What to see North South East and West of the River
More to Melbourne.
Attraction's abound at all points
of this city.
Flinders Street StationThe City of Melbourne is positioned on the northern side of the Yarra River, where it meets Flinders Street Railway Station, at the corner of Flinders and Swanston Streets and St Kilda Road. This is probably the most central point, and multiple transport choice, of arrival or departure, to a myriad of exciting attractions throughout the City and beyond.  The first attraction is Southbank. Just walk along St Kilda Road and across Princes Bridge . Southbank follows the River on the southern side and offers a wide range of dining, shopping and entertainment options. Further along St Kilda Road, an iconic boulevard of majestic Plane trees, and opposite the expansive tranquillity of Queen Victoria Gardens, is the Victorian Arts Centre, where major theatrical, operatic and ballet productions are performed throughout the year. It is also home of the National Gallery of Victoria (NGV), a contemporary building, featuring a spectacular wall of water at its entrance, a comprehensive arts program, which presents international art exhibitions, and a significant body of artistic works by legendary Australian and overseas artists. Directly opposite Flinders Street Station, is Federation Square , a fantastically commanding 3.8 hectare complex, stark and imposing by day, picturesque and inviting by night. Opened in 2004, it was considered one of the most complex constructions undertaken in Australia, and still evokes vigorous discussions due to its uniqueness and architectural non-conformity. Once seen, it is rarely forgotten, housing NGV’s Ian Potter Centre and its breathtaking Australian art collection, another ‘must see,’ plus the very entertaining Australian Centre for Moving Image (ACMI) and more shopping and dining opportunities. | Another surprise is the Immigration Museum with life size displays of living conditions experienced by migrants undertaking the long sea voyage to Australia. The Museum is on the corner of Flinders and Market Streets about three blocks west of Swanston Street. Still heading west for two city blocks, take a left turn into King Street, where you will find the Melbourne Aquarium , an underwater extravaganza, complete with sharks, stingrays and a wonderful array of sea creatures. Continue on across King Street Bridge to Crown Entertainment Complex, complete with Casino, and the Melbourne Exhibition Centre, which is regularly used for major expos and trade fairs. At the top end of the City on Spring Street, three city blocks east of Swanston Street, the State Houses of Parliament overlook the expanse of the City and Treasury Gardens. The magnificent main building completed in 1856, is of the Ionic order of architecture, Roman Corinthian, and characterised by columns and scroll shapes and set above a regal span of steps. Visitors can take advantage of a choice of five free public tours per day (Monday to Friday, on non-sitting days only). Something that will delight everyone is the Melbourne Zoo . Hop on a number 55 or 68 tram headed north of the City, which will drop you off at the Zoo’s main entrance. Make a day of it. The animals are regularly fed during open times, so visitors can enjoy the visual experience of lunch time with the lions, chomping with the chimps, and a whole host of other invitations, including overnight camps, night time tours, breakfast with the animals, or picnicking on the lawns at the Twilight Jazz series, duringsummer. Melbourne has an abundance of attractions and activities a few others include: Melbourne Museum and IMAX Theatre, in Carlton, Luna Fun Park at St Kilda, Heide Museum of Modern Art, at Bulleen, Puffing Billy Steam Train at the Dandenongs and a most recent addition being the kilometre high Southern Star Wheel at Docklands. |