World City Guide

Sightseeing

Sightseeing Overview
Melbourne has a wealth of 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 stunning skyline with some intriguing modern architecture. The latest example of this is the enormous 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 the city to discover many examples of Victorian buildings nestling among the skyscrapers or dotted throughout the suburbs. The intricate ironwork decorating the mansions and business houses testify to the wealth brought to the city during the gold rush. Many examples can be found along Collins Street – number 333, an imposing building that opened in 1891, is famous for its stunning domed ceiling and equally as extravagant interior, which reflects Melbourne’s golden heyday. The Block Arcade shopping centre, also on Collins Street, is a gracious Victorian building and the Old Royal Mint, on William Street, is also a particularly fine example. Close to Bourke Street Mall and Swanston Walk are eclectic narrow lanes and arcades with a mix of colourful bars, chic clubs, coffee houses and elegant arcades.

Melbourne’s parks and gardens reflect their British heritage. A perfect example is Fitzroy Gardens, laid out to represent the Union Jack. Close by, the delightful 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 re-enactment on the site celebrated the centenary of federation. Kings Domain, south of Yarra River, is a pleasant 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 delightful formal gardens – the latter contains the Victoria State Rose Gardens.

Chinatown is located at the eastern end of Little Bourke Street and has been situated there since the start of the gold rush. The narrow lanes are packed with Chinese restaurants and supermarkets. The Chinese Museum, Cohen Place, is worth a visit to learn about the contribution the Chinese community has made to the growth of Melbourne.

Tourist Information
Melbourne Visitor Information Centre
Melbourne Town Hall, corner of Swanston Street Walk and Little Collins Street
Tel: (03) 9658 9658. Fax: (03) 9650 6168.
E-mail: tourism@melbourne.vic.gov.au
Website: www.melbourne.vic.gov.au
Opening hours: Mon-Fri 0900-1800, Sat-Sun 0900-1700.

Other tourist information offices are located at Bourke Street Mall and Flinders Street Station.

Passes
The Melbourne Attractions Pass is a book of coupons for entry to up to six of 11 different attractions, including the Old Melbourne Goal, Melbourne Zoo, Melbourne Museum, Melbourne Cricket Ground, Melbourne Observation Deck and Scienceworks Museum. The pass costs A$54 and is available from Royal Automobile Club Victoria offices or from travel agents.