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                    Docklands Park

                    Sculptures in Docklands Park
                    The landscaped gardens of Docklands Park on Harbour Esplanade are ideal for families, picnicking and other recreational activities. The park includes barbecues, a playground, public artworks, large grassed spaces and cycling/walking paths.

                    ​​​​Docklands is part of the lower Yarra River, Birrarung delta.  It was a rich wetland area that was inhabited by several Aboriginal communities. The area was historically used for shipping and construction of Victoria Dock which began in the late 1880s. This was the busiest dock for Melbourne between the early 1900s and the late 1950s when the construction of newer ports to the west made Victoria Dock redundant. Docklands fell into disrepair between the 1960s and 1980s. Work to create Docklands as we know it today began in the 1990s. 

                    The landscaped gardens of Docklands Park on Harbour Esplanade were created in 2005 as part of the revitalisation of this area. The park is an ideal destination for families, city workers and picnickers with free barbecue facilities, a children’s playground, public art, and relaxing areas to sit. There are walking paths, large grassed spaces with native trees and a wetlands area. 

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                    Photo gallery

                    A community garden in Docklands Park with a variety of native plants and shrubs in planter boxes and garden beds, under a shadecloth.Round metal tables with seating on decked area of Docklands Park.Playground in Docklands Park with climbing platforms decorated like mushrooms, swings and other play equipment, under a shadecloth.Picnic tables and seats under a shadecloth, near the playground and a sculpture.A picnic area enclosed by small trees, with tables, seats and barbecue.Metal sculpture of a thin circular hoop on a stick, with rods sticking out around its circumference. Other thicker metal circlular hoops are arranged on the grass.

                    Things to do

                    • Picnic or barbecue in the sun or under the shady trees. 
                    • Kick a ball around on the grass or roll down the grassy hills!
                    • Ride your bike along the Capital City Trail (PDF 355 KB) at the southern end of the park.
                    • Enjoy the playground and the amazing wind-powered kinetic sculpture ‘Blowhole’ by Duncan Stemler. 
                    • Walk through Virginia King’s ‘Reed Vessel’ and dodge the drips while admiring the lizard and frog castings embedded in the walkway.

                    Facilities

                    Designations, policies and plans

                    How to get there

                    Take trams 11 and 48, which go down Collins Street, or trams 35, 70 and 75 which go down Harbour Esplanade.

                    See the PTV journey planner for more public transport information.

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                    Map of Docklands Park
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