Go where it's golden
Chasing autumn's golden leafy display? No need to leave the city to rustle through leaves – Melbourne's lush parks and gardens change colour with the season, and inner-city neighbourhoods are lined with stunning canopies of seasonal hue. Here are our top spots to chase some golden moments this autumn.
Royal Botanic Gardens
Picturesque in any season, the Royal Botanic Gardens brings a lovely display to the heart of the city. Do a little forest bathing surrounded by colourful leaves and stroll a peaceful 38 hectares of plantings. Picnic by the pond, grab a bite to eat at The Terrace or enjoy a scenic cruise with Punting on the Lake.
Image: Royal Botanic Gardens
Fitzroy Gardens
Tucked between Fitzroy and the north-east end of the city, Fitzroy Gardens is a gorgeous sprawl of lawns and lanes, creeks, cottages and tree canopy. Sprinkled with statues, garden paths and playgrounds, there is a walk-in conservatory, a carved and coloured Fairy Tree and rolling lawns for picnics or naps. Come for uplifting autumnal hues; stay to watch the sun go down.
Carlton Gardens
With its fountains and pond and the historic Royal Exhibition Building as its grand centrepiece, Carlton Gardens puts on quite a seasonal show when the leaves begin to turn. A short stroll from iconic Brunswick and Lygon streets, Carlton Gardens also house the Melbourne Museum, IMAX cinema, an enormous playground for kids, tennis courts and a wonderful canopy of mature oak, elm and Moreton Bay fig trees.
Within the Victorian landscape garden design, look out for ringtail possums, tawny frogmouths and silver gulls. You'll see plenty a wedding party catching the golden light. Be sure to get your camera out and do the same.
Image: Royal Exhibition Building, Carlton Gardens
Arts Precinct and Southbank
The oak-lined boulevard of St Kilda Road running through the Arts Precinct makes a beautiful stroll in autumn. Wander past NGV International, where bright foliage contrasts against iconic modernist architecture. Head past the Arts Centre and step down to absorb the scenic golden promenade along the banks of the Yarra.
Image: NGV International
Jells Park
A generous and tranquil piece of green (or gold) space in south-eastern Melbourne, Jells Park has pretty stretches of deciduous trees lining its paths. Set up at the picnic areas, let the kids run wild at the playground, or simply breathe in the gorgeous autumnal tones on a gentle stroll.
Leafy neighbourhood streets
One of the best ways to glimpse autumn in Melbourne is to get out by foot or on two wheels in scenic inner city neighbourhoods, where deciduous trees bring colour to a mix of industrial and heritage streetscapes. Carlton, Elwood, Fitzroy, Kew, Albert Park, North Melbourne, Hawthorn and Fitzroy North are some of our favourite suburbs for strolling and cycling, with plenty of foodie stops.
Image: Napier Street, Fitzroy
