Gardens Map
Fitzroy Gardens was named after Sir Charles Augustus Fitzroy (1796-1858), Governor of New South Wales (1846-1851) and Governor-General of the Australian Colonies (1851-1855).
The Gardens have a long history of over 150 years, few other capital cities can boast such a significant garden so close to the City's centre. As crown land the City of Melbourne are the custodians to preserve and oversee this magnificent garden, visited by over 2 million local, interstate and international visitors each year, it is one of the major attractions in Melbourne.
Gardens History
- 1848 64 acres (26 hectres) set aside as a reserve (Fitzroy Square)
- 1855 Conservancy granted to Council by the Government
- 1856 Contract let for 'paling in' and providing gates
- 1856 Edward LaTrobe Bateman commissioned to produce designs for the garden
- 1858 Border of Fitzroy Square had been planted with Gums and Wattles
- 1858 Planting and Improvements under management of the Lands Department
- 1860's Numerous decorative statues and urns added
- 1862 Path system firmly established
- 1862 Fitzroy Square officially changed to Fitzroy Gardens
- 1862 Neo-classical band Pavillion built near Grey Street entry
- 1864 Four fountains and a fifth being build and Statuary added
- 1864 Small Tudor style gate keepers lodge built at south-west corner
- 1864 Sinclair's Cottage built on main walk
- 1865 Five gas lamps installed along main path
- 1870's Planting, maintenance and improvement continued through this period
- 1873 Neo-classical rotunda "Temple of Winds " built
- 1880 Scores of Blue Gums removed
- 1890 Every alternate Elm tree on Avenues removed
- 1897 Lombardy Poplar Walk planted in line with George Street
- 1901 Nursery and stable yard transferred from centre of gardens to present site
- 1902 Pine Avenue along Grey Street walk removed
- 1908 Development of "Mound " in centre of gardens planted with Rhododendrons
- 1908 Kiosk opened, half timber style building
- 1915 External picket fence replaced by stone edging
- 1917 Sole control of gardens passed onto City of Melbourne
- 1920's Dining room added to kiosk
- 1921 Work started on pollarding the Elm Avenues
- 1922 Large number of stone pines along Clarendon and Albert Streets removed
- 1923 Advanced specimens of Moreton Bay figs along Wellington Parade removed
- 1927 Plant Managers house built
- 1930 Conservatory for displaying glass-house plants opened
- 1934 Cook's Cottage erected
- 1957 Mens toilet block replaced
- 1960 Kiosk damaged by fire
- 1960's Central section of creek piped underground
- 1964 New kiosk opened
- 1964 Womens toilet block replaced
- 1970's Eighteenth Century Cottage garden added to Cook's Cottage