2026 New Year's Day Picnic at Burnley Gardens

Enjoy a leisurely picnic and explore one of Inner Melbourne's historic treasures, Burnley Gardens, located in the traditional country of the Wurundjeri Woi-wurrung People.

GRADE | LENGTH | TYPE: Grade 1: Easy - picnic together with a short walk to explore the extensive range of flora in the Gardens (graded according to the AWTGS: Australian Walking Tracks Grading System).

ACTIVITY DESCRIPTION: The Burnley Gardens are a great escape for inner Melbourne, even though they are little-known and difficult to find. Open to the public 24/7, they are tucked away within the heritage buildings of the Melbourne University campus on a remote bend in the Yarra and accessed via Yarra Boulevard. Created in 1863 for horticultural research and teaching, they contain more than 1000 species of plants and have some of the inner city’s oldest trees.

Now part of the University of Melbourne since 1997, much of the late 19th-century form of the Gardens remains, though with extensive additional building, including a rockery by Ellis Stone, a new stream and pond system by Robert Boyle in the native garden, and a courtyard by Steve Mullany, a Californian landscape designer.

NOTE: this is an uneven and hilly area plus has gravel / dirt based paths, thus "stilettos" or similar footwear are not suitable - LOL. The Park is dog friendly.

BOOKING: By Wednesday 31st December. To register, click on Get Tickets.
Unsure if you've already booked? Click View my bookings.

FURTHER INFORMATION: Wikipedia - Burnley Campus, University of Melbourne; Burnley College - History & Buildings

MEETING TIME | LOCATION: From 12 Noon at the Burnley Gardens, Corner The Yarra Boulevard and Swan Street, Burnley. The gathering space is under the trees on the large lawn area. 

MAP REFERENCE: Google map maps.app.goo.gl/52CF+63 Burnley, Victoria

DISTANCE | TIME FROM CBD: 6.5 km, 12 minutes via Swan Street. Unresticted parking along The Yarra Boulevard.

PUBLIC TRANSPORT:

• TRAM: Catch a a #70 Tram from Flinders Street to Stop #18 (Yarra Bvd/Swan St) outside the entrance to the Gardens PLUS #75 tram from Flinders Street to Stop #29 (Riversdale Junction) and walk to the west past Leonda over the Yarra River to the entrance. 
• TRAIN: To Heyington Station (Glen Waverley line) then walk on the path next to the railway line over the Yarra River straight imto the Gardens.
• FARES: Capped fares apply on public holidays if using Myki Money. Cost is $7.60 Full or $3.80 Concession/Seniors with effect from 1 January 2025 (prices normally increase with effect from 1 January each year).

FOOD: Bring your picnic lunch, snacks and drinks.

APPAREL | FOOTWEAR: Comfortable walking boots/shoes and dress according to the weather forecast. A picnic rug and/or folding chair is viewed as essential as the Park only has limited garden seats.

LEADER: Garry Oliver. | Email LeaderGarryO@nomads.org.au if you have any questions.
Members can access leader contact details under Members | Leader Contacts when logged in to the website.
 

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