While we didn’t walk far enough south to see the Royal Botanic Gardens on our free walking tour, our guide did recommend it. And since I’m inherently interested in anything free, it’s an easy decision to add it to my list of Melbourne attractions to visit.

The walk here is almost as pretty as the main attraction — I pass through Queen Victoria Gardens and stop at the Sidney Meyer Bowl to admire the city skyline behind me.

This is the Shrine of Remembrance, dedicated to soldiers who have lost their lives fighting for Australia.

At the suggestion of a volunteer, I climb to the rooftop of the Shrine to admire the view.

And now finally onwards to the Royal Botanic Gardens just across the street.

That’s it — just beauty shots of foliage, flowers, and idyllic lakes. I keep my iPod on most of the afternoon and enjoy listening to new music (Kerrigan & Lowdermilk and Audra McDonald’s new albums) while strolling through the gardens. A lovely way to spend an afternoon.