The Street Garden and Street Art Walk
What is this walk?
This is a walk that celebrates street gardening and street art created by residents of South Melbourne on public land! You will mosey through a part of South Melbourne that is full of gems….hidden in plain sight. You will have a gander at street gardens and street art installations big and tiny!
How long does it take?
The walk takes about 45 minutes.
How many “sights” are there?
The walk will take you through 13 ‘sights’ but there are many other things to see inbetween- in all seasons too!
Below is the map (that is downloadable if you press the button) and then scroll down for pics+info covering each stop.
Coffee? Snacks?
Scroll down for 3 amazing coffee and snack stops you can visit along the way!
Feedback…
I would love to know how you get on and, by clicking the button at the bottom of this page, you can send me your feedback. Thank you!
Love, Emma
For a printable version of the map click here…
The Street Garden Walk in pics……
The 3 Laneways, Cobden St
Three bluestone laneways- just down from Moray Street. Three very different avid gardeners- Judy, Emma and John. John and Judy have been here for decades watching the many changes on what was once known as one of the most terrible streets in South Melbourne!
2.The Local Library, Cobden St
Check out (a book at) the most beautiful little community library! TJ and Clint are responsible for this wonderful asset to Cobden St and this very beautifully crafted library comes complete with - I kid you not! - smooth jazz music that plays when you open the door!
3. The Hidden Laneway, Cobden St
Tom and the other residents that back onto this laneway have turned it from a tip to a wonderful extension of their own backyards and a registered community garden- fantastic!
It has taken over three years to sort it out - the space was originally piled high with garbage bags, building materials dead animals, hazardous substances and many other sharp and dangerous articles. Over this time there was loads of Council help in there as well as a huge clean up from all of the residents.
Tom and all of the others absolutely love it and grow herbs, berries and loads of other plants.
Tom’s advice? If you have a deserted tip of a laneway you can absolutely do something with it!……and consult excessively with as many people as you can.
Photo credit: Tom Everitt
4. Aphrodite at Millie’s Garden, Raglan St
What can be said of a lovely nature strip garden (complete with worm tower!) and a huge statue that is dressed in crazy op-shop outfits that reflect local and world events?
AMAZING!
See Aphrodite on Facebook at Aphrodite on Raglan
5. Greg’s Garden and Street Art Installation, Church St
Greg Irvine started his street garden only a couple of years ago and boy, it is something! The tree in the garden looks like something out of an Alice in Wonderland tea party setting!
6. The Rainbow Tree, Bridport St
The incredible outfit for this beautiful Queensland Pink Flame tree was made after a local mum passed away. Her best friend’s mum made this in memory of her. When the tree is in flower with its huge pink flowers, it stands out a mile and adds character, colour and much love to this block. Both my daughter and I adore it - we give it a hug every visit and send love to the family to whom this belongs.
7. Have a seat! Cecil St
Have a rest— you’re half way!
8. Giant Street Garden, Bridport St
This is an enormous nature strip that has been gradually turned from grass to garden over the past few years. At first it was just the one resident involved then people started to leave plants and cuttings on his doorstep! There are beautiful native trees (which are very valuable for biodiversity) and underneath sit plants like echiums (some of which have metre high flower heads that are always covered in bees- INCREDIBLE!), agapanthus, succulents galore and small native shrubs.
9. Peter’s Garden, Napier St
Peter Gertler has been working and living here in South Melbourne for many decades now and has been gradually adding to this very public corner over that time. He has plants like pigface, irises and rose geraniums- and he even planted the oak tree (on the opposite side of the street of this pic).
10. Ynys’ Patch, Napier St
Ynys tended to many Napier St street gardens for decades. When she passed away last year Peter Gertler made this beautiful plaque in her memory. She was an awesome street gardener and much loved by locals. Her tenacity and determination got things done and she is responsible for the street being lined with jacaranda trees. Thanks Ynys! This particular garden is about to get a gentle makeover after not been touched for about a year.
11. Spangly Wangly Reindeer, Cobden St
Pam is a wonderful and generous person and artist. She puts together beautiful and eclectic street gardens like Spangly Wangly here and Alice (top pic is of Alice in Wonderland with a cat and tea cup on her head!). Pam has been gradually expanding over the decades and has recently started another two gardens!
12. Tiny Bear and Bird and Bear, Cobden St
Ann and Ann have organised this delightful spot where Bird and Bear discuss their shadows in the window and Tiny Bear says hello to everyone as they pass by. They also have a wonderful “art installation” letterbox that exhibits hand-made scenes reflecting the seasons (at the moment it is a winter tea party of sorts!). Their street garden reflects their love of fun and interaction with children (big and small!) with BIG and small rocks, daisies and pebbles ready to plop into bowls of water.
13. The South Melbourne BEE Gardens
With the help of many locals, Emma has, since the beginning of the year, been creating the first public garden in Australia dedicated to honey bees and native bees. Enjoy the different micro-worlds in the form of 8 gardens designed to bring beauty and joy to us humans and sustenance and habitat to all of the wonderful critters in the area. For more information on each garden click here. For activities to do click here.
Coffee? Snack?…Try these awesome locals out!
The Relief Unit.
246 Park St, South Melbourne
0418 798 042
Park Lane Cafe.
387 Clarendon St, South Melbourne
Eastern Road Larder.
74 Eastern Road, South Melbourne
0450 207 874
