Frommer's Australia from $50 a Day 13th Edition - To Parent Directory

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CHAPTER 11 . MELBOURNE
5 Seeing the Sights
Melbourne’s attractions may not have quite the fame as some of Sydney’s, but
visitors come here to experience the contrasts of old-world architecture and the
exciting feel of a truly multicultural city.
If you’d like to see the city aboard a leisurely cruise, call Melbourne River
Cruises (& 03/9614 1215 Mon–Fri, or 03/9650 2055 Sat–Sun). This company
offers a 2 1 ⁄2-hour round-trip cruise on the Yarra River costing A$17 (US$11) for
adults, A$8.80 (US$5.70) for children ages 3 to 12, A$13 (US$8.45) concession,
and A$42 (US$27) for a family.
THE TOP ATTRACTIONS
Federation Square Touted as “Melbourne’s civic and cultural hub for the 21st
century,” Federation Square is a conglomerate of attractions centered around
wacky architecture and a large open piazza-type area cobbled with misshapen
paving. Here you’ll find the National Gallery of Victoria, the Ian Potter Centre,
the new Australian Centre for the Moving Image (ACMI), and the new one-stop
Visitor Centre (see “Visitor Information” earlier in this chapter). The three-level
National Gallery of Victoria building is huge and hosts the largest collection of
Australian art in the country, including many works by Sidney Nolan, Russell
Drysdale, and Tom Roberts, as well as Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders. The
Gallery is already a major focus for art festivals and special events. Numerous cafes
and coffee shops operate throughout the precinct. The ACMI center includes two
state-of-the-art cinemas, and large areas where visitors can access movies, videos,
and digital media. It’s worth visiting the square though just to see the extraordinary
architecture, made up of strangely reflective geometrical designs, and the very
impressive glass atrium. Lots of events are planned for the square’s 450-seat
amphitheater, including theatrical performances, and free concerts and other
events will take place on the Plaza and along areas of the banks of the Yarra River.
Runs north–south from Flinders St. to the Yarra River (to the left of the Flinders St. Railway Station). www.
federationsquare.com.au. Outdoor spaces open 24 hr. Free entry (though charges for some special events and
exhibitions). Tram: City Circle.
Gold Treasury Museum Designed by the architect J. J. Clarke (when he was
only 19) and built in 1857, the Old Treasury Building is an imposing neoclassical
sandstone building which once housed precious metal from the Ballarat
and Bendigo gold rushes. The gold was stored in eight thick-walled vaults
underground and protected by iron bars. The “Built on Gold” Exhibition within
the vaults is a high-tech multimedia show featuring videos and displays showing
how the gold was dug up, sold, transported, and housed. In the basement are
the restored living quarters of a caretaker who lived there from 1916 to 1928.
The ground floor is taken up by the “Melbourne: A City Built On Gold” display
which shows how Melbourne was built using the profits from the gold
Tips A Few Sightseeing Suggestions
Much of Melbourne’s appeal comes from soaking up the atmosphere on a
walk around the city. But if you have time to see only one major attraction,
by all means make it the Melbourne Zoo. Other top-of-the-list sights include
Federation Square, the National Gallery of Victoria, and the Botanic Gardens.
If you have time, head to Phillip Island to see the fairy penguins.