World Travel Guide

City Guide  - Melbourne  - Sightseeing
Sightseeing

Melbourne has a wealth of places to visit throughout the metropolitan area and is also ideal for strolling around, savouring the ambience and lifestyle. The central business district has a stunning skyline with some intriguing modern architecture. 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 and 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 and number 333, an imposing building which opened in 1891, is famous for its stunning domed ceiling and equally extravagant interior that 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 and 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, and to the north is Parliament House, which is open to the public when parliament is not in session. Carlton Gardens is home to the Royal Exhibition Building, built for the 1880 Great Exhibition, based on Crystal Palace in London. 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 and the latter contains the Victoria State Rose Gardens.

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

Tourist Information

Victoria Visitor Information Centre
Melbourne Town Hall, corner of Swanston Street Walk and Little Collins Street
Tel: (03) 96 58 99 55. Fax: (03) 96 50 61 68.
Web site: www.tourism-victoria.aone.net.au
Opening hours: 0830-1730 Mon-Fri; 0900-1700 Sat and Sun.

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



Copyright © 2001 Columbus Publishing
    
GENERAL
City Overview
City Statistics
Cost of Living
 
GETTING THERE
Air
Water
Road
Rail
 
GETTING AROUND
Getting Around
 
BUSINESS
Business
 
SIGHTSEEING
Sightseeing
Key Attractions
Further Distractions
Tours of the City
Excursions
 
ENTERTAINMENT
Nightlife
Sport
Shopping
Culture
Special Events