Guilfoyle's Volcano

Guilfoyle's Volcano sits within the Royal Botanic Gardens on Birdwood Avenue, just south of the Melbourne CBD. A beautifully restored 19th-century ornamental water reservoir — designed by the gardens' famous director William Guilfoyle — it's a striking and unusual feature, combining its original water-storage purpose with lovely landscaping, dramatic plantings and water that reflects the sky.

The appeal is that combination of heritage, clever design and beauty: the restored 'volcano' showcases drought-tolerant plantings and water-sensitive design, making it both a scenic highlight and a fascinating piece of the gardens' history. It's a lovely spot to pause within one of the city's most beautiful green spaces.

With a 4.7 rating from more than 600 reviews, it's a much-loved feature. It's part of the free, open Royal Botanic Gardens, but the gardens' opening hours and any guided walks or events vary, so it's worth checking current details before you visit — and pairing a look at the volcano with a wander through the wider Royal Botanic Gardens, one of the loveliest in the country.