Suitable for picnics, social gatherings, weddings and other celebrations.
Surrey Gardens is heritage-listed and contains historical features.
The landscaped gardens provide a great backdrop to the stone cross (also known as a cenotaph), cannons and unusual artworks.
There are no toilets in Surrey Gardens.
Address
88 Union Road, Surrey Hills 3127
There is limited parking on Norfolk Road and Union Road.
Union Station is the closest train station and a 6-minute walk (450 m away).
About the gardens
Surrey Gardens is a heritage listed park established in 1917.
The gardens were designed by William Guilfoyle, a renowned landscape architect who also designed the Royal Botanic Gardens Victoria.
Historical features
‘Brooks’ Babies’
The 2 cannons, fondly known as ‘Brook's Babies’, are located at the top of the gardens.
They belonged to Arthur ‘Empire’ Brooks, a founder of the Surrey Hills Progress Association, to commemorate the end of the Boer War in 1901.
John Gray Memorial Rotunda
A band rotunda (bandstand), known as the John Gray Band Rotunda, originally stood in the Surrey Gardens. Completed in 1912, it was often used by The Surrey Hills Brass Band who performed concerts there from 1918. They also played for special events and silent movies in the gardens.
In 1920, the rotunda was enclosed to accommodate the new Surrey Hills Baby Health Centre before a purpose-built baby health centre was added on the northern edge of the gardens in 1930.
The bandstand was eventually removed in 1973. A plaque honouring the former secretary of the Surrey Hills Progress Association, John Gray, is located where the original rotunda once stood.
The current rotunda was built in 2021.
The Dimmick Gateway
Built in 1950, the entrance to the garden’s honours William Dimmick, a former Councillor (1934-1947) and Mayor of Camberwell (1935-1936).
World War 1 memorials
Shrine War Memorial
Surrey Gardens is one of the first places in Australia to feature a First World War memorial
The shrine was erected in 1918 and includes an honour roll carved by local resident, J. K. Blogg.
As part of its 100th-anniversary restoration in 2018, additional soldier names were added to the shrine. These names were researched by local resident, Sandra Dexter.
Memorial Cross
A stone cross was built in the gardens in 1912 to honour the men of Surrey Hills and Mont Albert who were serving in World War I.
Gallipoli Oak tree (Quercus coccifera)
A significant tree planting ceremony was held at Surrey Gardens on ANZAC Day in 2015 to commemorate the 100th anniversary of World War I.
The ceremony was held by the Gallipoli and Beyond Group which consisted of members from Boroondara’s historical societies.
Cubs from the 4th Scout Group helped plant the tree. The Gallipoli Oak is grown from an acorn that came from a lone tree that survived the Gallipoli campaign during the First World War.
The acorns were collected by several soldiers during the war and sent or brought back to Australia, where some were then planted.
The tree is now known as a symbol of remembrance.
