A woman's body has been found by joggers this morning in Melbourne's Royal Botanic Gardens.

Joggers found the body lying on the grass beside busy St Kilda Road about 7:30am AEST.

The homicide squad was called in and Inspector Sharon Cowden said it was not known how long the body had been there or how she died.

"We are yet to [confirm] the identity of the female and we are still to determine the circumstances of her death," she said.

"There have been a lot of people in the area and if anyone is able to assist police with their investigation we would like you to contact CrimeStoppers."

Police blocked off St Kilda Rd while State Emergency Service (SES) volunteers conducted a line search of the area as part of the investigation.

"The whole scene has been blocked off ... and at this point in time anything found in the crime scene will be examined to see if it's connected to the crime or the circumstances of her death," Inspector Cowden said.

Inspector Cowden would not say if the death was suspicious.

