Melbourne , Victoria, Australia — Oceania

A Grand Design

— Royal Botanic Gardens - Melbourne —

Photographed by Dean Barton-Ancliffe, March 30, 2026

1. A Grand Design Marker

Inscription. When Director William Guilfoyle set out to redesign the gardens in 1873 he removed his predecessor Mueller's straight lines of planting and replaced them with sweeping lawns, curving pathways, lakes and hidden vistas of the Gardens that we enjoy today.

Guilfoyles was heavily influenced by the 'gardenesque' style of design, where natural rock-gardens, grottos and rustic bridges together with striking mixtures of Australian and introduced species, transformed an Australian landscape into an exotic and artfully composed 'paradise' garden.

Another strong influence came from his visit to the New Hebrides in 1868 where he saw an active volcano.

Sited at the highest point of the gardens and completed in 1876, Guilfoyle's Volcano served as a water reservoir and a landscape 'folly' where, 'like lava flowing down to the sea, green lawns flowed out from the crater down to Nymphea Lake. The mounds of rock-work and plants were his islands.

Guilfoyle captured his vision in this original watercolour. Today, his historic design has been given a contemporary twist, with plant beds and coloured pavement flowing out from the crater

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and volcanic basalt rocks scattered throughout the site.

This contemporary design allows us to understand and appreciate Guilfoyle's original volcano vision.

(Photo:) A precious visual record of Guilfoyles garden design
Watercolour by William R. Guilfoyle
Library collection Royal Botanic Gardens Victoria

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Colonial Era • Parks & Recreational Areas. A significant historical year for this entry is 1876.

Location. 37° 49.952′ S, 144° 59.011′ E. Marker is in Melbourne, Victoria. It can be reached from Fairlie Court 0.1 kilometers west of Fairle Court. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: Anderson Street, Melbourne VIC 3004, Australia. Touch for directions.

Regionally, it is in Oceania,

Australasia,

the Pacific Ocean,

South Pacific,

the Pacific Rim,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once a British colony.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: A new view of Melbourne (a few steps from this marker); Resurrecting a volcano - Guilfoyle's Volcano

The view from the A Grand Design Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Dean Barton-Ancliffe, March 30, 2026

2. The view from the A Grand Design Marker

(a few steps from this marker); A prickly problem (within shouting distance of this marker); The Field Collection (within shouting distance of this marker); The Blossfeld Expedition (within shouting distance of this marker); Design Inspiration (within shouting distance of this marker); The Arid Garden (about 90 meters away, measured in a direct line); Domain Road Gate (about 120 meters away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Melbourne.

Credits. This page was last revised on March 30, 2026. It was originally submitted on March 30, 2026, by Dean Barton-Ancliffe of Rowville, Victoria. This page has been viewed 12 times since then. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on March 30, 2026, by Dean Barton-Ancliffe of Rowville, Victoria. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.