This is part two of my writing about Melbourne. I visited to learn more about the City and to encourage you to spend time discovering it as well.
A City of Culture and Heritage:
Let's start with the well-known. Queen Victoria Market. This market, situated on the corner of Elizabeth and Victoria streets is an icon. It's been in existence for more than 100 years. In the last 20 years it has really evolved and become more organised that I remember, and yet still hasn't lost the hawker and trader vibe.
I was delighted with the lanes filled with fruit and vegetable sellers, the lanes full of Deli ingredients, eggs, meats, breads, and more. As a foodie, I loved this! If I lived in Melbourne (and it would be very very easy for me to do so), I'd be here every week buying my produce.
The people-watching is just wonderful. The seething mass of humanity, many wearing a cacophony of colour and mismatched jewellery, was a sight!
Definitely take a few hours out of your day to visit. There are places to eat, places to procure a good coffee and places to sit and absorb. If your kids have an expectation of gifts from your trip, this is the place to obtain them.
The Melbourne Museum. This is absolutely worth visiting. I loved the Forest Gallery. It's a showcase of Victorian flora and fauna exhibit. Loved the different exhibits currently showing. Learning about the origins of Victoria and Melbourne, discovering wonders from pre-history. There was a Dinosaur exhibit on (Seriously, who doesn't like dinosaurs?). The taxidermy collection of animals was amazing. Beautifully presented. Cost of entry for an adult? Only $12.
The Melbourne Star Observation Wheel. This wheel is similar to the London Eye. Pricing: $32 per adult, 30 minute flight. I didn't get the opportunity to try it out as I was informed that it is best to take the ride as dusk falls and it gets dark for the full lit-city experience.
Armistice Day occurred during our visit. I need to make some comment about this. It was a privilege to be outside Flinders St Station at the 11th hour of the 11th day. Traffic stopped. Trams stopped. Pedestrians stopped. And the bells tolled.
At precisely 11am there was an overflight by the airforce - four planes in tight formation - adding to the gravitas. A bugler made his way into the empty intersection to play the Last Post. (Sidenote: He nearly got cleaned out by a cab driver who was oblivious to what was going on, and drove through the intersection).
After the ceremony we made our way further South to the Shrine of Remembrance and caught the end of the official service. It was very moving.
The Royal Botanic Gardens. This is a beautiful space. The pathways are well-paved and well-organised. This is definitely a must-visit if you like the outdoors. Walking through the trees and plantlife is wonderful. Sitting by the well-formed lakes is really good for sore tourist feet. Getting to know a bit of Victoria through its greenery is fantastic. This is a place of meditative qualities - tranquility amidst the hustle and bustle of a big city.
The National Gallery of Victoria is currently running a Jean Paul Gaultier exhibition.
This is on until 8th February, 2015. If you have an interest in fashion, art and design this is a must-see. Even if you don't, it's still pretty spectacular. Amazing craftsmanship on display, and displayed in such an interesting, creative way through mixed audio-visual media.
Next door in the Arts Centre, an adaptation of Puccini's Tosca is playing until 13 December 2014. If you love opera, then this would be worth flying to Melbourne for over a weekend.
I feel that whilst I covered a lot of ground, I have really only scratched the surface of this place. I'd love to explore and discover the underground arts, design, theatre and creatives.
For more information about Melbourne check out Visit Melbourne. There are always reasons to visit and fares are reasonable. Call us for more information.