Melbourne (and surrounds) is blessed with so many beautiful parks, gardens, forests, beaches and reserves. From time to time I'm asked by couples for recommendations. That's easy! Here are some of my favourite public places.
City & Inner Suburbs
Image by Ben Swinnerton
Birrarung Marr, Melbourne CBD
Nymphaea Lake West - Royal Botanic Gardens, South Yarra
Nymphaea Lake East - Royal Botanic Gardens, South Yarra
Picnic Point - Royal Botanic Gardens, South Yarra
Princes Lawn - Royal Botanic Gardens, South Yarra
Dog Flat - Royal Botanic Gardens, South Yarra
Taxodium Lawn - Royal Botanic Gardens, South Yarra
Tennyson Lawn - Royal Botanic Gardens, South Yarra
Tecoma Pavilion - Royal Botanic Gardens, South Yarra
Rose Pavilion - Royal Botanic Gardens, South Yarra
For information regarding permits for the Royal Botanic Gardens, contact Blakes Feast
Fawkner Park, South Yarra
John F Kennedy Memorial - Treasury Gardens, East Melbourne
Temple of the Winds Rotunda, Fitzroy Gardens, East Melbourne
Pioneer Women's Memorial Garden, Kings Domain, Melbourne
Lady Janet Clarke Rotunda - Queen Victoria Gardens, Melbourne
Flagstaff Gardens, Melbourne
Image by Daniel Brannan Photography
Carlton Gardens, Carlton
For information regarding permits for Fawkner Park, Treasury Gardens, Fitzroy Gardens, Pioneer Women's Memorial, Queen Victoria Gardens, Flagstaff Gardens and Carlton Gardens, contact the City Of Melbourne
Grollo Equiset Gardens - National Gallery of Victoria, Melbourne
St Vincents Garden, Albert Park
For information relating to permits for St Vincents Garden, contact the City of Port Phillip
North
Edinburgh Gardens Rotunda, Fitzroy
East
Malvern Gardens, Malvern
Hedgeley Dene Gardens, Malvern East
For information regarding permits for Malvern Gardens and Hedgeley Dene Gardens, contact the
Alexandra Gardens, Kew
Canterbury Gardens Rotunda, Canterbury
Maranoa Gardens, Balwyn
For information relating to permits for Alexandra Gardens, Canterbury Gardens and Maranoa Gardens, contact the City of Boroondara
Blackburn Lake Sanctuary, Blackburn
For information relating permits for Blackburn Lake Sanctuary, contact the City of Whitehorse
Heide Museum of Modern Art, Bulleen
Westerfolds Park, Templestowe
For information relating to permits at Westerfolds Park, contact Parks Victoria
National Rhododendron Gardens, Olinda
For information relating to permits for the National Rhododendron Gardens, contact Parks Victoria
The Secret Garden - Sky High Mount Dandenong
Tim Neville Arboretum, Ferntree Gully
For further information relating to permits for the Tim Neville Arboretum, contact Knox City Council
South
Royal Botanic Gardens, Cranbourne
For information relating to permits for the Royal Botanic Gardens, Cranbourne, contact Blakes Feast
George Pentland Botanic Gardens, Frankston
For further information regarding permits for George Petland Botanic Gardens, contact
West
Williamstown Botanic Gardens, Williamstown
For information relating to permits for Williamstown Botanic Gardens, contact
Werribee Park, Werribee South
State Rose Garden - Werribee Park, Werribee South
For information relating to permits for Werribee Park, contact Parks Victoria
Footscray Park, Footscray
For information relating to permits for Footscray Park, contact the City of Maribyrnong
Bayside
St Kilda Pier, St Kilda
For information relating to permits for St Kilda Pier, contact Parks Victoria
Catani Gardens Rotunda, St Kilda
St Kilda Botanical Gardens, St Kilda
For information relating to permits for Catani Gardens Rotunda and St Kilda Botanic Gardens,
contact the City of Port Phillip
Brighton Bathing Boxes - Brighton Beach
Kamesburgh Gardens, Brighton
Band Rotunda, Sandringham
For information relating to permits for the Brighton bathing boxes foreshore, Kamesburgh Gardens, Brighton Town Hall gardens, and the Sandringham band rotunda, contact Bayside City Council
Yarra Valley
Redwood Forest, East Warburton
For information relating to permits for the Redwood Forest, contact Parks Victoria
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If you plan to hold your ceremony in a public place, be sure to check with local council or Parks Victoria to confirm whether a permit is required and the conditions of the permit. Conditions may relate to site and insurance fees, bond payment, hire duration, maximum group size, alcohol consumption and whether structures such as marquees and market umbrellas can be erected.
Looking for a little more outdoor inspiration? Take a look at my blog Outdoor Wedding Venues - Private Places
Sally Hughes
Authorised Marriage Celebrant
Images:
Royal Botanic Gardens courtesy of Blakes Feast
Pioneer Women's Memorial courtesy of John Torcasio
Carlton Gardens courtesy of Sally Hughes
National Rhododendron Gardens courtesy of Cosplay
Footscray Park courtesy of Sally Hughes
Band Rotunda, Sandringham courtesy of TappaNappa