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Spread over 64 acres of land in the Central Business District lies the Fitzroy Gardens, Melbourne. Till 1862 it was called Fitzroy Square. Placed within close proximity of the city’s centre the Fitzroy Gardens is one of the features that strengthen Melbourne’s claim to the title ‘Garden city of Australia’. Fitzroy Gardens, named after Sir Charles Augustus Fitzroy, became public gardens in 1848. In place of the beautiful gardens was a swamp. It had a stream containing sewage from the eastern section of the city. Detailed planning by Clement Hodgkinson, the head of the Lands Department and careful plantation by James Sinclair led to a picturesque Fitzroy Gardens, Melbourne that we see today. An important feature of the planned plantation of elm trees along pathways was the creation of a pattern resembling the Union Jack flag. One of the most prominent Melbourne tourist attractions, these gardens enclose within its boundaries - Cook’s Cottage, Melbourne: James and Grace Cook, parents of James Cook, built this cottage in 1755 in England. The cottage was put up for sale in 1933 when Russell Grimwade bought and shipped it down to Victoria. Here the dismantled house was assembled and placed in the Fitzroy Gardens. - The Fairies Tree: It is a stump of an original Red Gum tree in the gardens with carvings of fairies, dwarfs, gnomes, a jackass, flying foxes, koalas and other Australian animals and birds by Miss Cohn. This tree, more than 300 years old, is a favorite with the children. Amongst the various gardens in Melbourne, the Fitzroy Gardens has an assortment of features to engage the eyes. - Sinclairs Cottage: James Sinclair’s cottage on the main walk of the gardens was built in 1864. Sinclair, the park gardener, died in this brick cottage. - Model Tudor Village: Made of cement, by Edgar Wilson, this village was gifted to Melbourne for sending food to Britain during the Second World War. It represents a Kentish village of the Tudor period. - Conservatory: The Conservatory is a copy of Spanish architecture with a spectacular floral display. - Statues, fountain, structures: The Fitzroy Gardens, Melbourne is home to some exquisite statues, beautiful fountains and magnificent structures like: - Boy on the Turtle
- Boy and Pelican
- Conservatory Fountain
- Diana and the Hounds
- Dolphin Fountain
- Grey Street Fountain
- Mary Gilbert
- Mermaid and Fish
- Old Bandstand
- Peoples Path
- River God Fountain
- Statue of Meditation
- Temple of the Winds Scarred Tree: A scarred tree, symbol of the original habitation of Melbourne by the Wurundjeri people, has been preserved in the Fitzroy Gardens, Melbourne.
Tours of Fitzroy Gardens, Melbourne
Tours of Fitzroy Gardens are arranged every Tuesday at 11am. The hour-long trip starts from opposite the Hilton Hotel and ends at the Conservatory. The guided trip to one of the most beautiful of the Melbourne parks and gardens costs $4 per person. Quick and fresh breakfast and lunch can be enjoyed at The Pavilion, a cafe open for seven days from 7:30am to 6:00pm.
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