Fitzroy Gardens is a 26-hectare (64-acre) garden in East Melbourne, Australia.
It is a remarkable piece of 19th-century garden heritage with various sites and features, including tree-lined avenues, fountains, sculptures, and the famous "Fairies' Tree." The garden adds to Melbourne's claim of being the garden city of Australia.
The land where Fitzroy Gardens stands today was originally swampy but was transformed into a dense woodland by landscape designer Clement Hodgkinson and park gardener James Sinclair. Changes over time included the addition of windbreaks and sub-tropical planting. The establishment of the conservatory and Cooks' Cottage further enhanced the garden. In 2014, a renovation project added a stormwater harvesting system, a café, and a visitor center.
Fitzroy Gardens holds historical, aesthetic, architectural, scientific, and social significance to the State of Victoria. It is part of a group of city gardens and reflects 19th-century beliefs about the benefits of green spaces in cities. The gardens have been a place of relaxation and recreation since the 1860s.
The Gardens are home to unique Australian wildlife, including possums, lorikeets, ducks, micro-bats, and flying foxes. This makes it a popular destination for both locals and overseas visitors.
The Gardens were permanently reserved as public gardens in 1848 and have a rich history. Notable sites and features include Sinclair's Cottage, the "Temple of the Winds" rotunda, Fairies' Tree, and Cooks' Cottage.
Fitzroy Gardens is a must-visit for tourists, nature lovers, and history enthusiasts who want to explore a beautiful garden and significant historic sites.