Melbourne is blessed with some of the best gardens in the world. Melbourne�s supreme garden, and surely one of the world�s finest is the Royal Botanic Gardens. It�s only 15 minutes away by tram from the city centre. So, let�s PICNIC and enjoy. It�s a marvelous undulating garden beside the Yarra River (again!), and offers tranquil breathing space where visitors can pleasantly get lost in fern grottoes, cactus gardens, watch black swans cruise regally over the lake, or explore its 40 hectares (88 acres) of green lawns and thousands of native and exotic plants. [see garden in autumn] At weekends, you�ll find Melburnians doing their �thing�. Greek families will be with their mountains of food and bouzouki music, Asian martial art experts practicing their movements, sunbathers, elderly couples reliving their youth etc etc etc.