Princes Park Walking Tour In Summer – Carlton Melbourne
I’ve walked or run around Princes Park more times than I can remember. It’s one of those places that quietly becomes part of your routine. No matter how many laps you’ve done, there’s always something slightly different about each visit.
Like any park, the seasons transform it. Autumn might be my favourite for colour, but summertime has its own rhythm. Weekends bring a mix of energy and chilled vibes. As you make your way around, you’ll pass games of cricket. Some casual, others much more serious.
Not far away, soccer games unfold across open sections of grass (yes, even in summer). There’s also that frisbee game—fast, fluid, and a little intense despite its laid-back appearance.
Princes Park is a haven for dogs. After being confined to leads along busy stretches of Sydney Road or Lygon Street, this is where they come alive.
Canines sprint across open grass, chase balls endlessly, and greet each other like old friends. As a middle-aged walker, their energy makes me feel like there’s still a lighter, faster version of me somewhere inside.
View of Melbourne City
Galah feasting and fighting
A leafy path through the park
Plenty of shade in Princes Park
Sit and relax
A bench next to Royal Parade
Princes Park highlights
Icon Park
Icon is the home ground for the women’s Carlton team, part of the AFLW. You don’t see a lot of action in summer, but they get some big crowds during the finals season.
The Lake: A Place to Slow Down
The lake (or pond) has to be the main attraction. Surrounded by mature trees, it offers patches of shade that are gold in Melbourne’s summer heat.
The water reflects the light through the leaves, and people gather nearby to sit, read, drink, or simply do nothing. Occasionally, a faint herbal scent in the air reminds you that Brunswick is never far away.
Fitness in the Heat
Scattered around Princes Park are fitness stations. Pull-up bars, situps, and other simple equipment built into the landscape. In summer, using them becomes a test of timing. The midday sun makes even a few pull-ups feel harder than usual.
Prefer tennis? Book in a court at a time to suit. Warning: during the Australian Open, everyone wants to play, so book in early.
Lawn Bowls
Tucked into one corner, near the water feature, is the Princes Park Carlton Bowls Club. Sometimes you’ll see organised matches. Other times, it’s more social; people gathering, rolling bowls awkwardly and enjoying a drink or three.
On The Go Map
A Park That Changes, But Stays the Same
Princes Park isn’t dramatic and doesn’t have the beauty of the Royal Botanical Gardens. But it’s a 15 minute tram ride on the #19 from Elizabeth St. Whether you’re visiting Melbourne for the first time or a local, add this one to your calendar.
Visit in the morning before the crowds arrive, then hit Sydney Road for some shopping and people watching. Finally, take a short walk to Lygon Street for one of the liveliest eating spots in Australia (between Brunswick Road and Victoria Street).
No matter how many times you’ve been, Princes Park always feels worth another lap.
Final tip: If you decide to come Saturday, keep in mind there’s a Park Run at 8am. There are hundreds of runners, so if you enjoy parks for quiet time, avoid 7.30am to 9.00am.
