From English villages to Australian gardens: Fitzroy's century-old fairy tale, hidden in the magical forest of the red gum fairy

🌿 Location and Overview - Geographical location: Located on Wellington Parade, east of Melbourne CBD, adjacent to St. Patrick's Cathedral (the tallest church in the Southern Hemisphere), and a 10-minute walk to the Parliament Building. - Historical status: - 150 years of history: Built in the Victorian era, covering an area of ​​about 26 hectares (some data say 65 hectares, the actual official 26 hectares is the standard), it is the largest British landscape park in Melbourne. - Aerial wonders: Looking down from the sky, the tree-lined trails form a giant British Union Jack pattern, reflecting the design imprint of the colonial period. - Theme features: Combining British rural romance with Australian local ecology, all seasons are beautiful - enjoy the flowers in spring, avoid the green shade in summer, step on golden leaves in autumn, and watch the dead branches in winter. 🏛️ Five core attractions 1. Captain Cook’s Cottage - Legendary origin: Built in Yorkshire, England in 1755, it is the former residence of the parents of navigator James Cook. In 1934, to celebrate the centenary of Melbourne’s founding, it was dismantled into 253 boxes of bricks and tiles (including the original ivy) and shipped to Australia for reconstruction. - Experience highlights: - 18th-century antique furniture is displayed inside, and volunteers are guided in vintage costumes; - In the backyard, you can dress up as an immigrant of the Cook era and take interesting historical photos. - Tickets: 6.7 Australian dollars for adults and 3.6 Australian dollars for children (free in the garden, only the cottage is charged). 2. Model Tudor Village - Warm Origin: British retiree Edgar Wilson personally made and donated a miniature village to thank Melbourne for its material assistance to Britain during World War II. It reproduces the style of Kent County during the Tudor period, including models of churches, schools and Shakespeare's former residence. - Viewing method: Free viewing through the fence, the details are as exquisite as a fairy tale world. 3. Fairies Tree - Art Rebirth: Artist Ola Cohen carved more than 30 Australian creatures such as fairies, koalas, kangaroos, etc. on the dead red gum tree. A 40-year-old possum mummy was found in the trunk, which is now a favorite "magic forest" for children. 4. The Conservatory - Centennial Flower Hall: A missionary-style glass house built in 1928, which exhibits colorful flowers such as begonias and violets in four seasons, and the light and shadow through the colored windows are like a dream. 5. Interactive Landscapes and Sculptures - Dolphin Fountain: a water feature with stone sculptures of dolphins, crabs and penguins dancing together; - People’s Path: an art trail paved with bricks hand-painted by the public, each with a unique pattern; - Fire-breathing Dragon Playground: a giant dragon slide and giraffe swing that glow at night, a must-visit for family tourists. ⏰ Practical information Opening hours: The garden is open 24 hours a day; Cook's Cottage/Greenhouse 09:00-17:00 (the cottage stops admission at 16:45) Transportation: Tram 48/75 to "Spring St/Flinders St #8" (edge ​​of the free tram zone), walk 250 meters Best season: Autumn (April-May): Elm Avenue is covered with fallen leaves, and photography is beautiful. Recommended joint tour: 5 minutes walk to St. Patrick's Cathedral or Melbourne Cricket Ground 💎 Tour suggestions - Half-day route: Cook's Cottage → Greenhouse → Fairy Tree → Tudor Village → People's Road → Dolphin Fountain (about 2-3 hours). - Hidden experience: - Encounter wild Possum under the ancient tree in the early morning; - Send postcards at the Cook's Cottage Post Office with a special commemorative stamp. - Tips to avoid pitfalls: - The interior of Cook's Hut is relatively small, so history lovers or people who want to dress up and take photos are recommended to go inside; - The greenhouse is closed for a short period of time every year to change the flowers (such as late January and early April). Please check the official website before your trip. "Fitzroy is Melbourne's green lung and a living showcase of colonial memory" - from Captain Cook's brick and tile migration to the miniature village gifted by World War II, this garden uses nature as paper and is filled with humanistic stories that span time and space. #summervacay#thingstodo #familytravel #myitinerary #travel