The best parks in Melbourne for drinking, from hidden gems to tried and true favourites.
Melbourne’s inner city suburbs are littered with beautiful green pockets where you can stretch your legs or settle in and momentarily escape the noise. There’s nothing quite like rolling out a picnic rug and parking yourself under a tree with some mates for an afternoon session under the open sky and here are five of our favourite Melbourne parks for doing just that.
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Fitzroy Gardens
Fun fact: Fitzroy Gardens was named after Sir Charles Augustus Fitzroy. He was a political bigshot back in the 1850s. But that’s much of a muchness, because I doubt he drank tinnies. Fitzroy Gardens is a pretty nice place though. Trees, a lovely conservatory filled with flowers, little mini waterfalls for that ~zen~ vibe and a neat cottage. Well worth a sit.
Find Fitzroy Gardens at 230 Wellington Parade, East Melbourne.
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Carlton Gardens
Did you know that Carlton Gardens and the Royal Exhibition Building it surrounds are World Heritage listed? That’s some legit park credentials right there. You’ll find everything you want from an urban park right here: flowerbeds, ample room to find your own little quiet spot, ornamental lakes, trees that gorgeously reflect each season, plus some fancy Victorian-era fountains. Top shelf stuff.
Find Carlton Gardens at 1-111 Carlton Street, Carlton.
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Edinburgh Gardens
Located in the depths of North Fitzroy, Edinburgh Gardens offers up 24 hectares of space for you to sprawl out in. Find a tree, roll out a rug, and finally read that Kafka book that you’ve been telling everyone else is an “all-time underrated gem that forever changed the face of contemporary literature without receiving any credit”. Wide spaces, sheltered spots, and ample room to take in some rays – Edinburgh Gardens is a classic hangout for a reason.
Find Edinburgh Gardens at Alfred Crescent, Fitzroy North.
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Rockley Gardens
Rockley Gardens are nice. Small, but nice. Think big trees, park benches and some genuinely good places to pick up a sandwich or coffee nearby. It’s not kicking it up in the big leagues with some of Melbourne’s most expansive parks, but it sure as hell gives it a red hot Aussie go. Give the underdog a chance and try it for yourself.
Find Rockley Gardens at Rockley Road, South Yarra.
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Yarra Bend Park
Melbourne’s biggest natural bushland park isn’t messing around when it comes to tinny-sinking real estate. We’re talking 260 hectares of prime picnic territory where you can properly disappear into the green without leaving the city limits. Pack your esky, grab your mates, and head to one of the many grassy spots scattered throughout this leafy maze – just don’t be surprised if you end up sharing the space with a few grey-headed flying foxes hanging overhead (they’re harmless, but probably not great drinking buddies).
Find Yarra Bend Park at Yarra Bend Road, Fairfield.
Looking for a new walking spot? Check out our list of serene Melbourne parks and trails to head to for some exercise.
