After our whirlwind tour in Sydney, we hopped on a quick flight to Melbourne to check out what would prove to be a marvelous city.
I really enjoyed Melbourne a lot. It’s large, but not huge with a population of about 4.8 million. This city feels like Toronto – cosmopolitan, with a very cool vibe.
There’s a neat mix of architecture – Victorian, neo-Gothic, and modern.
Here’s a neat neo-Gothic building that apparently is now filled with dentists! Does the building look like a decayed tooth to you?
There are also some very interesting modern buildings…
One of the buildings that I found particularly cool was the Victoria State Library. This 5 story building is wide open in the middle to the domed roof. We took a tour of the inside of the building and learned that the design is awful for a library! Since it is wide open, any noise results in a 7 second echo! Keep a hold of your books!
The arts play an important role in Melbourne as well. There is a wonderful and very modern arts building right on the Yarra River, right across the road from Flinders Street Station…a contrast between modern and Victorian styles.
Melbourne also has a lively outdoor life, with lots of walking trails and green space, especially along the Yarra River. As we walked along the path we saw rowing teams doing their early morning training, with trainers riding on shore and coaching with a megaphone!
Public transit is another area which I think is very well done here. Like everywhere else, the city is trying to discourage people from driving in the city and taking public transit instead. In the Central Business District (CBD) right downtown, the tram service is free within about a 7 x 10 block area.
The trams are sleek, modern and comfortable.
Melbourne’s cool-factor extends beyond it’s nice architecture and great transit service! There is a booming street-art culture, and the pieces on the walls are outstanding. The quality of the work is exceptional, not your typical amateur spray-paint-on-the-wall!
They have a couple of laneways totally dedicated to street art. This one really rocked…
The art comes in all different types, sizes and styles.
Here’s a work in progress…and he won’t get arrested!
Markets play an important role in cities as we have seen in many places, including Cambodia, Vietnam, Israel and Spain just to name a few. At the Queen Victoria Market there are all kinds of products, from fruits and veggies to shirts, shoes and bags.
Even McDonald’s is different here! In Oz they call it…
And something new we saw there…build your own burger!
There is just so much more that I could share about Melbourne that this post could go on for another page or two! Melbourne is a wonderful city with lots to see and do with excellent infrastructure. It has a lively arts scene – both on the street and on the stage. Visit Melbourne…it’s awesome!
Comments
8 responses to “Marvelous Melbourne!”
Indeed, I remember visiting “Mel-Bun” in 2008. It does reming me so much of Toronto, and my tenant also mentioned this. I enjoyed renting a bicycle, and going over to St. Kilda’s, chatting at one of the cafés with some locals. Locals take their coffee’s and “flat white’s” very seriously and I agree – so good. Also, if you notice a bakery called “Baker’s Delight” in Melbourne, (with vegemite scrolls and other pastries), we have this Ozzie bakery in Toronto under the name “Cobb’s Bread”. The latter name had to be used in North America (former name was registered by another business on this side of the Pond)
Terry, we loved our time in Melbourne and were particularly thrilled when we went to St Kilda’s and saw Little Penguins at sunset in the harbour. The coffee is soooo good… 🙂
So far Melbourne sounds as if it has made the biggest/ best impression on you in Australia. It looks very diverse and modern . Maybe there is lots yo learn from their city leaders?
Hi Herta, Melbourne was a fantastic place to visit and yes, I think there are some things that we can learn in TO, especially related to public transit!
Hi, Oliver, I always enjoy how you put together an overview in word and picture when you visit a new city: the old and the new, mundane and exciting, street art and museums, not to forget McDonalds, just great fun. And your photos are always a treat. Love the Skye Line view. Gazillion XOXO’s to all
HI Oma, Every time I see a MacDonald’s sign now, I automatically call it “Macca’s”!!
Hi Oliver,
Love the Library with its great acoustics. It may not be good for quiet reading purposes; however, I would like to get a group of singers there in the middle of the work spaces on the main floor to sing the “Hallelujah Chorus!” Can you hear how beautiful it is? Also, I love how you captured all the beautiful Art Work! The big question here is “Did you build your own Burger?” Thanks for sharing. Love Mom P
Hi Baba,
I’m not sure if the library would work ok for singing or not, but it would be worth the experiment! We didn’t build our own burger at Macca’s, but it sure looked like fun!