Trips Places Foods Stories Newsletters

Take your next trip with Atlas Obscura!

Our small-group adventures are inspired by our Atlas of the world's most fascinating places, the stories behind them, and the people who bring them to life.

Visit Adventures
Trips Highlight
A view of Brașov’s Old Town.
Romania • 12 days, 11 nights
Legends of Romania: Castles, Ruins & Culinary Delights
from
Balkans road trip
Bosnia and Herzegovina • 9 days, 8 nights
Balkans Road Trip: Serbia, Croatia & Bosnia and Herzegovina
from
View all trips
Loading...
Latest Places to Eat & Drink
View All Places to Eat »
Hunter House Hamburgers
L’Escamoteur
Names on the bartop.
The Dive
Cacio e pepe lasagna combines two classics.
C'è Pasta... E Pasta!
Spaghetto taratatà is named for the sound of rattling sabers.
Giano Restaurant
Recent Stories
All Stories Video Podcast
Most Recent Stories
View All Stories »
Our producer Manolo Morales would spend his final days perusing the shelves at Book Off.
Where Would You Go to Wait for the Apocalypse?
This event showcasing the bounty of the Traverse City region’s amazing agriculture, craft, and creativity culminates with a Grand Tasting on August 23.
The Atlas Obscura Guide to Traverse City’s Event Season
She’ll get you and your little dog too.
Dear Atlas: Where Can I Explore Witch History Without the Kitsch?
How to Turn Your Road Trip Into a Nature Scavenger Hunt

No search results found for
“”

Make sure words are spelled correctly.

Try searching for a travel destination.

Places near me Random place

Popular Destinations

  • Paris
  • London
  • New York
  • Berlin
  • Rome
  • Los Angeles
Trips Places Foods Stories Newsletters
Sign In Join
Places near me Random place
All Australia Melbourne The Dolphin Fountain
AO Edited

The Dolphin Fountain

Somewhat controversial when first unveiled, this gathering of sea creatures has become a hidden gem.

Melbourne, Australia

Added By
Obscuravibes
Email
Been Here
Want to go
Added to list
CAPTION
The Dolphin Fountain   Obscuravibes / Atlas Obscura User
  Collector of Experiences / Atlas Obscura User
  Collector of Experiences / Atlas Obscura User
The Dolphin Fointain   Obscuravibes / Atlas Obscura User
The Dolphin Fountain   Obscuravibes / Atlas Obscura User
  Collector of Experiences / Atlas Obscura User
The Dolphin Fountain   Obscuravibes / Atlas Obscura User
The Dolphin Fountain   Obscuravibes / Atlas Obscura User
  Gavin / Atlas Obscura User
The Dolphin Fountain   Obscuravibes / Atlas Obscura User
Been Here
Want to go
Added to list

About

Fitzroy Gardens has several quirky sights and attractions scattered across 64 acres of green space, but none received such mixed reviews than The Dolphin Fountain. Situated in the middle of the park at the edge of the Central Business District in East Melbourne, this fine monument consists of a pyramid of granite boulders, on top of which lie a variety of different sea creatures. Visitors will find dolphins, octopuses, crabs, sea birds, sea turtles, and many more aquatic animals scattered across the rocks. 

The fountain was sculpted by local artist June Arnold and was unveiled in 1982. Two wealthy benefactors from the city of Melbourne donated a total of $30,000 towards the development and construction of the fountain. A small plaque can be found on the fountain which has their names inscribed, acknowledging this financial donation to the local people.

Interestingly, the fountain split public opinion with some questioning the relevance to the city of Melbourne and its location in a site as iconic as Fitzroy Gardens. Initially, the fountain was proposed to take pride of place on Albert Street, but something of a compromise was met when it was decided by the local council to place the fountain in a secluded area near a small lake in the center of the park. The tranquil spot is the perfect place to relax. The fountain is now a favorite of visitors to the area. 

Related Tags

Fountains Architecture Art Design

Know Before You Go

"The Dolphin Fountain" can be found at the Northside of the small lake in the center of Fitzroy Gardens. It is easily accessible and there is a small area to walk around the water and take in the beauty of the spot. 

Community Contributors

Added By

Obscuravibes

Edited By

Collector of Experiences, Gavin

  • Collector of Experiences
  • Gavin

Published

October 11, 2021

Edit this listing

Make an Edit
Add Photos
Sources
  • https://citycollection.melbourne.vic.gov.au/the-dolphin-fountain/
  • http://www.fitzroygardens.com/Dolphin_Fountain.htm
The Dolphin Fountain
2-4 Lansdowne St
East Melbourne
Melbourne, 3002
Australia
-37.811902, 144.980133
Get Directions

Nearby Places

Model Tudor Village

Melbourne, Australia

miles away

Captain Cook's Cottage

Melbourne, Australia

miles away

Fairies Tree

Melbourne, Australia

miles away

Explore the Destination Guide

Photo of Melbourne

Melbourne

Australia

Places 54
Stories 4

Nearby Places

Model Tudor Village

Melbourne, Australia

miles away

Captain Cook's Cottage

Melbourne, Australia

miles away

Fairies Tree

Melbourne, Australia

miles away

Explore the Destination Guide

Photo of Melbourne

Melbourne

Australia

Places 54
Stories 4

Related Places

  • Fontana dei Libri

    Rome, Italy

    Fontana dei Libri

    A small but very fascinating fountain in the center of Rome with four books and a deer carved.

  • Art Nouveau Vestibule

    Prague, Czechia

    Prague Hlavni Nadrazi Vestibule

    A historic and beautiful Art Nouveau chamber in a historic railway station.

  • Trying to show the different types of symbolic jets.

    Vienna, Austria

    Hochstrahlbrunnen

    Along the edge of this fountain are 365 smaller fountains that represent the days of the year.

  • Kothari Pyau

    Mumbai, India

    Kothari Pyau

    Constructed in 1923, this is one of several heritage drinking fountains across Mumbai.

  • Fitzgerald Fountain

    Mumbai, India

    Fitzgerald Fountain

    A tribute to one of Bombay's former governors that has withstood the test of time.

  • The Tower as seen from the parking lot below

    Brasília, Brazil

    Torre de TV Digital

    One of the last designs from architect Oscar Niemeyer.

  • People experiencing Secondwind 2005.

    Cádiz, Spain

    'Secondwind 2005'

    An otherworldly art experience.

  •  The Storyteller

    Birmingham, Alabama

    'The Storyteller'

    This fountain was commissioned by a mother grieving over her son's passing.

Aerial image of Vietnam, displaying the picturesque rice terraces, characterized by their layered, verdant fields.
Atlas Obscura Membership

Become an Atlas Obscura Member


Join our community of curious explorers.

Become a Member

Get Our Email Newsletter

Follow Us

Facebook YouTube TikTok Instagram Pinterest RSS Feed

Get the app

Download the App
Download on the Apple App Store Get it on Google Play
  • All Places
  • Latest Places
  • Most Popular
  • Places to Eat
  • Random
  • Nearby
  • Add a Place
  • Stories
  • Food & Drink
  • Itineraries
  • Lists
  • Video
  • Podcast
  • Newsletters
  • All Trips
  • Family Trip
  • Food & Drink
  • History & Culture
  • Wildlife & Nature
  • FAQ
  • Membership
  • Feedback & Ideas
  • Community Guidelines
  • Product Blog
  • Unique Gifts
  • Work With Us
  • About
  • FAQ
  • Advertise With Us
  • Advertising Guidelines
  • Privacy Policy
  • Cookie Policy
  • Terms of Use
Atlas Obscura

© 2025 Atlas Obscura. All Rights Reserved.