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City Guide - Melbourne - Key Attractions | ||
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Key Attractions Old Melbourne Gaol The Old Melbourne Gaol was established in 1841 and expanded rapidly during the gold rush. The gaol was the setting for 135 hangings, most famously that of Ned Kelly in 1880. Exhibits include a collection of death masks and Kelly's armour. Russell Street Tel: (03) 96 63 72 28. Fax: (03) 96 39 01 19. Web site: www.vtoa.asn.au/attract/p148.htm Transport: Museum station; or City Circle Tram to corner Latrobe Street and Russell Street. Opening hours: 0930-1630 daily. Admission: A$8 (concessions available). Royal Botanic Gardens Melbourne's Royal Botanic Gardens contain extensively landscaped gardens covering 35 hectares (86 acres) and feature thousands of plants from across Australia and around the world. Free guided walks or self-guided audio walks available. Birdwood Avenue Tel: (03) 92 52 23 00. Fax: (03) 92 52 23 50. Web site: www.rbgmelb.org.au Transport: Numerous trams along St Kilda Road. Opening hours: Apr-Oct 0730-1730 daily; Nov-Mar 0730-2030 daily. Admission: Free. Rialto Towers Observation Deck The tallest building in the southern hemisphere, the Rialto Towers Observation Deck offers 360-degree panoramic views of Melbourne and the surrounding areas. The facilities also include a licensed café-bar. 525 Collins Street Tel: (03) 96 29 82 22. Fax: (03) 96 14 82 31. Web site: www.vtoa.asm.au/attract/p154.htm Transport: Spencer Street station; tram 11, 12 or 109. Opening hours: 1000-2200 Sun-Thurs; 1000-2300 Fri and Sat. Admission: A$7.50 (concessions available). National Gallery of Victoria As part of the Victorian Arts Centre complex, the National Gallery of Victoria houses the premier collection of Australian works through to the present day and frequent special exhibitions focus on different aspects of Australian culture. The gallery will be undergoing extensive renovation from the end of 1999 to 2001 and the collections will temporarily be relocated to the old museum site at the State Library of Victoria. 180 St Kilda Road Tel: (03) 92 08 02 22. Fax: (03) 92 08 02 45. Web site: www.ngv.vic.gov.au Transport: Flinders Street station; or city tram 12. Opening hours: 1000-1700 daily. Admission: Free (temporary exhibitions vary). Melbourne Cricket Ground Yarra Park is home to the world-famous Melbourne Cricket Ground, or MCG, the venue for many national and international cricket matches. The ground contains the Australian Cricket Hall of Fame, Olympic Museum and Australian Gallery Sport. Yarra Park, Jolimont Tel: (03) 96 57 88 79. Fax: (03) 96 50 67 50. Web site: www.vtoa.asn.au/attract/p143.htm Transport: Jolimont train station. Opening hours: (guided tours) 1000 and 1500, not match days. Admission: A$9.50 (concessions available). Melbourne Zoo Melbourne Zoo is Australia's oldest zoo and over recent years has enjoyed large-scale investment to improve facilities for both the resident animals and visitors. There is an African rainforest with gorillas, orangutans, hippos and big cats; a particularly impressive butterfly house; and a bushland exhibit, which is home to many of Australia's native wildlife. Elliott Avenue, Parkville Tel: (03) 92 85 93 00. Fax: (03) 92 85 93 50. Web site: www.zoo.org.au Transport: Royal Park station; tram 55 Mon-Sat or tram 68 Sun. Opening hours: 0900-1700 daily. Admission: A$14.50 (concessions available). Rippon Lea House Museum & Historic Garden The grounds of Rippon Lea House are as impressive as the grand nineteenth-century Victorian mansion. Built during the gold rush, the interior of the mansion is also very opulent. 192 Hotham Street, Elsternwick Tel: (03) 95 32 88 22. Fax: (03) 95 23 69 21. Web site: www.vtoa.asn.au/attract/p146.htm Transport: Rippon Lea station. Opening hours: 1000-1700 Tues-Sun. Admission: A$8 (concessions available). |