Sweep your partner off their feet with a romantic proposal at one of Melbourne’s iconic parks and gardens. From a serene setting to the enchanting Hochgurtel Fountain, Carlton Gardens has many picturesque spots for your big moment.

Take your romance to new heights with a hot air balloon proposal over the city skyline. Picture Melbourne glistening below, as you ask your future partner for their hand in this once-in-a-lifetime experience.

Fitzroy Gardens

As the name suggests, Fitzroy Gardens is a gorgeous in-city garden escape. It’s filled with huge formal flower beds, winding paths, a spectacular collection of trees and even a 1930s conservatory. Wander through the avenues of English elm trees, which offer a golden yellow blaze in autumn and cool green canopy in summer. Don’t miss the Scarred Tree, a reminder of how the Wurundjeri people removed bark from their trees in the past for practical uses like shields and canoes.

The Gardens’ star attraction is the Conservatory, which boasts five different floral displays each year including hydrangeas, fuchsias, begonias and cyclamens. It’s also home to a pint-sized Tudor Village and Cook’s Cottage, which are open for exploration with a tour group.

In 2014, a major redevelopment within the gardens was completed. By redesigning an old garden maintenance depot into a smaller more efficient space, the city was able to re-open a substantial section of landscaped public open space and install Melbourne’s largest stormwater harvesting system. It also helped address increasing pressures on the gardens’ water supplies, and increased demand for public open space. The result is a more resilient gardens, which demonstrates the way design can respond to social and environmental challenges.

St. Kilda Pier

Located in the heart of Melbourne, St Kilda Pier is a popular seaside destination with a rich cultural heritage. Constructed in 1853, it served as a critical docking point for steamships and ferries, facilitating transportation and trade (Parks Victoria). The pier and its pavilion are also symbolic of the city’s coastal heritage and have featured in numerous films, TV shows, and artworks, cementing their status as local icons (Heritage Council Victoria).

In recent years, the pier received a major glow-up that spanned across 450 metres and took three years to complete. The Parks Victoria restoration is the biggest pier upgrade in the city’s history. It features a community pavilion, a low landing for cruises and ferries, a new pathway that connects to the pier and beach, and an improved viewing platform for the beloved little penguins. The new pier also features recycled Kennedys Timber hardwood deck-boards and concrete, which are durable and will provide the pier with a 50-year design life.

Whether you want to take photos, stroll along the pier, or watch the sunset, St Kilda Pier is a must-visit spot for Melburnians and tourists alike. And be sure to visit at dusk to catch a glimpse of the pier’s colony of little penguins!

The Royal Botanic Gardens

Whether you’re looking for a peaceful oasis or a place that oozes romance and whimsy, Melbourne has many beautiful locations to choose from. If you want to make a statement, take your loved one on an unforgettable hot air balloon ride over the Yarra Valley for sunrise views. Unveil your engagement ring with the city glistening below as you drift high in the sky and ask for their hand in marriage to create a proposal they’ll never forget.

Or, find a quiet spot at Fitzroy Gardens and propose to your partner underneath the weeping willows or near the Fairie Dell’s miniature village to create a magical experience. Or, visit the iconic Conservatory for a romantic backdrop with its glass walls and ornate details.

If you prefer a more low-key yet romantic setting, try Easeys Rooftop Bar or The Old Arts Building for a unique urban vibe. For a more exciting experience, plan a scavenger hunt that takes your partner to various spots around town and ends at a special spot where you’ll pop the question. Or, give your loved one a ride of their life on the Melbourne Star Observation Wheel and pop the question as you enjoy spectacular views of the city lights below.

Mount Dandenong

The Dandenong Ranges, the cool green lungs of Melbourne, offer serene forest walks and quaint hilltop villages. Wander through the fern gullies of the national park and see charismatic wildlife such as lyrebirds and wallabies. Conquer the famous 1000 Steps to the Kokoda Memorial Track, visit the beautiful Olinda Falls or discover the horticultural delights of the William Ricketts Sanctuary (home to more than 93 ceramic sculptures woven into the eucalyptus forest).

