Royal Park, Melbourne

Royal Park
Map
TypeUrban park
LocationParkville, Victoria
Australia
Coordinates37°47′24.66″S 144°57′4.20″E / 37.7901833°S 144.9511667°E / -37.7901833; 144.9511667
Area1.81 km2 (0.70 sq mi)
Administered byCity of Melbourne
StatusOpen 24/7 all year
ParkingAvailable at multiple sites
Public transit accessRoyal Park station
Tram 58
Sunset at Royal Park

Royal Park is the largest of Melbourne's inner city parks (181 hectares or 450 acres). It is located four kilometres (2.5 mi) north of the Melbourne CBD, in Victoria, Australia, in the suburb of Parkville.

Many sporting facilities are provided including the North Park Tennis Club, Royal Park Golf Course, football and soccer ovals, baseball and cricket pitches, State Netball & Hockey Centre, and cycling and walking paths. On the corner of Gatehouse Street and Royal Parade there is a native garden. There are wide vistas of grassland and lightly timbered areas with eucalypts, casuarina, and acacias. The Melbourne City Council administers the park and instituted in 1984 a park management plan. A wetlands area was developed in 2005.

The grassy hill between the Royal Children's Hospital and the Native Garden is ideal for kite flying during the day. Over the summer months, members of the Astronomical Society of Victoria set up telescopes and conduct evening talks and tours of the night sky from this vantage point.