Summer Fun(draiser): Re/discover Royal Park with GML Heritage and City of Melbourne

Royal Park, part of the land of the Wurundjeri Woi-wurrung people, is the largest open space in the City of Melbourne, covering 169 hectares. Listed on the Victorian Heritage Register, it is recognised for its rich and layered historical significance.

The park is distinguished today by its distinctive landscape character, sporting and informal recreational uses, cultural heritage and ecological values. In 2024, the City of Melbourne is preparing a new masterplan for Royal Park, outlining its long-term vision and future management. GML Heritage was commissioned by the City of Melbourne to develop the park's first Conservation Management Plan.

Join GML Heritage and the City of Melbourne on a guided tour through Royal Park and delve into its rich history and significant heritage values.

Led by landscape heritage specialist Dr Christina Dyson, historian Dr Helen Doyle, and City of Melbourne open space planning specialist Alicia Otto, this tour will traverse key areas of Royal Park, including the Australian Native Garden, the Grassland Circle and wildflower planting test plots.

Participants will gain insights into the park’s evolution, its diverse uses over time, its exciting future, and the deep connections that the people of Melbourne have with this special place.

Important information to note before you book: 

Meeting point

Meet outside Walmsley House located in the Australian Native Garden, Royal Park. Enter from Gatehouse St, 100 metres west of Royal Parade.

Accessibility

• The walk will be on pathways but may involve traversing some grassed areas and crossing roads. Total length approximately 2.5 kilometres.
• Covered and comfortable shoes essential. Please come prepared for the weather with warm clothes, water bottle, sunscreen, sunhat, raincoat etc.
• There is an accessible toilet and parking bay at the Australian Native Garden entrance and non-accessible toilets opposite the Women's Dressing Pavilion.
• Please contact us if you have any questions about accessibility.

Public transport + parking

Parking available on-street in Gatehouse St or The Avenue. For public transport, take the #19 tram (stop Gatehouse St). There is bicycle parking at the entrance to the Native Garden.

Brought to you with the generous support of our friends and partners, our Summer Fun(draisers) offer new and special opportunities as well as returning crowd favourites. These intimate, limited capacity talks + tours will take you up close and behind-the-scenes with design experts, all the while making a valued contribution to Open House Melbourne.