Park life: A day out in Fawkner Park, South Yarra

WHAT CAN YOU DO THERE?

If you asked someone to close their eyes and walk into Fawkner Park, South Yarra, they would have no idea they were nestled between some of the city’s busiest roads. This vividly green, dog-friendly oasis is so close to the city, but high-rises filling its northern skyline are the only thing giving that away.

The question is, what can’t you do at Fawkner Park? With barbecues scattered across the vast tree-lined expanse, as well as rugby, soccer and cricket pitches, tennis courts, playgrounds, a walking track and idyllic, criss-crossing footpaths shaded by giant overhanging elm, oak and Moreton Bay fig trees, it is a stunning place to spend the day.

The park hasn’t changed much since it opened in 1862, named after one of Melbourne’s co-founders, John Pascoe Fawkner. Its proximity to Toorak Road means there’s great food and shopping nearby, too. The Fawkner Park Tennis Centre offers six synthetic grass courts available for use by members and non-members alike – an afternoon hit with a beautiful view, right next to a communal barbecue and picnic area. It sounds idyllic because it is.

WHO WILL YOU FIND THERE?

There is so much happening in every corner of this park – it just hums. I see joggers stopped by water fountains, laughing at something I haven’t heard but which makes me smile in turn. There’s an older lady sitting at a table sketching what she sees, an Irish wolfhound by her side. I stand a little behind her to catch a glimpse of what she’s drawing. It’s a woman and a child, the little girl sitting in the lady’s lap, holding a picture book for them both to read.

Nearing the tennis courts, I spy a woman and a young boy sitting on a checked yellow-and-white picnic blanket, looking entirely picturesque. Waiting for her son Benji’s tennis class, Uschi Schwartz says she has been coming to Fawkner Park since she was in primary school.

“I love coming back to my old park, where I grew up, where I went to Christchurch Grammar School,” Schwartz says. “We used to have a ball here.” She describes playing marbles around the big old oak trees. “I have a real connection to it; it’s a beautiful place,” she adds.

There are children everywhere, weaving through the play equipment shaded by young trees. Some in school uniforms walk side by side, their parents trailing behind, in conversation but keeping watch.

Watching couples walk the leafy footpaths hand-in-hand makes me question whether I am on a rom-com film set.

PICK UP A PICNIC

La Parisienne Pates on Toorak Road is the ideal place to grab everything you need for a picnic before you head to the park, with all the makings of cheese and charcuterie boards available to purchase. They sell wine and pastries, too – it’s basically your one-stop shop. They also do hampers.
15 – 17 Toorak Road, South Yarra
laparisiennepates.com.au

How to get there

24-88 Commercial Road, South Yarra

• Catch the 3, 3A, 5, 6, 16, 64 or 72 tram to Leopold Street, stop 2.
  Two-hour parking on side streets, with ticketed parking on main roads.

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