Alexandra Gardens
The Alexandra Gardens,
Queen Victoria Gardens and King's Domain run continuously from the banks of the Yarra
along St Kilda Road to the
Shrine and
beyond. They also border the Botanic
Gardens and Government House.
The Alexandra Gardens were created in the late 1860s from land reclaimed
from the re-routing of the Yarra River. The gardens were reconstructed and
laid out in their current form in 1904 and quickly became a focus for
weekend recreation and promenading. The section of the Yarra with the
Alexandra Gardens on one side and
Birrarung Marr on the other are among the most picturesque and most
often depicted areas of the city. The Alexandra Gardens are best known to
the locals for the rowing sheds and as the venue for Moomba and similar
festivities. For refreshments you can wander a little further upstream to
one of Melbourne's favourite barbecue spots, sit on the grass and enjoy a
burnt snag while the river flows slowly by. Or, if you prefer, you can
wander a little further downstream and sip your cafe latte at
Southgate complex while the
river still flows slowly by. The Yarra is in no hurry, so why should you be?
The
Henly-on-Yarra regatta has been held here annually since the reconstructed
park opened in 1904, and it was on this stretch of the Yarra that the
oarsome foursome trained. The small judges box built on the riverbank in the
1930s at the finishing line of the regatta can still be seen, as well as a
war memorial for oarsmen who were killed in WW1. The Riverslide Skate Park
attracts hundreds of skateboarders every day, and at the base of
Princes Bridge you can hire a
bike and ride for many kilometres along the bike paths which follow the
river.
The Alexandra Gardens are really much more park than gardens, but you can
still see the star bed which formed part of the original design and the
Canary Island Date Palms planted soon after.
The Alexandra Gardens, along with
Birrarung Marr on the opposite bank of the river, are usually the
central to the Moomba Festival and
fireworks displays for such events as New Year's Eve.
Riverslide Skate Park
Riverslide is the largest & best-appointed Skate Park in inner
Melbourne. Featuring an 1800sqm skating surface & a caf�, it�s a must
for any interested skaters. Located within a five-min walk from Flinders
St Station, it�s situated in the picturesque
Alexandra Gardens. Supervision &
first aid assistance is provided on site during peak periods.
Free
(Mel ref 2F J7)
Enquiries: 9663 0495
Some forthcoming events at Alexandra Gardens:
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Moomba Festival
Melbourne's long running community festival featuring rides, activities and
entertainment in Birrarung
Marr and the Alexandra
Gardens. The Moomba fireworks will occur from 9.30 to 9.45pm on Saturday, Sunday and
Monday nights and the best viewing points can be had on the banks of the Yarra
in Birrarung Marr or the Alexandra Gardens.
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