Correction (5 October 2026): an earlier version of this page listed places and details we could not stand behind. It has been rewritten from scratch: every place below was confirmed at two independent sources on 4 October 2026.
A route is a line on a map first. This guide covers six parks in and around Melbourne CBD: three listed as Melbourne, one in Docklands and two in East Melbourne. Each entry says what the City of Melbourne page lists for paths and facilities, and what it does not.
The council pages give no lap distances or surface grades for these parks, so none are printed here. Check the official page for current facilities before you go, and check the Bureau of Meteorology for the weather.
The quick picks
| If you’re after | Head to | Where |
|---|---|---|
| Walking paths, including The Tan track | Kings Domain | Kings Domain, from Linlithgow Avenue south to Domain Road, Melbourne |
| Riverside shared path | Birrarung Marr | Birrarung Marr, northern bank of the Yarra River between Federation Square and Melbourne Park, Melbourne |
| Link to Capital City Trail | Alexandra Gardens | Alexandra Gardens, south of Princes Bridge and east of St Kilda Road, Melbourne |
| Trail at the southern end | Docklands Park | Docklands Park, Harbour Esplanade, Docklands |
| Long walks under fig and elm trees | Treasury Gardens | Treasury Gardens, near Parliament House and Spring Street, East Melbourne |
| Self-guided walking tour | Fitzroy Gardens | Fitzroy Gardens, bounded by Lansdowne, Wellington, Clarendon and Albert streets, East Melbourne |
Kings Domain — Kings Domain, from Linlithgow Avenue south to Domain Road, Melbourne VIC
The council says Kings Domain covers the area from Linlithgow Avenue south to Domain Road. Its page lists walking paths, including The Tan track, and open areas for informal games. The page does not give a lap length or call The Tan a running route, so check the official page for that.
Water and toilets: the council page lists drinking fountains and public toilets.
Birrarung Marr — Birrarung Marr, northern bank of the Yarra River between Federation Square and Melbourne Park, Melbourne VIC
The council describes Birrarung Marr as sitting on the northern bank of the Yarra River between Federation Square and Melbourne Park. It says the path is popular with both pedestrians and cyclists, and lists a shared cycling path. It also suggests walking east from Federation Square along the river to Speakers’ Corner (Yarra Bank). The council says the playground is closed for upgrade works, so do not plan around it.
Start at: Federation Square, then follow the river east, as the council page describes.
Alexandra Gardens — Alexandra Gardens, south of Princes Bridge and east of St Kilda Road, Melbourne VIC
Alexandra Gardens is south of Princes Bridge and east of St Kilda Road, per the council. Its page says to take the shared path link on the south side of the gardens to join the Capital City Trail. It also names Riverslide Skate Park and lists a kiosk, toilets and drinking fountains.
Turn-around point: the council page names no end point, so set your own where the shared path link meets the Capital City Trail.
Docklands Park — Docklands Park, Harbour Esplanade, Docklands VIC 3008
Docklands Park is on Harbour Esplanade in Docklands, so it sits outside the CBD proper. The council says to ride along the Capital City Trail at the southern end of the park. It lists cycling and walking paths, barbecues and large grassed spaces, and a playground with a slide, carousel and swings.
Start at: the southern end of the park, where the council places the Capital City Trail.
Treasury Gardens — Treasury Gardens, near Parliament House and Spring Street, East Melbourne VIC 3002
The council calls Treasury Gardens one of the state’s oldest public gardens, in East Melbourne near Parliament House and Spring Street. It says to stroll the long walks beneath Moreton Bay fig trees and elm trees. Its page lists pathways, seats, drinking fountains and a public toilet, but no cycling route.
Water and toilets: the council lists drinking fountains and a public toilet.
Fitzroy Gardens — Fitzroy Gardens, bounded by Lansdowne, Wellington, Clarendon and Albert streets, East Melbourne VIC 3002
The council says Fitzroy Gardens is bounded by Lansdowne, Wellington, Clarendon and Albert streets in East Melbourne. Its page suggests a 90 minute self-guided walking tour. It also lists seats, drinking fountains, public toilets, a playground near Clarendon Street, and a cafe and visitor centre on site.
Distance / grade / surface: the council gives a 90 minute walking tour, but no distance, grade or surface.
Quick answers
Which Melbourne CBD parks connect to the Capital City Trail?
The council says Alexandra Gardens has a shared path link on its south side to join the Capital City Trail. It also says to ride the trail at the southern end of Docklands Park. The council pages for the other parks here do not mention the trail.
Where is a shared path for cycling near Federation Square?
Birrarung Marr, on the northern bank of the Yarra River between Federation Square and Melbourne Park. The council says its path is popular with both pedestrians and cyclists, and lists a shared cycling path among its facilities.
Where are drinking fountains and toilets on these routes?
Kings Domain, Alexandra Gardens, Treasury Gardens and Fitzroy Gardens each list drinking fountains and toilets on their council pages. Birrarung Marr lists public toilets. We did not record facilities for Docklands Park here, so check its council page before a longer outing.
Can I run with a dog in the CBD parks?
The council says dogs must be leashed in all public areas, unless in designated areas. That line appears on the council pages for Kings Domain, Birrarung Marr, Alexandra Gardens, Docklands Park, Treasury Gardens and Fitzroy Gardens.
How we checked
We checked every place on this page against at least two independent sources on 4 October 2026: OpenStreetMap and council pages. Facilities and opening hours change, so check the official page before you go. The photos are illustrative, from Unsplash: they show the kind of place, not the places on this page.
Seen something out of date? Email [email protected] with the page link and what has changed, and we will check it again.
Sources
- Kings Domain: openstreetmap.org/24593825, melbourne.vic.gov.au/kings-domain
- Birrarung Marr: openstreetmap.org/46330961, melbourne.vic.gov.au/birrarung-marr
- Alexandra Gardens: openstreetmap.org/24593719, melbourne.vic.gov.au/alexandra-gardens
- Docklands Park: openstreetmap.org/44158378, melbourne.vic.gov.au/docklands-park
- Treasury Gardens: openstreetmap.org/4817097, melbourne.vic.gov.au/treasury-gardens
- Fitzroy Gardens: openstreetmap.org/4817020, melbourne.vic.gov.au/fitzroy-gardens
