There are many beautiful public gardens in Melbourne, but the best one is the Fitzroy Gardens. Bordering Jolimont on one end and spring st on the other, it is a well patronised garden on the southeastern edge of the Melbourne CBD, bounded by Clarendon Street, Albert Street, Lansdowne Street, and Wellington Parade with the Treasury Gardens across Lansdowne street to the west.

These Victorian era gardens are well respected by local visitors and tourists alike. Their first impressions are likely to be the trees that line many of the pathways of the gardens.
The land was originally swampy with a creek draining into the Yarra River. The gardens were initially designed by Clement Hodgkinson and planted by park gardener, James Sinclair, as a dense woodland with meandering avenues.

In the early years quick growing blue gums and wattles were planted to provide wind breaks. Elm trees were planted to create avenues along pathways, which unknowingly created a pattern in resemblance to the Union Flag.

A scarred tree in the gardens has been preserved. The plaque at the bottom of the tree reads:

“The scar on this tree was created when Aboriginal people removed bark to make canoes, shields, food and water containers, string, baby carriers and other items. Please respect this site. It is important to the Wurundjeri people as traditional custodians of the land and is part of the heritage of all Australians.”