Fitzroy Gardens – revisited

Crossing Lansdown Street, I once again entered into Fitzroy Gardens. Following the green signs to the graceful conservatory built in 1930, I walked around inside to admire the blooms inside and the statues outside.

Walking past the Model Tudor Village, the Fairies Tree and the Temple of Winds, I reached the Old Bandstand that was constructed in 1864 and was used for a variety of musical performances including regular recitals by military band. Today, it is a popular location for wedding ceremonies. My wedding perhaps??

Continuing my walk eastward, I was taken back by the grandeur of the Grey Street Fountain. Created in the early 1860s, it sits on the top of the Grey Street Walk where halfway down the Walk we could find the remains of the statues and sculptures placed throughout the Gardens in the 1800s.

Turning north, I walked towards the River God, which was the first fountain to be introduced into the Fitzroy Gardens in 1862. This feature was only possible after the introduction of piped water to Melbourne in 1857.

Walking westward, I arrived at the People’s Path, made from thousands of tiles decorated by members of the public as part of the 1978 Victoria Craft Festival.

The Dolphin Fountain was introduced into the Gardens in 1982. Other than the bronze dolphins, there are various other sea creatures placed amongst the rocks. Sotong maybe?

English Elms in Fitzroy Gardens are among the oldest and finest in the world. This is my version of the Elms Avenue, and it so happens that I managed to find such an avenue after I came home. Though I can’t walked down this avenue at home, I realised I have been driving along this route for longer than I knew. It’s just that I never took the time to slow down and enjoy the view.