Royal Botanic Gardens Victoria - Melbourne Gardens

A historic botanical garden established in 1846 on the south bank of the Yarra River.
Now nearly 180 years old, it has long been cherished as a cultural sanctuary for Melbourne residents.

Spanning 38 hectares, the grounds are home to more than 8,500 species of plants collected from around the world.
The garden was designed by landscape architect William Guilfoyle, who personally traveled the globe collecting plants — earning him the nickname "plant hunter."

At Guilfoyle's Volcano you can see a collection of cacti and succulents with city views in the background, while the Tropical Glasshouse houses rare tropical plants and endangered species.

Admission is free, and free guided tours run daily.
A leisurely walk around the full circuit takes around 2–4 hours, and many visitors bring a packed lunch to picnic by the lake.
Comfortable shoes are a must.