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
Slovenia mushroom foraging
Slovenia • 6 days, 5 nights
Forest to Table in Alpine Slovenia
from
Central Asia yurt night stars
Uzbekistan • 15 days, 14 nights
Central Asia Road Trip: Backroads & Bazaars
from
View all trips
Top Destinations
Latest Places
Most Popular Places Random Place Lists Itineraries
Add a Place
Download the App
Top Destinations
View All Destinations »

Countries

  • Australia
  • Canada
  • China
  • France
  • Germany
  • India
  • Italy
  • Japan

Cities

  • Amsterdam
  • Barcelona
  • Beijing
  • Berlin
  • Boston
  • Budapest
  • Chicago
  • London
  • Los Angeles
  • Mexico City
  • Montreal
  • Moscow
  • New Orleans
  • New York City
  • Paris
  • Philadelphia
  • Rome
  • San Francisco
  • Seattle
  • Stockholm
  • Tokyo
  • Toronto
  • Vienna
  • Washington, D.C.
Latest Places
View All Places »
“Yo Soy el Buen Pastor Ego Sum Pastor Bonus” by Bernardo Ramonfaur.
Museo Arquidiocesano de Arte Sacro (Archdiocese Sacred Art Museum)
Burke Building.
Burke Building
‘La Grande Assiette Brisée’ (‘The Large Broken Plate’)
Ellijay Mushrooms Farm
Latest Places to Eat & Drink
View All Places to Eat »
View of the full general store from the second floor.
MoonPie General Store
A slice of cake is the perfect coda to a meal at Piatto Romano.
Piatto Romano
Crunchy and supremely satisfying, suppli might be the ultimate street food snack.
Supplizio
The pedigreed pistachios here are from Bronte.
Gelateria dei Gracchi
This tiny hole-in-the-wall serves one of the world’s most magnificent sandwiches.
Er Buchetto
Recent Stories
All Stories Video Podcast
Most Recent Stories
View All Stories »
Our journey begins in Texas—more specifically in Big Bend National Park.
The Atlas Obscura (Audio) Guide to the National Parks
about 21 hours ago
While initially unsanctioned, Toronto’s graffiti community converted this largely ignored alleyway into an epicenter of world-class street art.
10 Unexpected Places Where Creativity Shines in Toronto
about 21 hours ago
Prehistoric creatures roam the grounds of the Dinosaur House.
Roadside Dinosaurs: An American Love Story
about 22 hours ago
There’s No Right Way to Say ‘Taco’
1 day ago

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
The Dolphin Fountain   Obscuravibes / Atlas Obscura User
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.