Aerial view of Melbourne's Domain, designed as a single parkland bounded by the Yarra River, and St Kilda and Domain Roads. Government House is viewed over its west lawn looking towards the State Rooms. The Royal Botanic Gardens are to the left, the Shrine of Remembrance to the right, and the Myer Music Bowl in front.

Following Sayce, Guilfoyle arranged the gardens as a combination of clumps of shrubbery and broad sweeping lawns which provide intermittent vistas of the house. He designed the gardens so that 'at every step the visitor finds some new view - something fresh, lively, and striking, especially when tastefully arranged'. The garden illustrates the 19th century picturesque ideal of a compromise between art and nature, neither uncultivated nor totally formal.

In 1931 the Director of the Botanic Gardens, Mr Rae, described the conception of the garden; "the layout is remarkably simple. The essentials are one main drive, one main lawn, and one encircling path." This ideal still prevails. Changes in 1934 altered the dimensions of the garden. The new boundary fence dissected the main lawn, drastically lessening its area. In addition heavier foliage, perimeter vegetation and the random planting of ceremonial trees has meant the lawn is now contained and enclosed.