The range is also home to the city’s TV and radio transmission towers, which can be seen from many parts of the suburbs of Mount Evelyn, Bayswater, Olinda and Silvan. The hills also have a rich agricultural heritage, with the district producing orchard fruits, garden crops and dairy products, plus local berries and cherries.

Throughout the area, there are a number of cosy cafes and boutique restaurants, as well as a wide range of stylish accommodation options. The nearby Cardinia Dam is another attraction, which presents a rare opportunity to walk along the walls of this remarkable engineering feat and admire the stunning natural scenery surrounding it.

Luna Park

The illustrious Coney Island amusement park was the brainchild of architect Frederic Thompson and businessman Elmer ‘Skip’ Dundy. Thompson was an extraordinary creative ingenuity and marketing genius whose disregard for financial prudence made him a natural for amusement parks, while Dundy had a keen eye for detail that balanced the eccentricity of Thompson’s designs.

The two combined their talents to create an astounding array of awe-inspiring structures, ranging from a giant whale-shaped observation tower to a series of gilded Illions-carved chariots that housed ticket booths. At night, the lights glowed and transformed the entire place into a wonderland that one reporter likened to an opium-inspired vision.

Among the attractions were the rickety Cyclone roller coaster (the original still scars the bejesus out of people to this day), a Wild River log flume, and Lynn’s Trapeze, an old-fashioned swing. Adults could enjoy a meal at Otto Schulz’s Luna Park Restaurant, or from a private box or terrace table overlooking the rides and crowded beach.

There is a lot to see and do at Luna Park, which occupies several blocks along Surf Avenue (Deno’s Wonder Wheel is a separate attraction). Purchase an all-day Luna Pass online to skip the lengthy ticket booth lines and show your date that you care enough to invest in the experience.

Rooftop Gardens

It’s a trend that has caught on globally, with cities and towns adopting legislation to require green rooftops in new buildings. “Our research indicates that people who regularly experience green space are happier and healthier,” says Dr Osmond, whose team is currently developing a design for a new park on the roof of a Melbourne office building.

The Bates Smart project will use the roof to provide an accessible and beautiful garden, as well as a green oasis for office workers. The idea is to encourage people who work in the CBD to leave the office for lunch or a break and enjoy the benefits of nature. “Contact with nature is a luxury that many are missing in our big, crowded city,” she says.

Landscape designer Susi Leeton says rooftop gardens are becoming increasingly popular in Melbourne as apartment blocks become more sophisticated and luring people away from traditional house block apartments into greener options. She believes the key is to create a dialogue between the built and natural environments. Her recent River House renovation in the Yarra bend uses steps, bridges and a lift to navigate five different levels of the home, each transitioning into the garden through plants. The design also has a number of environmental sustainability outcomes, including mitigating the urban heat island effect and filtering stormwater runoff.

Melbourne Skydeck

Located on level 88 of Eureka Tower, Melbourne Skydeck is the Southern Hemisphere’s highest observation deck and offers unforgettable views of the city. Aside from taking in the panoramic views, you can also enjoy a series of fun experiences. The best part is that it’s an experience for the entire family.

Start your Skydeck journey with a visit to the Voyager Theatre, a first-of-its-kind virtual reality theater that features 24 Positron VR pod chairs and a mind-blowing 360° cinematic and immersive voyage. Then, take a walk on the VR Plank to feel like you’re walking on a thin plank dizzyingly high above Melbourne.

You can also see the city’s famous laneways and beautiful shopping arcades from a different perspective. The Yarra River and Victoria Harbour are also visible from the deck, as well as major landmarks such as Flinders Street Station, Melbourne Cricket Ground, Port Phillip Bay and the Dandenong Ranges.

The whole family will love the Melbourne Skydeck because of the exciting views and fun experiences. It’s a great place to capture memories that will last a lifetime, especially with the help of the selfie booth. For your convenience, there is a complimentary digital photo download included with your ticket.