MAIN SIGHTS Federation Square
After much consternation the new Federation Square complex,
with its modern design and architecture has been well
received amongst Melbournians. Interestingly juxtaposed
against the granduer of St Paul's Cathedral and the blood
and bandage Victorian brickwork of Flinders Street Train
Station, Federation Square was designed with the idea
of providing
both a modern landmark, and space that brought together,
people, art and reminded visitors of the prensence of
the past in a modern environment. The buildings house;
The National Gallery of Victoria (NGV), The Australian
Racing Museum, The Australian Centre for the Moving Image
(ACMI), SBS Radio, as well as shops, cafes and restaurants. www.federationsquare.com.au
NGV
Houses a history of Australian art from Colonial through
to the modern. There is also a permanent collection of
Aborignal art. Open Monday to Thursday 10am - 5 pm, Friday
10am - 9pm, Saturday and Sunday 10am - 6pm, Ph: + 61 3
8662 1555. Entry is free
ACMI
Houses start of the art sound and imaging equipment. Films
and documentaries are often screened here. Open Monday
- Friday 10am - 5pm, Saturday and Sunday 10am - 6pm, Ph:
03 8663 2200
The Old Melbourne Gaol
In Victoria's oldest surving prison - no longer in use,
stand beneath the spot where Australia's most notorious
bushranger Ned Kelly was hung for his acts.
Russell Street between Victoria and La Trobe St, Phone
03 9663 7228 , Fax 03 9639 0119. Open Daily 9:30am - 5:00pm.
Closed: Good Friday and Christmas Day. Admission Adult
$12.50, Concession $9.50, Child $7.50, 5 - 16 years, Family
$33.50 (2 adults and 4 children) www.nattrust.com.au
The University of Melbourne
Located in Parkville. Take any of the trams up Swanston
Street through the centre of the city. Stroll around the
picturesque grounds and admire the beautiful sandstone
buildings of the Law and Old Arts faculties.
Parkville, Melbourne www.unimelb.edu.au
The Melbourne Aquarium
Four levels of fishy entertainment. Minutes walk from
the major train stations. Cnr Queenswharf Rd & King
St
Phone: +61 3 9620 0999 Administration +61 3 9923 5999
Admission Adult: $22.00, Child: $12.00, Concession $14.00,
Family (2 adults & up to 3 children - 4-16yrs): $55.00
Single Family (1 adult & up to 3 children - 4-16yrs):
$38.00
Extra Child: $7.50 www.melbourneaquarium.com.au
The MCG
The home of the Boxing Day test and the AFL Grand Final.
One of the finest sporting venues worldwide. Take a tour
of the ground and visit the Museum of Sport. On non event
days tours depart form the Great Southern Stand between
10 and 3. Located between the Royal Botanic Gardens and
the Fitzroy Gardens. A short walk from the city centre.
Ph (03) 9657 8867 www.mcg.org.au
TOP
MUSEUMS The Australian Racing Museum
Home to the Australian Racing Hall of Fame. Tours available
daily. www.racingmuseum.com.au
Melbourne Museum
The Melbourne Musuem was relocated in 2000 to its present
location in the Carlton Gardens opposite the striking
Royal Exhibition buildings. In a push to make art more
accessible to the public a driving philosophy behind the
museum's layout is to make it an interactive space. The
galleries inside the museum include: the mind and body
gallery, forest gallery,
evolution gallery, science and life gallery and the aboriginal
gallery.
General Admission: Adults $6.00, Children and Concession
Free,
* Children 3-16 years inclusive.
Open 10am-5pm daily, Closed Good Friday and Christmas
Day
Telephone: General Enquiries 13 11 02 (within Victoria)
Bookings 1300 130 152, Australia-wide 03 8341 7777, International
+ 61 3 8341 7777
11 Nicholson St, Carlton, Victoria
The Immigration Museum
Located in the Old Customs House in the heart of the city.
In the Immigration Museum you can explore the stories
of people from all over the world who have migrated to
Victoria from the 1800s through to the present day. Stories
are brought to life through moving images, computer interactives,
voices, memories and belongings.
General Admission Adults $6.00, Children under 16 and
Concession Free.
Disabled access & facilities available.
Immigration Museum
Old Customs House, 400 Flinders Street, Melbourne, Ph.
03 9927 2700
10.00am to 5.00pm daily (closed on Good Friday and Christmas
Day) www.immigration.museum.vic.gov.au
GALLERIES
The National Gallery - Archibald Prize
The Heidi Gallery
The Ian Potter Gallery
Boutique Galleries
Hush Hush, Hosier Lane
Smith Street, Collingwood
PARKS AND GARDENS Royal Botanic Gardens
The perfect place to take a stroll and a picnic. Take
the number 8 tram or walk along the Yarra River to get
a different perspective of the city. Catch a film at the
open air Moonlight Cinema over Summer. Open every day
of the year: Opening hours: 7.30am to 8.30pm November
to March
7.30am to 5.30pm April to October www.rbg.vic.gov.au
Treasury Gardens
Lovely tree-lined paths and monument to John F. Kennedy.
A favourite spot for state politicians to relax in.
Fitzroy Gardens
Located alongside the Treasury Gardens this garden area
is renowned in Melbourne as being second to the Botanic
Gardens in terms of beauty, botany and ambience. Captian
Cook's cottage is here, as is the mystical faerie tree.
Exhibition Gardens
The gardens of the beautiful Royal Exhibition building.
The tree-lined path ways form a replica of the Union Jack
when viewed from on high.
Central Park
Large suburban park replete with greenhouse and wildlife.
Visit on a weekend and see sports teams playing cricket
or soccer, or spend an afternoon with the bocce enthusiasts
as they stroll leisurely around the main oval, talk and
sip wine.
The St. Kilda Esplanade
The Otway National Ranges
The Dandenongs
Thanks to traveller and Melbourne resident Rohan Chiu
for compiling this information. If you would like to compile/edit/improve
a city guide write to us at oceania@backpackglobe.com
