There is a total of 565 hectares of open space in the City of Melbourne municipality; 445 hectares are managed by the City of Melbourne.
Significant areas of land were set aside by the colonial administration in the early years of Melbourne’s development, most notably during the time of Governor Charles La Trobe. The land was held in reserve for public purposes, including public recreation. These 19th century reservations form the basis of the ring of green open space which still surrounds the central city area.
The parks and gardens as they appear today are, to a large extent, a product of the time they were first created in. Colonialists were interested in the potential of trees and plant species from around the world, while in the 20th century there was more interest in Australian native and indigenous plants. The plantings, layout and structures have given Melbourne’s parks and gardens a unique character, as well as contributing to the liveability of the city.
The parks and gardens are still held as public land, with many areas holding special significance to the Kulin Nation groups who used these areas prior to the settlement of Melbourne.
Many of these parks and gardens are now listed on the Victorian Heritage RegisterOpens in new tab, reflecting their importance in the story of Melbourne:
- Fawkner ParkOpens in new tab
- Fitzroy GardensOpens in new tab
- Flagstaff GardensOpens in new tab
- Treasury GardensOpens in new tab
- Royal ParkOpens in new tab
- Domain ParklandsOpens in new tab
- Speakers’ Corner, Birrarung MarrOpens in new tab
- Gordon ReserveOpens in new tab
- Royal Exhibition Building and Carlton GardensOpens in new tab
The Royal Exhibition Building and Carlton Gardens was inscribed on the United National Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) World Heritage List on 1 July 2004. The Victorian Heritage Act 1995 requires that a World Heritage Plan be developed for listed places. A World Heritage Plan for the Royal Exhibition Building and Carlton Gardens was developed by a Steering Committee and approved by the Minister for Planning.
