Best Nature and Parks (RV, National, Dog, etc) in Melbourne

"In 1844, Charles La Trobe, the colony’s first Lieutenant Governor, received a request from the Melbourne council asking for parks close to the town, ‘where they could conveniently take recreation therein after their daily labor.’. The 500 acres that La Trobe reserved included Royal Park, The Domain, Fitzroy Gardens, Fawkner Park and the Royal Botanic Gardens. The Royal Botanic Gardens is now one of Melbourne’s finest attractions; stretching over 89 acres, it is filled with 50,000 individual plants representing 8,500 different species."

"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"

"Fitzroy Gardens is also home to another historical Melbourne attraction. Cook’s Cottage is open daily for visitors between 9am – 5pm at a price of $6.50. The visit offers the chance to see the antique furnishing and style of the famous voyager’s family home for a little slice of charming history within the city. The visit shouldn’t take more than a couple of hours, and so visiting several of the city’s gardens can be done easily within a morning or longer if you’re wrapped up in a particular exhibition."

"Spend the day hopping between eclectic cafes and small shops, and explore iconic places such as the State Parliament buildings, Shrine of Remembrance, Federation Square, Arts Centre, Yarra River, Fitzroy Garden and St Patrick’s Cathedral. Take advantage of the free tram service around the City Circle loop to get around!"

"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!"

"The area around St Kilda Pier has to be one of the top places to be in city on a warm and still evening. It’s certainly one of the nicest sunset photography spots in inner-city Melbourne. Tip: Watch the sunset over Port Phillip Bay on a clear evening then head further down the pier to the Royal Melbourne Yacht Squadron Marina to watch the skyline light up."

"The Footscray Park playground is one of the play areas near me that includes water play. There are also flying foxes, swings, climbing equipment, a sandpit and some lovely musical instruments. Better still, it’s fenced, there are public toilets, water taps, picnic shelters and barbecues and shade from trees."

"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."

"Out of all the park in Melton, Navan Park is a childrens park that caters for babies right through to older kids, and is an all-abilities play space. The playground is easy to spot within the park as it has a rocket ship shaped tower in the centre. There is also other play equipment, sand play, paths to scoot on and lots of grassed areas."

"For peace and quiet away from the busy city there’s nowhere better than Kings Domain. A completely free activity just south of the CBD, you can easily walk to the park."

"The verbal menu at the new takeaway-only arm of Hana Assafiri's Moroccan Soup Bar is largely the same as at the original, although here, in lieu of the full banquet, you can get a generous pack with rice and cous cous dishes, lentil dhal, salad, pickles and the famous chickpea bake for $12.50. If you BYO takeaway container, you'll save an extra $2, too. Two Go also serves flatbread-based "marrakizzas" (Moroccan pizzas)."

"National Lasagna Day at RococoLasagne & Wine SpecialEnjoy a complimentary glass of house wine and 2 pieces of crunchy garlic and herb bread with each Lasagna ordered on Wednesday July 29th. Choose from our Traditional Beef Lasagna, our Vegetarian or o..."

"To find this dimly lit Italian bar and eatery, look out for a flashing red neon hand in the window. Inside, you’ll find old-school breadbaskets (loaded with carbs to salsa-verde-doused burrata); garlicky spaghetti vongole swimming in oil; a cocktail list centred around Vermouth; and more. 493 High Street,Nortcote"

"From the same team as the bar it sits above (Fancy Hanks) Good Heavens is a a Palm Springs-inspired rooftop bar in the heart of Melbourne. The focus here is cocktails with old favourites like the Pina Colada and Harvey Wallbanger all on the menu. Good HeavensLevel 2, 79 Bourke Street, MelbourneMon-Thur 4pm-1am, Fri-Sun 12pm-1amwww.goodheavens.com.au"