- Picnic facilities
- Seats
- Barbecues
- Drinking fountains
- Public toilets
- Dog off-leash areas
- Playgrounds (2)
- Sporting facilities
- Bookable spaces for events and weddings
Located in Parkville, the park sits north of Flemington Road and stretches northwards to Park Street.
Royal Park is situated on land of importance to the people of the Eastern Kulin Nation. The park is also historically significant as the starting point of Burke and Wills' ill-fated expedition to the Gulf of Carpentaria in 1860. It was also the site of the Acclimatisation Society of Victoria (1861), part of which later became the Royal Melbourne Zoological Gardens External link.
Royal Park was the site of a major Australian military camp and training ground during the First World War (1914-1918) and was used for the mobilisation of ANZACs to the Western Front. It was also a camp for both Australian and US troops during the Second World War prior to their deployment to Pacific War campaigns (1941-1945).
The 1984 redesign of the park created wide open spaces, which make it hard to believe you are still in the city. Stretches of open grass alternate with areas of lightly timbered eucalypt forest, sports grounds, wetlands and gardens.
Using technology to understand park usage
We are trialling the use of sensors at Royal Park to improve our open spaces.
Beginning with the Nature Playground, sensors in key locations will capture data to help us understand the way the park is being used over time. Learn more at Participate Melbourne External link.
Things to do
- Walk, run or cycle along the many footpaths and Capital City Trail, and keep an eye out for wildlife, especially near water features.
- Enjoy a meal outdoors using the picnic and barbecue facilities.
- Explore the Australian native garden, designed by landscape architect Grace Fraser in 1977.
- Take part in a range of sporting activities on the many sportsgrounds including the Royal Park Golf Course External link and Melbourne Sports Centre External link on Brens Drive. Check our directory for more sporting clubs and activities in the park.
- Let the kids run wild in the award-winning nature playground which includes a sandpit and water play area, rocks and ropes to climb over, swings, and a grassy hill for rolling.
- At Trin Warren Tam-boore wetlands External link, bird watching is popular and there is a self-guided nature walk.
- Let your dog have a run in the designated off-leash areas.
The eye-catching sculpture ‘Fruition’ by Matthew Harding
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The sculpture, representing oversized seed pods, sits at the entrance to Royal Park on Flemington Road and is surrounded by a planting of kangaroo grass.
Aerial view of Royal Park showing Royal Children’s Hospital next to the NaturePlay playground
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Parts of Royal Park allow dogs to be off-leash
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A view across the Australian native garden
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The garden was designed by renowned Australian landscape architect Grace Fraser.
In spring the wattle blooms in the Australian Native Garden
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A view across the Australian native garden
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The garden was designed by renowned Australian landscape architect Grace Fraser in 1977.
Burke and Wills Cairn
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The Burke and Wills Cairn was erected in 1890 and is composed of volcanic rocks.
Ransford Oval and scorebox
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One of many sports fields in Royal Park, Ransford Oval and its historic scorebox are on Park Street.
Ryder Oval and scorebox
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One of many sports fields in Royal Park, Ryder Oval and its historic scorebox are on Park Street.
Grassland circle
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The grassland circle is in the centre of Royal Park, seen here with the city buildings in the background.
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The eye-catching sculpture ‘Fruition’ by Matthew Harding
The sculpture, representing oversized seed pods, sits at the entrance to Royal Park on Flemington Road and is surrounded by a planting of kangaroo grass.
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Aerial view of Royal Park showing Royal Children’s Hospital next to the NaturePlay playground
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Parts of Royal Park allow dogs to be off-leash
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A view across the Australian native garden
The garden was designed by renowned Australian landscape architect Grace Fraser.
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In spring the wattle blooms in the Australian Native Garden
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A view across the Australian native garden
The garden was designed by renowned Australian landscape architect Grace Fraser in 1977.
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Burke and Wills Cairn
The Burke and Wills Cairn was erected in 1890 and is composed of volcanic rocks.
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Ransford Oval and scorebox
One of many sports fields in Royal Park, Ransford Oval and its historic scorebox are on Park Street.
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Ryder Oval and scorebox
One of many sports fields in Royal Park, Ryder Oval and its historic scorebox are on Park Street.
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Grassland circle
The grassland circle is in the centre of Royal Park, seen here with the city buildings in the background.
Playgrounds
Nature Play at Royal Park is on the corner of Flemington Road and Gatehouse Street, Parkville. This accessible, nature-based play space features plants and play elements representing the seven Wurundjeri seasons, as a way to encourage discovery and understanding of Indigenous Melbourne. It includes a climbing forest and a rocky escarpment with slides, swings and water play.
Manningham Street Reserve Playground is located in north-west corner of the park. It is a favourite with all ages featuring timber equipment, slide, swing and rockers.
For more information, see Playgrounds.
Dog off-leash areas
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Sports grounds
Seasonal sports ground hire includes cricket, soccer and baseball. For more information, see Sports grounds and facilities.
Designations, policies and plans
- Royal Park is classified as a State Open Space in City of Melbourne's Open Space Strategy.
- Royal Park is recognised as being of State Significance and is listed on the Victorian Heritage Register External link (H2337).
- Royal Park Master Plan (1997) (PDF 1.8 MB). The Master Plan is currently under review. Read about the Royal Park Master Plan Review External link.
- The Trin Warren Tam-boore wetland has a stormwater recycling system which cleans and stores stormwater from surrounding areas to irrigate Royal Park.
How to get there
Take an Upfield line train to Royal Park Station, or trams 58 and 59 (Flemington Road), tram 19 (Royal Parade) or bus 505 (Poplar Road).
See PTV journey planner External link for more public transport information.
Royal Park
