see around the world
Keukenhof Gardens, Netherlands
Known as the Garden of Europe, the Keukenhof Gardens in the Netherlands are among the most famous and largest flower gardens in the world. They are located in Lisse, which is about an hour away from Amsterdam.
The garden spans a massive 79 acres and features over 7 million daffodils, tulips and hyacinths that bloom in vibrant colours every spring. Visitors come every year to see the themed gardens, enjoy flower shows and take in the beautiful windmills that dot the landscape. Since the garden is only open from mid-March to mid-May, you need to time your visit to experience its full beauty.

Butchart Gardens, Canada
Located on Vancouver Island in British Columbia, the Butchart Gardens are a stunning display of cultural artistry. Originally a limestone quarry, it has now been transformed into a 55-acre paradise filled with colourful blooms, elegant fountains and lush greenery.
Every season brings something different: cherry blossoms in the spring, roses in the summer, fiery foliage in the autumn and festive lights in the winter. The Rose Garden, Japanese Garden and Sunken Garden are all must-visit sections of this beautiful site.

Gardens by the Bay, Singapore
A futuristic take on the botanical bardens, Gardens by the Bay in Singapore is a 101 hectare wonderland featuring incredible landscapes and cutting-edge technology.
It is well known for its supertree grove with towering vertical gardens that light up in a dazzling display at night. The cloud forest houses a misty tropical rainforest with a breathtaking indoor waterfall, while the flower dome, which is the largest glass greenhouse, showcases exotic plants from different climates. This garden blends innovation with nature, making it a must-visit for travellers in Southeast Asia.

Gardens are more than just a scenic landscape — they reflect history, culture and human ingenuity with nature. Whether you’re viewing breathtaking tulip fields or walking through lush greenery, travelling gives you insight into the beauty of the natural world.
No matter where your journeys take you, make time to visit a garden, whether it’s a world-famous wonder or a hidden gem in a quiet city corner. This serene space offers you more than just a moment of peace — it also provides endless inspiration for creating your own slice of paradise at home.