Popular Gardens in Frankston

"In the afternoon take a stroll around the Royal Botanic Gardens or join a tour to see the inner sanctum of the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG). If you're visiting between March and September make sure you see a game of AFL (Australian rules football). For dinner head to Little Bourke Street and taste the flavours of Melbourne's Chinatown, or check out the vast dining hall at Cookie in Curtin House. Catch a live performance at Bennetts Lane, Australia's premier jazz venue, which hosts local and international musicians most nights."

"This fenced garden is within the Royal Botanic Gardens and provides opportunities for water play and nature play in a popular picnic spot. You can also take your under 5s on a Punt Tour for free!. Ian Potter Foundation Children’s Garden, Royal Botanic Gardens Melbourne, Birdwood Avenue, South Yarra"

"A free City Circle tram runs throughout town, starting at Flinders Street Station, and takes in must-see attractions such as St Paul's Cathedral, Parliament House and the Royal Exhibition Building. Hop off the tram at Flagstaff Station and take a five minute stroll to Queen Victoria Market. The market has been a Melbourne landmark for more than a century and offers an incredible range of local and imported gourmet foods. Grab a coffee from Market Lane Coffee, in the Deli Hall, and a spinach and cheese borek from the Borek Shop."

"Built for the 1880 International Exhibition, and winning Unesco World Heritage status in 2004, this beautiful Victorian edifice symbolises the glory days of the Industrial Revolution, the British Empire and 19th-century Melbourne’s economic supremacy. It was the first building to fly the Australian flag, and Australia’s first parliament was held here in 1901; it now hosts everything from trade fairs to car shows. Tours of the building leave from Melbourne Museum (opposite) at 2pm."

"A living piece of the international exhibition movement (blooming in the late 19th and early 20th centuries), The Royal Exhibition Building was designed by none other than architect Joseph Reed, who also designed the State Library. This incredible piece of architecture has quite the history behind it. In fact, during the Spanish Flu pandemic in 1919, the building was totally transformed and used as an influenza hospital."

"The long avenues of trees are gorgeous, and it’s also just a lovely shady spot to hang out with your bridal party. This can be a busy spot in November and March, but that’s for good reason. It’s got lots of open spaces as well as little hideaways where you can get away from the world too."

"Visit the Royal Exhibition Building in Carlton Gardens for somewhere unique in Melbourne – it is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the oldest existing exhibition buildings in the world. The building hosts various exhibitions and events in all areas of interest, of which price for each will vary so check out what’s on before visiting. Regardless, a simple walk around the outside provides a moment to admire the restoration work on this wonderful building!"

"If you are planning a visit to the Melbourne Museum which is located in the historic Royal Exhibition Building then you can’t walk past the wonderful Carlton Gardens. These gardens are world heritage listed and are well worth a visit in any season. Make sure you check out the ornamental lakes and the fountains (kids love water in action)."

"Firstly you don’t need a permit (yay!) and even if there are lots of visitors in the gardens, there is still lots of space. Our fave spots are the hedge wall and gazebo near the rose garden. Even the public toilets have a great stone wall!"

"Stunning Australian Garden, which showcases the diversity of Australian flora, plus free water play. Royal Botanic Gardens Cranbourne, cnr Ballato Rd and Botanic Drive, Cranbourne"

"The Conservatory restaurant offers an array of international cuisine, with a series of different culinary stations, each offering a unique dining experience."

"Rippon Lea, cared for by the National Trust, is a beautiful historic mansion with gardens that are just wonderful to explore. The mansion was built in 1868 by a businessman who made his fortune selling soft-goods on the goldfields. Take a guided tour of the house, enjoy the lovely garden and finish up with tea and cake at the Gatehouse cafe."

"Murrumbeena Park is home to a huge playground with different zones for different abilities, including a separate toddler area. I particularly love the wooden sculptures and nature play elements. Murrumbeena Park, 37 Kangaroo Road, Murrumbeena"

"Part of the Saltwater Coast residential development, Crocodile Park is open to everyone with a playground, boardwalk and barbecue area. The playground includes a play structure, and a water play area with a large crocodile at the centre, and a stream running into a wading pool and water jets. Crocodile Park, Saltwater Promenade, Point Cook"

"Melbourne is famous for its trams so it seems appropriate that they’re celebrated at the Melbourne Tram Museum. It’s set within the former Hawthorn Tram Depot. There are 21 fully-restored trams, including one of the first electric ones."

"The geometric, zinc-clad home of Melbourne art collectors Charles and Leah Justin doubles as the Justin Art House Museum. Book ahead for a private tour of the couple's dynamic collection of contemporary art, consisting of more than 250 pieces amassed over four decades. There's a strong emphasis on video and digital art, with the works rotated regularly. Guided tours take around two hours. The house was designed by the couple's daughter, Elisa."

"Buxton Contemporary is the result of a landmark gift from renowned art collector Michael Buxton, who in 2014 donated 350 major Australian artworks to form a new gallery. Adjoining the Victorian College of the Arts, the gallery comprises four exhibition galleries plus a huge outdoor screen devoted to moving image art. The gallery’s acquisitions tend to follow a smaller number of artists in depth and over time, building a rich insight into their changing practice."

"Talking of cocktails, The Everleigh is sending out freshly shaken ready-to-drink cocktails straight to your door, with everything you need, including ice. Plump for the Happy Hour At Home, which includes four bottled cocktails of your choice, a set of The Everleigh approved glassware, ice from Navy Strength and fresh garnishes to match your drink of choice, to boot."

"The scene: Set in the heart of Melbourne’s most dynamic culinary precinct, Coda has established itself as a lively and innovative addition to the city’s best fine dining restaurants. Best known for its high-octane energy which billows out the doorway and enticing passers-by to enter, this eatery flaunts a simple, strikingly modern interior, with exposed lightbulbs, wire mesh screens and aluminium-framed windows. The cuisine here is just as contemporary and diverse as the surroundings, with a broad selection of French-Vietnamese plates and a handful of Australian dishes on the menu."

"Style / Ambiance: As international as Melbourne itself, Adam d’Sylva’s smart bistro has an eclectic menu that ranges from rabbit rillettes with sourdough, to tender roast duck in tamarind-scented yellow curry. The bustling bar area serves wines by the glass and shareable small plates. The minimalistic dining room has artfully distressed walls, wire and mesh light fixtures and chic aluminum window treatments designed by Melbourne studio Projects of Imagination."