Well it seems that Australia has a good handle on this COVID-19 pandemic situation. Although the relaxed laws regarding the lockdown vary from one state to another, here in Melbourne in the State of Victoria at least, we’re able to get out and exercise and even take a walk in the park. I did just this on the weekend and what better place to walk than in the beautiful Flagstaff Gardens which incidentally is the first garden established in Melbourne. It has a rich history. When Melbourne was first established in 1835, the first deaths in the new colony were buried on highest ground here and it became known as Burial Hill. It wasn’t until the 1860-1870s that the place was turned into a garden and since then thousand of Melbournians have enjoyed this inner city garden. When you walk through gardens like this you can easily see why Melbourne is considered to be Australia’s garden city, and Victoria as the Garden State.
It really is a beautiful garden. It’s well laid out with walking paths, lots of beautiful open grassed areas and well established trees and garden beds, lots of facilities including park bench seats, water drinking fountains, a playground and even BBQ facilities. During my walk I came across the old Caretaker’s Residence and I took a couple of snaps shown here. I have to say that I was struck with the amazing beauty and color of the garden in the front yard of this Residence. It really is a beautiful garden within the garden, the Flagstaff Gardens! I’ll back when the new plantings in this garden are in full bloom!
Beautiful shots, thanks for sharing them with the community! I always try to look around when I am taking a walk and almost every time I see beautiful things around me. It’s a good thing to have your camera on hand and take some nice photos.
I didn’t know that Flagstaff Gardens is the first established garden in Melbourne. One new thing learnt today!
Thank you so much for lovely comment @MoniDi and I’m pleased that you also like the photos. Like you I always take a camera with me not only when going our for a walk but anywhere really as you just never known when there’s a nice shot to be had.
Yes Flagstaff Gardens was the first garden in Melbourne and apparently it’s name was changed from Burial Hill to Flagstaff as they used to hoist a flag up a fifty-foot (15 m) flagstaff when the tall ships returning from England with mail and supplies could be seen out in Port Phillip Bay. Seeing the flag the people in the early colony would know that the ships are sailing in and they’d race up to this hill to see them.
One aspect of being a Local Guide that I enjoy immensely is that like this, it has helped me learn more about the world around me, knowledge and details that I would otherwise not have discovered. In fact, I mentioned this very point in my CL2020 application post.
