Melbourne

Melbourne has always had the reputation of being the wealthiest of Australian cities and this is reflected in the richness of the collection of the National Gallery of Victoria, especially the 19th-century European art purchased during Melbourne’s boom period. The repository is housed in two venues, the Ian Potter Centre (NGV Australia) at Federation Square and the NGV International across the river on St Kilda Road.

Phone:

+61 38620 2222

Opening hours:

NGV Ian Potter and NGV International 10am-5pm daily

Address:

NGV Ian Potter, Federation Square, City; NGV International, 180 St Kilda Road, City

By both design and location Federation Square has become the main focus for visitors to Melbourne. The ultra modern city square combines an intriguing combination of angular plates, steel girders and plate glass that subtly house restaurants, cafés, performance spaces, the Visitors’ Information Centre, Australian Racing Museum and the Ian Potter Centre (National Gallery of Victoria).

Phone:

+61 39658 9658

Opening hours:

9am-6pm daily (information centre)

Address:

Corner of Flinders Street and St Kilda Road

The suburb of St Kilda on the shores of the tranquil Port Philip Bay is to Melbourne what Bondi is to Sydney, but without the surf, the pretension and the stunning swathe of golden sand. But, mediocre beach aside, its attractive waterfront, pier, the historic Luna Park funfair and the happening, alternative street life of Acland and Fitzroy more than make up for it.

Phone:

N/a

Opening hours:

N/a

Address:

Access by tram (Federation Square stop) via St Kilda Road, or train from Flinders Street Station

Together with the space age looking Southern Cross Station the Docklands is currently the pride of Melbourne’s progressive inner city redevelopment programme. Completed in time for the 2006 Commonwealth Games, the former derelict docks has morphed in to a very attractive mix of old and new with the inevitable classy restaurants, marinas and landscaped open spaces replete with outlandish and intriguing urban sculptures.

Phone:

N/a

Opening hours:

N/a

Address:

Access by train via Southern Cross Station, Scenic Circle Tram or River Shuttle

The iconic Victoria Street Market has expanded and evolved since the 1870s, and now consists of a substantial brick building housing the meat hall, selling fresh meat, fish and seafood, and the dairy hall, which includes nearly 40 delicatessen stalls. The sheds opposite hold a lot mass-market junk and Australiana, but the food sections are well worth a wander for the friendly banter of the stallholders.

Phone:

+61 39320 5835 (for tours)

Opening hours:

6am-2pm Tue, Thu, 6am-6pm Fri, 6am-3pm Sat, 9am-4pm Sun

Address:

513 Elizabeth Street

The Yarra River’s ‘Southbank’ forms the heart of the cultural and entertainment precinct of the city, much of it taken up by the vast Crown Entertainment Complex, home of ‘the casino’, a hotel, cinema, more than 35 restaurants, around 20 bars and nightclubs, and boutiques. To the west the main attraction is Melbourne Maritime Museum while to the east the Victorian Arts Centre dominates.

Phone:

Maritime Museum +61 39699 9760; Arts Centre +61 39281 8000

Opening hours:

Maritime Museum 10am-4pm daily; Arts Centre Mon-Fri 7am-late, Sat 9am-late, Sun 10am-last show

Address:

Access via Flinders Street Station

Until mid 2006 Melbourne’s tallest building was the 253m Rialto Towers on Collins Street, but now, almost in its shadow and across the river, the Eureka Tower has surpassed it by 47m. An impressive observation deck on the 88th floor is due to open in late 2006 that will be reached by a lift reputedly to be the fastest in the southern hemisphere.

Phone:

+61 39686 1588

Opening hours:

To be arranged

Address:

Southbank

This striking museum uses the most advanced display techniques to make the museum experience lively and interesting. The Bunjilaka Aboriginal Centre and ‘Koorie Voices’ displays combine to form an impressive aboriginal presentation, while elsewhere the Mind and Body Gallery examines humans in exhaustive detail; the Australia Gallery focuses on the social history of the region; and the interactive Children’s Museum offers an ideal venue for kids – both big and small!

Phone:

131102 (within Australia),

Opening hours:

10am-5pm daily

Address:

Carlton Gardens, City

Melbourne’s original Italian café (it opened in 1954) hasn’t really changed much since then and remains a vibrant, crowded small space serving wonderful coffee and cheap pasta dishes. Apparently they are still cleaning up after Italy beat Australia in the Football World Cup, to say nothing of the debris left when they beat France in the final.

Phone:

+61 39662 1885

Opening hours:

Mon-Sat 8am-11.30pm, Sun noon-8pm

Address:

66 Bourke Street

A place of almost religious significance for sports mad Aussies, the MCG has hosted countless historic cricket matches and Aussie Rules (Australian football) games as well as the 1956 Olympics, rock concerts and lectures, and most recently the Commonwealth Games. Tours take in the Australian Gallery of Sport, the Olympic Museum, the Australian Cricket Hall of Fame, and exhibitions on Aussie Rules.

Phone:

+61 39657 8864

Opening hours:

9.30am-4.30pm (tours 10am-3pm when without events)

Address:

Jolimont Street, City