Queen Victoria Gardens facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Queen Victoria Gardens
The view from the Queen Victoria statue towards the Victorian Arts Centre
Type	Public Park
Location	Melbourne, Australia
Status	Open
Paths	Sealed
Terrain	Flat, Riverbank
Water	Ponds
Vegetation	Australian Native, Lawns, Non-native traditional gardens
Connecting transport	Tram, Bus, Car
Landmarks	Floral Clock
Facilities	Toilets, Seating

The Queen Victoria Gardens are a beautiful park in Melbourne, Australia. They were created to remember Queen Victoria, who was the Queen of the United Kingdom for a very long time.

These gardens cover about 4.8 hectares (that's like 12 football fields!). They are located right across from the Victorian Arts Centre and the National Gallery of Victoria. You can find them between St Kilda Road, Alexandra Avenue, and Linlithgow Avenue.

Queen Victoria became queen in 1837, just two years after people from Europe first settled in Melbourne. When she passed away in 1901, people wanted a special way to remember her. So, they decided to build a lasting monument in her honor. A sculptor named James White created a statue of the Queen. She is shown in her royal clothes, looking out over the lovely lakes, green lawns, and rose gardens towards the city's tall buildings.

The Queen Victoria Gardens are part of a bigger area of parks called the Domain Parklands. These parklands are located south-east of the city, between St. Kilda Road and the Yarra River. Other parks in this group include:

• The Royal Botanic Gardens
• Kings Domain
• Alexandra Gardens
• The Queen Victoria Gardens

What You'll See in the Gardens

The Queen Victoria Gardens are full of interesting things to discover. From a giant flower clock to many sculptures, there's a lot to explore.

The Amazing Floral Clock

One of the most famous features is a huge floral clock. It's located across from the National Gallery of Victoria. This clock is made up of over 7,000 flowering plants! The plants are changed twice a year to keep it looking fresh and colorful. A group of Swiss watchmakers gave this special clock to the City of Melbourne in 1966.

Behind the floral clock, you'll see a bronze statue of a horse and rider. This statue remembers King Edward VII, who became king after Queen Victoria. The statue was made by a sculptor from Melbourne named Bertram Mackennal. It was first shown to the public on July 21, 1920.

Queen Victoria's Special Memorial

At the highest point of the gardens, there is a grand memorial dedicated to Queen Victoria. This memorial was paid for by many people who donated money. Sculptor James White created it. It honors five important parts of Queen Victoria's life and reign.

The memorial is made from beautiful white Carrara marble, strong Harcourt granite, and NSW Caloola marble. It was officially revealed on May 24, 1907, by Sir John Madden. This day was known as Empire Day back then.

Plants and Trees in the Gardens

Before the gardens were created, this area had native Australian plants like she-oaks, wattles, paperbarks, and river red gums. Today, the gardens have lovely ornamental lakes, wide green lawns, and flowerbeds filled with plants that bloom every year. You'll also find many mature trees and shrubs from both Europe and Australia, all arranged in a beautiful landscape.

Art and Sculptures to Discover

Besides the memorials to Queen Victoria and King Edward VII, the gardens are famous for their many sculptures. Here are a few you might find:

• The Genie: This is a fun sculpture for children to explore. It was created by Tom Bass in 1973.
• The Pathfinder: Made in 1974 by John Robinson, this bronze sculpture shows an Olympic hammer thrower in action.
• The Phoenix: This sculpture was made from cast bronze and welded copper by Baroness Yrsa Von Heistner in 1973. It celebrates the 40th International Eucharistic Congress, a big event for many people.
• The Bronze Water Children: This artwork by John Robinson, from 1973, shows children playing at the top of a stream.
• The Water Nymph: This bronze figure shows a kneeling woman. It was sculpted in 1925 by Paul Montford, inspired by Eileen Lillian Prescott.

The Janet Lady Clarke Rotunda

In 1913, a classic round building called a rotunda was built in the gardens. It was named after Janet, Lady Clarke. She was a kind person who worked hard to help women in Melbourne.

Images for kids

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  The Queen Victoria Gardens' Floral Clock

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  The Queen Victoria Memorial in the Queen Victoria Gardens in Melbourne