- Toilets (disabled access provision)
- Skate park
- Riverslide Kiosk
- Drinking fountains, seats, accessible paths
- Alexandra Park barbecues beside the Yarra (between 300m and 900m south-east)
- Some designated shared paths
- Bookable event spaces
Alexandra Gardens is located south of Princes Bridge and east of St Kilda Road, with Alexandra Avenue at the southern border. This area beside the Yarra River, Birrarung, was part of a network of swamps and lagoons linked to course of the river.
From 1896, under the guidance of engineer Carlo Catani, a new channel to straighten the river was created and the swamps and lagoons were filled with spoil from the channel works. The gardens were then created and completed in time for a Royal visit by the Duke of York in May 1901. The gardens are named after Alexandra of Denmark, the wife of King Edward VII.
The gardens’ palms, ornamental shrubs, rockeries and tree-lined avenues and lawns make this a delightful place to go for a walk, and provide a setting for a wide variety of major events throughout the year.
Things to do
- Go skating, scooting or rollerblading at Riverslide Skate Park External link.
- Take the shared path link on the south side of the gardens to join the Capital City Trail (PDF 355 KB).
- Admire the horticultural features, such as the star-shaped garden bed in the centre of the gardens, designed to represent the Federation of Australia.
- Enjoy informal recreation activities, picnics, walking and watching boats on the river.
- Attend a major event, such as Moomba Festival External link, Midsumma Festival External link, New Year's Eve External link or participate in a fun run.
A view of Alexandra Gardens from Princes Bridge showing the line of boathouses facing the river
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Stately Canary Island date palms are scattered over Palm Lawn
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The view north across the Yarra River, Birrarung to the city skyline
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Known as the Engineer’s Lawn, this open area is a popular event space
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View to the east from St Kilda Road over the star bed
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Tall trees and thick shrub beds beside Riverslide Skate Park
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A view of Alexandra Gardens from Princes Bridge showing the line of boathouses facing the river
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Stately Canary Island date palms are scattered over Palm Lawn
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The view north across the Yarra River, Birrarung to the city skyline
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Known as the Engineer’s Lawn, this open area is a popular event space
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View to the east from St Kilda Road over the star bed
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Tall trees and thick shrub beds beside Riverslide Skate Park
Designations, policies and plans
- As part of the Domain Parklands, Alexandra Gardens is classified as a Capital City Open Space in City of Melbourne’s Open Space Strategy.
- The Domain Parklands (including Alexandra Gardens) are of recognised state significance and listed on the Victorian Heritage Register External link (H2304).
- Alexandra Gardens also have archaeological significance. Find out more in the Alexandra Gardens - Victorian Heritage Database Report (PDF 18 KB) External link.
- The City of Melbourne Domain Parklands Master Plan (2019) sets out the vision and guides the future management and capital improvements for the whole of Domain Parklands, including Alexandra Gardens.
- The gardens' infrastructure includes a stormwater harvesting system which captures and reuses stormwater for garden irrigation.
- The Yarra River Birrarung Strategy External link (2019) will guide Council’s future planning of the inner city reach of the river. It outlines strategic directions and opportunities to improve the way we use our river and its edges, which includes Alexandra Gardens.
How to get there
Walk south from Flinders Street Station or Federation Square across the Yarra River. The entrance is opposite Hamer Hall.
See PTV journey planner External link for public transport information.
Alexandra Gardens
