Photo locations · Newborn · Melbourne

Best places for newborn photos in Melbourne

Planning newborn photos in Melbourne? These are the spots worth shortlisting, chosen for the light, the backdrop, and how easily a session comes together.

newborn photos by a Snappr photographer
newborn photos by a Snappr photographer
newborn photos by a Snappr photographer
newborn photos by a Snappr photographer
newborn photos by a Snappr photographer
newborn photos by a Snappr photographer
newborn photos by a Snappr photographer
newborn photos by a Snappr photographer
newborn photos by a Snappr photographer
newborn photos by a Snappr photographer
newborn photos by a Snappr photographer
newborn photos by a Snappr photographer
newborn photos by a Snappr photographer
newborn photos by a Snappr photographer
newborn photos by a Snappr photographer
newborn photos by a Snappr photographer
Where to shoot

10 places to shoot newborn photos & videos in Melbourne

01

Royal Botanic Gardens Victoria

Most popular
Birdwood Avenue, Melbourne VIC 3004 · South Yarra / Melbourne · Outdoor

38 hectares of lakes, lawns and themed gardens beside the Yarra, with the Ornamental Lake and Fern Gully. The range of manicured and natural settings suits engagement, family and maternity portraits.

For newborn photos: a gentle, low-key setting for a first session.

Best lightGolden hour on the Ornamental Lake; soft shade in Fern Gully
PermitUsually fine for small personal shoots; larger or commercial setups may need a permit.
AccessTram along St Kilda Rd; limited street parking
Group sizeSmall groups; permit conditions apply for weddings
02

Fitzroy Gardens

Editor's pick
Wellington Parade, East Melbourne VIC 3002 · East Melbourne · Outdoor

Grand Victorian-era gardens with elm avenues, fountains, Cooks' Cottage and a conservatory. The formal paths and greenery are a classic choice for wedding, family and engagement portraits.

For newborn photos: a calm backdrop that keeps baby comfortable.

Best lightDappled light along the elm avenues; soft morning light on the lawns
PermitPaid admission or entry; arrange professional sessions with the venue in advance.
AccessTram: Wellington Parade; limited street parking
SeasonElms turn golden in autumn (Apr–May)
03

Carlton Gardens

1-111 Carlton Street, Carlton VIC 3053 · Carlton · Outdoor

World Heritage-listed gardens surrounding the Royal Exhibition Building, with grand fountains, tree-lined paths and formal parterres. The architectural backdrop suits elegant couples, family and senior portraits.

For newborn photos: an intimate spot for those first-week frames.

Best lightGolden hour on the Exhibition Building facade and Hochgurtel Fountain
PermitUsually fine for small personal shoots; larger or commercial setups may need a permit.
AccessTram to Melbourne Museum; limited parking
TerrainFlat gravel and paved paths — easy access
04

Werribee Park

K Road, Werribee South VIC 3030 · Werribee South · Outdoor

Formal Victorian gardens and grand lawns surrounding the heritage Werribee Mansion, with hedges, statuary and the Grotto. The stately grounds suit engagement, family and wedding portraits wanting an estate feel.

For newborn photos: a gentle, low-key setting for a first session.

Best lightGolden hour on the mansion facade and formal lawns
PermitA permit may be required for professional shoots — check current rules with the venue or city.
AccessAbout 30 min drive from CBD; on-site parking
Group sizeSpacious grounds accommodate larger groups
05

Alfred Nicholas Memorial Gardens

Hidden gem
1A Sherbrooke Road, Sherbrooke VIC 3789 · Dandenong Ranges · Outdoor

A tranquil ornamental lake with a rustic boathouse, ferns and towering trees in the Dandenong Ranges. Lush and romantic, it's a favourite for engagement, maternity and couples sessions, especially in autumn.

For newborn photos: a calm backdrop that keeps baby comfortable.

Best lightSoft morning light and mist on the lake; autumn colour peaks May
PermitUsually fine for small personal shoots; larger or commercial setups may need a permit.
AccessAbout 1 hr drive from CBD; roadside/car park entry
TerrainSteep, unsealed garden paths — sturdy footwear advised
06

Rippon Lea Estate

Heritage estate
192 Hotham Street, Elsternwick VIC 3185 · Elsternwick · Outdoor

A 19th-century mansion set in seven hectares of Victorian pleasure gardens, with a lake and boathouse, sweeping lawns and the Southern Hemisphere's largest fernery. The quiet, layered grounds give calm, private-feeling backdrops for maternity and lifestyle newborn photos, plus grand heritage frontage for graduation and engagement. Dappled fernery light is gentle and flattering.

For newborn photos: an intimate spot for those first-week frames.

