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Queen Victoria GardensThe Queen Victoria Gardens are a part of Domain Parklands and are just a short walk from the CBD and Arts precinct. They form a peaceful triangular paradise, bordered by the busy traffic of St Kilda Road, Alexandra Avenue and Linlithgow Avenue. Highlights include sculptures and monuments, plus the famous Floral Clock facing the National Gallery of Victoria on St Kilda Rd. The pathway between the lake and Rose Garden provides magnificent views to the city with park benches that encourage visitors to stop and relax. At a glanceMap of park Things to see Things to doHorticultureQueen Victoria Gardens topography consists of a ridge south of the ornamental lakes, sloping down towards the city with wide lawns and large mature shade trees. The original emphasis in the 19th century on floral displays and emerald lawns has been maintained to the present day. Beautifully ornamental landscaped gardens feature trees and flowerbeds set in manicured lawns, roses and flowering shrubs. Paths are flanked with beds of colourful annuals, and the larger pond is filled with waterlilies. As trees have grown, views of the monument from St Kilda Road have now almost disappeared. Located on St. Kilda Road in front of the King Edward VII memorial, the famous floral clock is composed of a staggering 7000 flowering and bedding plants, which are changed twice yearly. A group of Swiss watchmakers gave this decorative timepiece to the city in 1966. Access and mobilityAccess points into the Gardens are from St Kilda Rd (flat), Alexandra Avenue and Linlithgow Avenue. The crossing at Alexandra Avenue is controlled by traffic lights but this is a major thoroughfare and carries a significant amount of traffic. There are crossovers: on the Alexandra Gardens side the crossover is steep and to access the triangular safety island there are substantial lips to negotiate. Access onto the lawns is difficult for wheelchairs but paths are bitumen. Parking Two, two-hour disabled persons parking spaces are provided in Linlithgow Ave and four four-hour spaces are across the road. There is no footpath and small brick edging along the nearest pathway into the Queen Victoria Gardens, so you must enter the pathways from the road. Toilets There are no accessible toilets in the Queen Victoria Gardens. The nearest toilets are in Kings Domain next to the Myer Music Bowl (unisex toilet up the steep hill), Alexandra Gardens (Male and Female), across St Kilda Rd at the Victorian Arts Centre or at the Southbank precinct. HistoryPre-19th Century This is a low-lying region and, before the river was straightened, swamps were part of the landscape. Members of the Kulin Nation lived in this area and knew the river as ‘Birrarang’. It was home to native grasses, she-oaks, wattles, paperbarks, and gum trees (eg red gums). Prior to the colonising of Port Phillip the water provided a source of food, the reeds were useful for weaving, the setting was popular for games and social activities and the slightly higher ground was often used as a meeting place. Settlement Melbourne was founded just before the young Queen Victoria began her reign in 1837, and the city was named after her first Prime Minister, Lord Melbourne. By the time of her death in 1901, Melbourne had grown from a tiny settlement to a city of over half a million people. The area was used during the gold rush of the mid-1880s as a place to house new immigrants in hostels and campsites. It was also the site of the early police barracks. Establishment of the gardens Reclaimed and developed much later than the rest of Domain Parklands, the Gardens were established as a memorial to Queen Victoria following her death in 1901. These gardens contain a marble statue of the Queen on an artificial mound overlooking one of two ponds where it would be seen clearly from St Kilda Road. Monuments and sculpturesThe Queen Victoria Gardens are notable for their array of artworks, dating back more than a century. Today, historic statues and contemporary artworks can be found all over the gardens. Janet Lady Clarke Rotunda The gardens feature a large rotunda in honour of Janet Lady Clarke, manufactured by H. Black. Janet Lady Clarke, a philanthropist who worked for the welfare of women, was unveiled in 1913 with a recital by the Victorian Railways Military Band. This classical rotunda provides shelter and a place to sit and contemplate the gardens. King Edward VII Memorial This bronze equestrian statue has a granite base centred on a curved terrace, with two water spouts at either ends. It was manufactured by Bertram MacKennal (sculptor) and A.B.Burton (founder) and unveiled 21 July 1920 as a memorial to King Edward VII, Queen Victoria’s successor. Although the king died in 1910, the First World War delayed casting of the imposing statue. The Canary Island palms framing the monument were planted to provide ‘an artistic setting’. Queen Victoria Memorial The proposal for a memorial statue was raised following the death of Queen Victoria in 1901. This marble statue of the Queen in ceremonial gowns, complete with orb and sceptre, depicts the history of her life in four statements: Birth 1819; Reign 1837-1901; Marriage 1840; Death 1901. The maker was James White, who crafted the statue from white Carrera marble, Harcourt granite and NSW marble. The foundation stone was laid by Lord Mayor Charles Pleasance in October 1905 and the statue was manufactured in 1907. It shows the Queen casting her regal gaze across rose gardens, ornamental lakes and sweeping lawns to vistas of the Melbourne Arts Centre Spire and the city. The Genie The Genie combines the features and characteristics of an Egyptian cat and a lion with a triangular face and painted ears. It was the work of Tom Bass (Sculptor) and F.J. & I. Lemon (Founder) in 1973. The idea of a play sculpture was suggested by the City of Melbourne in 1971 as a way of providing a focal point of interest for children. It was designed to be harmonious in its surroundings, yet visually stimulating from a distance to attract the attention of children. The Pathfinder This is a bronze Hammer Thrower, showing the strain of an Olympic event in incredible detail. It was manufactured by John Robinson and unveiled by Lord Mayor Cr Whalley in April 1974. The Phoenix Sculpted by Baroness Yrsa Von Heistner from cast bronze and welded copper sheet, the Phoenix was manufactured in1973 and brought to Melbourne as a gift to commemorate the 40th International Eucharistic Congress. Baroness Von Heistner flew to Australia prior to instalment to complete the finishing touches to the sculpture, which rises from the shores of a small pond in the Gardens. The Bronze Water Children Two bronze sculptures show children at play at the top of a stream that meanders down to the lake. This 1973 installation was made by John Robinson. The Water Nymph This kneeling bronze figure of the Water Nymph was made in 1925 by Paul Montford. Public transportStarting point: Federation Square (Melbourne)
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