South Melbourne might be best known for its market and proximity to the CBD, but scratch beneath the surface and you’ll find a surprising number of green spaces tucked away between the terrace houses and industrial conversions. These aren’t your sprawling Albert Park-style reserves – they’re the neighbourhood’s quiet corners where locals walk their dogs, kids kick footballs, and office workers escape for lunch.
Ferrars Street Community Garden
Located on Ferrars Street (naturally), this community garden is easy to miss if you’re not looking for it. It’s wedged between apartment buildings and operates as a genuine working garden where local residents tend vegetable plots. There’s something oddly calming about seeing tomatoes and silverbeet growing metres from tram tracks. The garden hosts occasional workshops on composting and sustainable gardening, and while you can’t just wander in and help yourself to someone’s zucchinis, it’s open for visitors who want to see what urban agriculture looks like in practice.
Bridport Street Garden
This linear park runs along Bridport Street and functions as one of those “pocket parks” that Melbourne does surprisingly well. It’s essentially a narrow strip of greenery with established trees, garden beds, and a few benches. Nothing spectacular, but it serves its purpose – providing a buffer between the residential area and the street, and giving locals a spot to sit that isn’t their own front step. The playground equipment gets a workout from the local families, and the trees provide decent shade in summer.
Howe Parade Gardens
Technically bordering South Melbourne and Albert Park, the Howe Parade Gardens sit right on the edge of Albert Park Lake. This one’s less “hidden” and more “frequently overlooked,” probably because everyone’s focused on the lake itself. The gardens feature some mature trees, well-maintained lawns, and views across to the Grand Prix circuit. It’s a solid spot for a picnic if you want lake proximity without the Albert Park crowds. The gardens also connect to the walking and cycling paths that loop the lake, making them a natural starting or finishing point for exercise.
JL Murphy Reserve
Named after a former mayor, JL Murphy Reserve sits on Park Street and serves as the neighbourhood’s proper sports ground. It’s home to South Melbourne Football Club’s training facilities and hosts local cricket and football matches. The reserve includes playground equipment, public toilets, and enough open space for informal games. During footy season, you’ll find dedicated fans watching training sessions, and in summer, it’s a popular spot for families and dog walkers. The reserve isn’t particularly scenic, but it’s functional and well-used.
Albert Road Reserve
This narrow strip of parkland runs along Albert Road and mostly exists to create separation between the road and residential properties. It’s not going to feature in any tourism brochures, but locals appreciate it for dog walking and as a green corridor connecting different parts of the neighbourhood. The reserve includes some playground equipment and enough grass for kids to run around. It’s the kind of space that proves valuable simply by existing – providing greenery and recreational space in an otherwise built-up area.
St Vincent Gardens
Located on St Vincent Place, these gardens surround St Vincent’s Place at the heart of South Melbourne. The gardens feature formal landscaping, heritage trees, and a central rotunda that hosts the occasional outdoor event or wedding photos. It’s one of the more attractive green spaces in South Melbourne, with well-maintained flowerbeds and plenty of seating. The gardens provide a focal point for the surrounding residential area and host the South Melbourne Market on Wednesdays, Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays – though on market days, the “peaceful green space” vibe gets replaced by “bustling commercial activity.”
Finding Your Own Green Space
South Melbourne’s green spaces won’t compete with the Royal Botanic Gardens for grandeur, but they don’t need to. They serve their purpose as neighbourhood assets – places where locals can access greenery without travelling. The best approach is to explore the area on foot and discover which spaces suit your needs. Some mornings you’ll have entire parks to yourself; other times you’ll be sharing space with the local community. That’s how neighbourhood parks work.
Most of these spaces are accessible year-round, though quality varies depending on council maintenance schedules and weather. They’re not hidden in the sense of being secret – they’re just easy to miss if you’re focused on the area’s more prominent features. Take the time to explore beyond the main streets, and you’ll find South Melbourne offers more green space than its urban reputation might suggest.
