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

SEEING THE SIGHTS 547
National Gallery of Australia: The Ian Potter Centre—Australian Art
This fascinating gallery featuring 20 rooms dedicated to Australian art was
opened in 2002 in the heart of Federation Square. Some 20,000 art pieces are
stored here but only around 800 are on display at any one time. Aboriginal art
and colonial art collections are the centerpieces of the gallery, with more modern
paintings on display, too. Temporary exhibitions come and go, and could
include anything from ceramics to shoes. There are a couple of cafes here, too.
Federation Square. & 03/8662 1555. Free admission. Mon-Thurs 10am–5pm; Fri 10am–9pm; Sat–Sun
10am–6pm. Bus: City Explorer.
Old Melbourne Gaol Finds I love this cramped former prison with its
tiny cells and spooky collection of death masks and artifacts of 19th-century
prison life. Some 135 hangings took place here, including that of notorious bandit
(and Australian hero) Ned Kelly, in 1880. The scaffold where he was hung is
still in place, and his gun, as well as a suit of armor used by a member of his
gang, is on display. The jail closed in 1929. The profiles of former prisoners give
a fabulous perspective of what it was like to be locked up here. Chilling night
tours run every Sunday and Wednesday (call ahead and check the schedule);
they cost A$18 (US$12) for adults and A$10 (US$6.50) for children (though
the tour is not recommended for children under 12). Allow 1 hour or more.
Russell St. & 03/9663 7228. Admission A$10 (US$6.50) adults, A$6.60 (US$4.30) children, A$45 (US$29)
families. Daily 9:30am–4:30pm. Tram: City Circle tram to corner of Russell and Latrobe sts.
Queen Victoria Markets The Queen Victoria Market is a Melbourne
institution covering several blocks. There are hundreds of indoor and outdoor
stalls where you can find anything from live rabbits to bargain-basement clothes.
The markets can get cramped, and there’s a lot of junk to sort through, but you’ll
get a real taste of Melbourne and its ethnic mix here. Look out for the interesting
delicatessen section and cheap eateries. Allow at least an hour.
Two 2-hour tours of the market take in its food and heritage. The Foodies
Dream Tour departs every Tuesday, Thursday, Friday, and Saturday at 10am and
costs A$22 (US$14) for adults and A$15 (US$9.75) for children under 15,
including sampling. Well known chefs give cooking classes for $65 (US$42) per
session. Call & 03/9320 5835 for reservations.
Between Peel, Victoria, Elizabeth, and Therry sts. on the northern edge of the city center. & 03/9269 5835.
www.qvm.com.au. Tues–Thurs 6am–2pm; Fri 6am–6pm; Sat 6am–3pm; Sun 9am–4pm. Tram: Any tram traveling
north along William St. or Elizabeth St.
Rippon Lea House Museum & Historic Garden This grand Victorian
house, 8km (5 miles) from the city center, is worth a visit to get a feel for oldmoney
Melbourne. With dozens of rooms, Rippon Lea House was built by
socialite Sir Frederick Thomas Sargood between 1868 and 1903; a pool and ballroom
were added in the 1930s. Though the Romanesque architecture is interesting
(note the stained glass and polychrome brickwork), the real attraction is the
surrounding 5.3 hectares (13 acres) of landscaped gardens, which include a conservatory,
a lake, a lookout tower, an orchard, and extensive flowerbeds and
shrubbery. If you’re here on a weekend, a public holiday, or during school vacations,
you might like to drop into the tearoom, which is open from 11am to 4pm.
Allow 2 hours.
192 Hotham St., Elsternwick. & 03/9523 6095. Admission A$9 (US$5.85) adults, A$5 (US$3.25) children
5–16,A$20 (US$13) families of up to 6. Daily 10am–5pm (house closes at 4:45pm). Daily guided tours of house
every 1 ⁄2 hour 10:30am–4pm and tour of estate at 2pm. Closed Good Friday and Christmas Day. Tram: 67 to