Walking through the Royal Botanic Gardens is an escape from city life. It’s peaceful and quiet with the trees masking the noise from the roads. It was founded in 1846 and covers 38 hectares. As we only had a few hours to explore we followed the path back towards the city. My gallery below shows just a few of the scenes on offer.
I liked these quotes so typed them out to be able read them clearly.
This plant caught my eye, at first from a distance I thought it was a light of some kind.
The photo above is of Guilfoyle’s Volcano. It is a restored reservoir built in 1876 built to look like a volcano. From here you can see panoramic scenes of the city.
Top left, Anthony in the Tacoma Pavilion ; Top right, “Looking out”
Bottom, Shrine of Remembrance.
Looking through the trees towards the City skyline
There is a cafe here for lunches and coffees and also many places to sit and have a picnic. The Yarra River is only a short walk away where there are many cafes and restaurants.
This is one of my favourite places for lunch, especially on a sunny day.
Another interesting place to explore, particularly when it’s raining is The National Gallery of Victoria. It is normally free entrance, if there is a special exhibition an entrance fee might be required. There are four floors to explore with over 76,000 works of art to see.
I have collated a gallery of my own below. I framed my favourites.
Aunty Kim Wandin
David Shrigley
Jeff Koons
Yayoi Kusama
Paintings by Nipa Doshi
Tea and coffee salon, Sabo, 1939
Saeki Shunko
Parrots Live Forever
Audrey Flack
Joan Miro
I took the above to show my 7 year old grandson as I think some of his artwork is better!
Photograph titled Irises
Robert Mapplethorpe
This last one appealed to me because of the shadow and light thrown across the flowers. Tea and Coffee Salon is my favourite and think it would look excellent hanging in my living room.
If you’re looking for quirky places to eat in Melbourne off the beaten track, we found an excellent French restaurant. Midnight in Paris is situated in Prahran High Street and is also an art gallery. They have live music on Fridays and Saturdays. The service and food are excellent.
Our tasty mains
A sample of the artwork on display
Cozy garden at the back
I was tempted to get up and have a little boogie and danced like no-one was watching! But everyone would have been watching it was so small.
I’m linking to Jo’s Monday Walk and Natalie’s Weekend Coffee Share and PPAC
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I love Melbourne but haven’t visited since 2017
We visit quite often as my son lives there
Always nice to find something different to do
Absolutely Alison
I like wandering botanic gardens any where in the world. You certainly found some fabulous art and street art Ali 😀
Thanks Brian, we had a good stay
What a great assortment of fun and free- a perfect combination for traveling 🙂
Thanks Meg 😊
Botanic gardens are always lovely havens in a city and this looks like a great one. I like those quotes, especially the one about seeds of hope and fear. The gallery looks really good too. I agree about the Mablethorpe photos and ‘Tea and Coffee Salon’, and I also like the Dancing Pumpkin – I’m rather an admirer of Kusama’s work. The restaurant sounds right up my street I have to say and the food looks delicious!
Thanks for you comments Sarah, it’s getting harder to post new things about Melbourne! I should do more street photography
Ali, I love botanical gardens and the public art that you shared in your post, especially the Eel Trap and Dancing Pumpkin. I hope to visit Melbourne one day and would definitely stop by Midnight in Paris restaurant/ art gallery. Thank you for your public art share.
Thanks for you comments Natalie, I hope you get to visit one day 😊
Thanks so much for the link, Alison! Melbourne is definitely a city with plenty to see and do. I wouldn’t mind to join you at that riverside restaurant xx
Thanks Jo, I wasn’t sure if the pinfback worked ☺️
The pingback didn’t but I can add you from my Comments xx
I didn’t copy and paste as I usually do because I couldn’t find this week’s Monday walk so I was worried I had used the wrong post!
I tend to regard the Monday medley as a vehicle for the walks but it doesn’t matter where you leave a link. I’ll usually pick it up xx