Alexandra Gardens, Melbourne
| Alexandra Gardens | |
|---|---|
Drinking Fountains , Bicycle hire, Seating | |
| Official name | Domain Parklands |
| Type | State Registered Place |
| Designated | July 25, 2013 |
| Reference no. | H2304[1] |
| Heritage Overlay number | HO398[1] |
The Alexandra Gardens are located on the south bank of the Yarra River, opposite
Domain Parklands
Alexandra Gardens are part of a larger group of parklands directly south-east of the city, between St. Kilda Road and the Yarra River known as the Domain Parklands, which includes;
- The Royal Botanic Gardens
- Kings Domain
- Alexandra Gardens
- Queen Victoria Gardens
History
From the time of
Cycling and skating
Pedestrian and cycle access to the gardens is via steps or a ramp from Princes Bridge, or along the promenade from Southbank under Princes Bridge. Vehicular access is provided by Boathouse Drive from Alexandra Avenue. Next to Princes Bridge bicycles are available for hire to explore the Capital City Trail along the river. Also the prominent, The Around the Bay in a Day cycling event has its finish line at the Gardens.
A skate park opened in 2001 in the gardens, with a café and
Rowing
Alongside the Yarra River numerous rowing club boathouses nestle in the gardens, including the Mercantile Rowing Club. The Olympic champions, the Oarsome Foursome, were known to train along the Yarra river.
The annual Henley-on-Yarra regatta was held from 1904, every spring just before Melbourne Cup day. For a day and a night, Melburnians flocked to the Yarra to watch this sporting event, with attendances peaking at 300,000 in 1925. After World War II, the event declined in significance, however the annual Australian Henley Rowing Regatta still occurs as an amateur event in December, with recent attempts to increase its popularity.
Past the boathouses are lawns with electric barbecues, which are popular spots for picnics and office parties around Christmas time. As well as lawns fronting the Yarra river, the gardens contain a star-shaped garden bed representing the Federation of Australia; many mature trees including elms and an avenue of planes and oak trees along Boathouse Drive; ornamental flower beds.
References
- ^ Government of Victoria. Retrieved 21 December 2023.
- ^ "Gardens of Melbourne". Retrieved 26 December 2017.
- ^ "Trailing Visitors Through Our Ugly Back Yard". The Herald. Victoria, Australia. 1 May 1928. p. 4. Retrieved 14 June 2018 – via National Library of Australia.