Gardens · Spring 2026
A spring morning in Melbourne’s gardens
Spring is when the gardens change from one week to the next. We set out early one morning with a camera and no real plan, and found plenty of reasons to stop.
Start at the Royal Botanic Gardens Melbourne
Arrive early if you can. The lawns are quiet, the light is soft and the Ornamental Lake is often still enough to hold a reflection. Follow the path around the water, then turn into the Fern Gully, where the air feels cooler and the tree ferns meet overhead.
Look for the small things
Spring colour doesn’t always come in big displays. A single flowering branch over a path, new leaves catching the light or petals on the grass can be enough for a photograph. Slow down and look to the side of the path as well as ahead.
Walk on to Fitzroy Gardens
If you have more time, Fitzroy Gardens is a pleasant walk or a short tram ride away. The avenues of elms come into fresh leaf at this time of year, and the Conservatory is worth a visit for its seasonal flower displays.
Before you go
Opening hours and displays change through the year, so check the official garden websites before you set out. Bring a layer too, as spring mornings can be cool.
