Melbourne
has several places to visit throughout the metropolitan area and
is also an ideal city for visitors to stroll around, savouring
the ambience and lifestyle. The central business district has
a spectacular skyline with some intriguing modern
architecture. The latest example of this is the large and controversial
new civic hub Federation Square, with its sandstone plaza, galleries
and restaurants.
However, lovers of Australian colonial history will only have
to walk through Melbourne to discover many examples of Victorian
buildings nestling among the skyscrapers or dotted throughout
the suburbs. The complex ironwork decorating the mansions and
business houses testify to the wealth brought to the city during
the gold rush.
Several examples can be found along Collins Street, number 333,
an imposing building that opened in 1891, is famous for its beautiful
domed ceiling and equally as extravagant interior, which reflects
Melbourne’s golden heyday.
The Block Arcade shopping centre, also on Collins Street, is a
courteous Victorian building and the Old Royal Mint, on William
Street, is also a particularly good example. Close to Bourke Street
Mall and Swanston Walk are diverse narrow lanes and arcades with
a mix of colourful bars, chic clubs, coffee houses and elegant
arcades.
Melbourne’s gardens and parks
reflect their British heritage. A perfect example is Fitzroy Gardens,
laid out to represent the Union Jack. Close by, the charming Treasury
Gardens are home to the Old Treasury Building, while to the north
is Parliament House, which is open to the public when parliament
is not in session.
Carlton Gardens is home to the new Melbourne Museum
and the adjacent Royal Exhibition Building, built for the 1880
Great Exhibition and based on Crystal Palace in London. This is
where Australia’s Parliament sat from 1901 until 1927. In
2001, a renovation on the site celebrated the centenary of federation.
Kings Domain, south of Yarra River, is a enjoyable park housing
the Sidney Myer Music Bowl, Government House, the Old Melbourne
Observatory and Latrobe’s Cottage.
Further afield, the colonial mansions of Como House, in South
Yarra, and Werribee Park, in Werribee, both have stunning formal
gardens, the latter contains the Victoria State Rose Gardens.
Chinatown is situated at the eastern end of Little Bourke Street
and has been located there since the start of the gold rush. The
narrow lanes are crammed with Chinese restaurants
and supermarkets. The Chinese Museum, Cohen Place,
is worth a visit to learn about the donation the Chinese community
has made to the growth of Melbourne.
Tourist Information
Melbourne Visitor Information Centre
Address: Melbourne Town Hall, corner of Swanston Street Walk and
Little Collins Street
Telephone: (03) 9658 9658
Facsimile: (03) 9650 6168.
Email address: tourism@melbourne.vic.gov.au
Website address: www.melbourne.vic.gov.au
Opening hours: Monday to Friday from 9.00 am to 6.00 pm, Saturday
to Sunday 9.00 am to 5.00 pm.
Other tourist information offices are located at Flinders Street
Station and Bourke Street Mall.
Passes
The Melbourne Attractions Pass is a book of coupons for entry
to up to 4 of 11 different attractions, including the Melbourne
Museum, Melbourne Cricket Ground, Old Melbourne Goal, Melbourne
Zoo, Melbourne Observation Deck and Scienceworks Museum.
The pass costs A $54 and is accessible from Royal Automobile Club
Victoria offices or from travel agents. |
