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Kings Domain facts for kids

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For the King's Domain in New France, see Domaine du roy.
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Kings Domain
GovernmentHouseMelbourne1 gobeirne.jpg
Government House in the south-east corner of Kings Domain
Type Public Park
Location Melbourne, Australia
Area 36 hectares
Status Open
Paths Sealed
Terrain Undulating hills, Riverbank
Water Yarra River
Vegetation Australian Native, Lawns, Non-native traditional gardens
Connecting transport Tram, Bus, Car
Landmarks Yarra River, Sidney Myer Music Bowl, Shrine of Remembrance, Government House, Indigenous Remains Memorial, Various statues
Facilities Toilets, Shelters, Seating

Kings Domain is a beautiful area of parklands in Melbourne, Victoria, Australia. It's like a giant green playground right in the city! This park surrounds some very important places. These include Government House, which is where the governors of Victoria live. It also includes the Sidney Myer Music Bowl and the Shrine of Remembrance.

The park first opened in 1854. It covers a huge area of 36 hectares. That's about 70 football fields! You'll find lovely lawns and paths winding through many different kinds of trees. Some trees are native to Australia, while others come from different parts of the world. In the past, famous gardeners like Baron Ferdinand von Mueller and William Guilfoyle helped plant many of these trees. As you explore, you'll also discover many statues and sculptures, each telling its own unique story.

Kings Domain is part of an even bigger group of parks called the Domain Parklands. These parks are just south-east of Melbourne's city center, between St. Kilda Road and the Yarra River. The Domain Parklands include:

Amazing Places to See

Kings Domain is home to many interesting buildings and memorials. Let's explore some of them!

The Sidney Myer Music Bowl: A Stage for Everyone

The Sidney Myer Music Bowl is a special outdoor concert venue. It has a unique roof that looks like a giant tent! This amazing place opened on February 12, 1959. About 30,000 people came to the opening. Since then, it has been a very popular spot for concerts and events in Melbourne.

The Shrine of Remembrance: Remembering Heroes

The Shrine of Remembrance is one of Australia's largest war memorials. It was built to remember the brave men and women from Victoria who died in World War I. Over time, it became a major memorial for all 60,000 Australians who served in that war. It's a place for quiet reflection and respect.

La Trobe's Cottage: A Glimpse into the Past

Governor La Trobe's Cottage is a very old house built in 1839. It was made for Charles La Trobe, who was the first leader of the Port Phillip area (which later became Victoria). The cottage was built from parts that came all the way from England! It's one of the few old houses like it still standing. It shows us what homes looked like in early colonial times. In 1963, the cottage was moved to Kings Domain so more people could visit this important historical landmark.

Government House: Where Leaders Live

Government House, Melbourne is a grand building. It's the official home and office for the governor of Victoria. From 1901 to 1930, it was also the home for the Governor-General of Australia. Since 1934, it has been the continuous residence for Victoria's governor. It was built between 1871 and 1876. Its fancy style shows how rich Melbourne became during the Victorian gold rushes.

Pioneer Women's Memorial Garden: Honoring Early Women

The Pioneer Women's Memorial Garden was designed to honor the European women who helped settle the colony. It has a beautiful sunken garden with a blue-tiled grotto. Inside the grotto, there's a small bronze statue of a woman. The garden opened in 1935, celebrating 100 years since Melbourne was founded.

Kings Domain Resting Place: A Special Aboriginal Memorial

The Kings Domain Resting Place is a very important memorial for Aboriginal People. It's marked by a granite rock and honors the Aboriginal People of Victoria, including the local Wurundjeri people. The remains of 38 Aboriginal People are buried here. They were returned to the Aboriginal Community in 1985 by the Melbourne Museum. This place helps us remember and respect the original owners of the land.

Statues and Fountains with Stories

Kings Domain is filled with statues and memorials, each telling a part of Australia's history.

Sir John Monash: A War Hero's Statue

A bronze statue honors Sir John Monash. He was the Commander in Chief of the Australian Forces during World War I. The statue was created by William Leslie Bowles and was unveiled on November 12, 1950.

Tilly Aston: A Champion for the Blind

An interactive sculpture with three bronze bells remembers Tilly Aston. She was a blind activist who helped people with disabilities. Tilly founded groups like the Victorian Association of Braille Writers. The sculpture has her image and text in both regular letters and braille. Anton Hasell created this memorial in 1999.

Sir Thomas Blamey: Australia's First Field Marshal

A statue of Sir Thomas Blamey stands near Government House Drive. He was Australia's first Field Marshal. The statue, made from granite and bronze by Raymond B. Ewers, was given to the city in 1960. It honors his leadership during wartime.

South African War Memorial: Remembering a Past Conflict

This memorial has a tall stone pillar with a lion on each corner. It remembers Australians who died in the South African War (also called the Boer War) from 1899 to 1902. It was built in 1904.

The Walker Fountain: A Sparkling Water Show

The Walker Fountain was a gift from Ron Walker, who was the Lord Mayor of Melbourne in 1981. It's on Linlithgow Avenue and features a small lake with many streams of water, lit up by underwater lights.

Sir Edward "Weary" Dunlop: A Doctor's Courage

A statue of Sir Edward "Weary" Dunlop is made from bronze, granite, and metal spikes from the Burma-Thailand Railway. Created by Peter Corlett in 1995, it honors Weary Dunlop. He was a brave leader and kind doctor who showed great courage as a prisoner of war during World War II. The steps leading to the statue list other doctors who were also POWs.

Edith Cavell: A Brave Nurse's Story

English Nurse Edith Cavell is remembered with a marble bust. She helped English and French prisoners escape from Belgium during World War I. Sadly, she was caught by the Germans and executed in 1915. The bust was unveiled in 1926.

Lord Hopetoun: Australia's First Governor-General

Near St Kilda Road, you'll find a bronze statue of Lord Hopetoun, also known as John Hope, 1st Marquess of Linlithgow. He was the very first Governor-General of Australia. The statue was unveiled in 1911.

King George V Memorial: Honoring a King

The King George V Memorial was created by William Leslie Bowles. People decided to build it in 1937 to remember the late King. The bronze, granite, and sandstone sculpture was finished in 1951 after delays from World War II.

Edward George Honey: The Two-Minute Silence Idea

A plaque on Birdwood Avenue remembers Edward George Honey. He was a journalist from Melbourne. He helped make the Two-minute silence a tradition on Armistice Day. This is a time to pause and remember those who lost their lives in war.

Australian Turkish Friendship Memorial: A Bond of Peace

The Australian Turkish Friendship Memorial honors soldiers who died in World War I. It also celebrates the friendship between Australia and Turkey.

Who Lives in Kings Domain?

Many native animals call Kings Domain home or visit regularly. Keep an eye out for them! You might see:

  • Brush-tailed and Ring-tailed possums
  • Tawny Frogmouths (birds that look like tree branches!)
  • Magpies
  • Gould's wattled bats and Eastern Freetailed bats
  • Grey headed flying foxes (large bats)
  • Native water rats (called Rakali)
  • Kookaburras
  • Several types of waterbirds

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