Treasury Gardens and the much larger Fitzroy Gardens just beyond them were easily one of the highlights of my Melbourne walking tours. Laced with quiet, usually well-shaded walkways, they’re islands of tranquility within minutes of the downtown Melbourne bustle. Landmarks you’ll want to see and possibly photograph include a John F. Kennedy Memorial, the Conservatory, Captain Cook’s cottage and a delightful miniature Tudor village.

For a longer walk, you can continue to the east and south, crossing the tram line along Wellington and on toward the Melbourne Cricket Club. Following the signs to the commuter rail station, and crossing the tracks, with take you to Olympic Park and the banks of the Yarrow River, for excellent views of the Melbourne skyline from a different angle.

If, at this point, you’re tired of walking, you’ll encounter a handy tram line waiting to take you back downtown. If you’re still game for more walking, the Royal Botanical Gardens are a little more than a mile further on, on the opposite side of the river walking east from the Swan St. Bridge.