Best lightSoft morning light in the fernery and on the eastern lawns
PermitA permit may be required for professional shoots. Check current rules with the venue or city.
AccessOn-site parking and a short walk from Rippon Lea station. Fee applies; confirm current rates with the venue.
Good to knowThe lake, boathouse and fernery are the most sheltered, tranquil spots for newborns and expecting parents
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07

St Kilda Botanical Gardens

Conservatory
Blessington Street, St Kilda VIC 3182 · St Kilda · Outdoor

A gentle neighbourhood garden with rose beds, an ornamental pond, a rotunda and a warm glasshouse conservatory tucked away from the beach crowds. The calm, enclosed feel and soft greenery make it a comfortable choice for maternity, lifestyle newborn and easygoing family photos. The conservatory offers a sheltered, warm backdrop when the weather turns.

For newborn photos: a gentle, low-key setting for a first session.

Best lightMorning, when the rose garden and pond catch soft, even light
PermitA permit may be required for professional shoots. Check current rules with the venue or city.
AccessStreet parking around Blessington and Tennyson Streets; step-free paths throughout
Good to knowThe conservatory keeps limited hours, so check opening times if you want an indoor backdrop
08

Como House and Garden

Heritage estate
16 Como Avenue, South Yarra VIC 3141 · South Yarra · Outdoor

A gracious mid-Victorian mansion cared for by the National Trust, ringed by terraced lawns, a fountain garden and mature trees on a quiet rise above the Yarra. The elegant frontage suits graduation and engagement photos, while the sheltered lawns feel calm enough for maternity and gentle newborn sessions. The white balustrades and greenery frame portraits cleanly.

For newborn photos: a calm backdrop that keeps baby comfortable.

Best lightAfternoon, when the terraces and fountain garden are lit softly
PermitA permit may be required for professional shoots. Check current rules with the venue or city.
AccessLimited on-site and street parking. Fee applies for garden entry; confirm current rates with the venue.
Good to knowThe fountain terrace and lawn edges give the most private, quiet corners for families and newborns
09

Cloudehill Gardens

Cottage gardens
89 Olinda-Monbulk Road, Olinda VIC 3788 · Dandenong Ranges · Outdoor

A series of intimate garden rooms divided by stone walls and clipped hedges, ringed by towering mountain ash in the cool of the Dandenongs. Flowing borders, a green theatre and shaded walks make it lush, calm and romantic for maternity, gentle newborn and engagement photos. The dappled forest light stays soft even at midday.

For newborn photos: an intimate spot for those first-week frames.

Best lightOvercast days or midday shade, when the borders and hedges glow evenly
PermitA permit may be required for professional shoots. Check current rules with the venue or city.
AccessOn-site parking off Olinda-Monbulk Road. Fee applies for entry; confirm current rates with the venue.
Good to knowThe enclosed garden rooms give quiet, wind-sheltered corners that suit newborns and expecting parents
10

Alowyn Gardens

Wisteria arbour
1210 Melba Highway, Yarra Glen VIC 3775 · Yarra Glen · Outdoor

A formal country garden in the Yarra Valley, best known for a 100-metre wisteria arbour that spills purple in spring, plus a parterre, silver birch forest and ornamental beds. The peaceful, spacious grounds feel private and unhurried, a gentle setting for maternity, newborn and family photos. The birch walk and arbour make soft, storybook backdrops.

For newborn photos: a gentle, low-key setting for a first session.

Best lightMorning, when the arbour and birch forest fill with filtered light
PermitA permit may be required for professional shoots. Check current rules with the venue or city.
AccessOn-site parking off the Melba Highway. Fee applies for entry; confirm current rates with the venue.
Good to knowThe wisteria peaks briefly in spring, so time a spring visit if the arbour is your goal

Book a Snappr photographer in minutes. Vetted, local, and ready to shoot these spots.

From the Snappr network

Snappr newborn photos from cities across the world

A look at newborn photos our photographers have delivered, so you know the standard before you book.

Example of newborn photos delivered by the Snappr network
Example of newborn photos delivered by the Snappr network
Example of newborn photos delivered by the Snappr network
Example of newborn photos delivered by the Snappr network
Example of newborn photos delivered by the Snappr network
Example of newborn photos delivered by the Snappr network
Example of newborn photos delivered by the Snappr network
Example of newborn photos delivered by the Snappr network
A sample of newborn photos from the Snappr network

Still need a photographer?

Snappr photographers are available in Melbourne to shoot at the venue you choose. All vetted, insured, and booked through the same platform.

Pick a date and Snappr matches you with a vetted local photographer, every shoot backed by our quality guarantee.

Frequently asked questions

Shooting newborn photos in Melbourne

It depends on the spot. Public streets and sidewalks usually don't, while many parks, gardens, and landmarks require a permit for professional sessions. Each location above notes what we found on permits — confirm the current rules and any fee with the venue or city before you book.

Golden hour — the hour after sunrise or before sunset — flatters almost every location, and each spot above lists the light that works best there. Early morning also means thinner crowds at the popular ones.

Snappr pricing is flat and set before you book, with no travel or editing surprises. Most sessions run one to two hours; you can see current rates and what each tier includes on the pricing page.

Pick your date and shoot type and we match you with a vetted local photographer who shoots in Melbourne. Booking takes a couple of minutes, and you can reschedule for free if plans change.

Related pages

More places to shoot

Same guide, a different city or milestone. Every page is researched locally.