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 An oasis in the city center |
Lakeside Drive Melbourne, VIC 3206 Australia http://www.parkweb.vic.gov.au |
Located just three kilometres from the city center, Albert Park Lake is a 45 hectare expanse of water, set in parkland. Originally a swampy lagoon, drainage works last century deepened and reshaped the lake, making it into a popular venue for boating. The lake boasts a variety of bird life including Australia's famous black swans, as well as an impressive fountain in the center. It is ringed by a five kilometer running track and surrounded by 11 separate picnic areas featuring shelter sheds, seating and barbeques, as well as playgrounds and a lookout tower. The surrounding parkland is also home to a par 72 golf course and driving range, while in March Albert Park is the venue of the Qantas Australian Formula One Grand Prix. There is also a brand new aquatic centre, ovals and other sporting facilities. Review © 2007, Wcities |
 Photo: Anthony Malloy  |
 Photo: Pete Johns |
 Photo: Jamie Yeo |
 Photo: Dean Melissinos |
 Photo: John Shadbolt |
 Photo: Cave Couple |
 Photo: Åsmund Heimark |
 Photo: Mark Bolitho |
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A park by the Yarra River |
Off St. Kilda Road Melbourne, VIC 3000 Australia |
Providing a splash of green between busy Alexandra Avenue and the Yarra River, the Alexandra Gardens are a focal point for Melbourne's Moomba Waterfest and are a perfect vantage spot for the water sports, which are run during the festival. Elegant boat sheds dot the river bank, still routinely used by university rowing clubs. A walk along Capital City Trail leads to Southbank Promenade and the path is a popular spot for cyclists, joggers and inline skaters. During warmer months, Melbournians take advantage of the many barbecues dotting the riverbank. Review © 2007, Wcities |
 Photo: Catherine O'Neil |
 Photo: James Burke |
 Photo: Richard Rutter |
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Circumnavigate the bay in a day |
Port Phillip Bay Melbourne, VIC 3182 Australia +61 (0)3 132 842 (Tourist Information) http://www.visitvictoria.com |
Experience the beauty of Victoria's Port Phillip Bay with a day trip from the city. First head west to the charming port suburb of Williamstown, then follow the Princes Freeway to Geelong for a bite at the delightful waterfront area. The beautiful Bellarine Peninsula beckons you next with its first-class wineries and coastal panoramas. Then take the ferry from historic Queenscliff across the bay to chic Portsea on the Mornington Peninsula. The coast road continues through other seaside villages such as Sorrento, Rosebud and Mornington, back through Melbourne's beachside suburbs before ending in the heart of the city. Ferry times: Departs every two hours from Queenscliff between 7a-5p daily. Review © 2007, Wcities |
 Photo: joeyjo |
 Photo: John Power |
 Indonesian treasures |
18 Grattan Street Prahran Melbourne, VIC 3181 Australia +61 (0)3 9529 6877 |
An impressive collection of beautiful work based on the traditions, cultural experience and religion of more than 200 Indonesian tribes. Asiatic holds ethnic craftspeople in high esteem and endeavours to help customers integrate unusual decorative pieces as well as practical everyday furnishings into modern interior settings. Review © 2007, Wcities |
 Classic cinema |
1 Chapel Street Corner Chapel Street and Dandenong Road Melbourne, VIC 3182 Australia +61 (0)3 9510 1414 http://www.astor-theatre.com/ |
Harking back to the grand old days of cinema going in the 1930s, the Astor Cinema is all about atmosphere. It is alone worth a visit for its art deco architecture, inviting foyers and comfortable chairs. However, it also has the fundamentals of cinema going right, with a huge screen and excellent sound quality. The Astor shows both classic films and recent releases in a double feature format each evening. Look out for special screenings of 70mm classic films—a pleasure to watch. Review © 2007, Wcities |
 Photo: Ben Colson |
 Photo: Mark Micallef |
 For little equestrians |
Beaconsfield Parade St Kilda Melbourne, VIC 3182 Australia |
If your child is going through the 'wanna ride on a pony' stage, this might be a good place to see how they like it, before you sign up for serious lessons. The pony rides have been a fixture in St Kilda's Catani Gardens for many years so the animals are gentle with their little riders. Children under 10 will probably get the most enjoyment out of it, but there is plenty for the rest of the family to do along the St Kilda foreshore area. Admission: Ride only AUD2; ride and photo AUD7. Review © 2007, Wcities |
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A stylish cinema experience |
9 Gordon Street Elsternwick Melbourne, VIC 3185 Australia +61 (0)3 9524 7900 http://www.classictheatre.com.au |
The Classic holds onto the feel of the old pre-war building it is located in but blends it with a stylish modern look. Most importantly, here you will find the fundamentals of cinema going—big screens, comfortable seats and good sound. Five screens show a mix of quality mainstream and selected art house films and, living up to its name, every week a different classic film is shown. Admission: Adult AUD11.50; concession tickets vary. Review © 2007, Wcities |
 Photo: Stuart Rosen |
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A notch above the average shopping mall |
Corner Toorak Road and Chapel Street South Yarra Melbourne, VIC 3141 Australia +61 (0)3 9825 2299 |
This shopping centre rides on its exclusivity. Expensive designer stores such as Keith Matheson, Midas Shoes and Joh Bailey Hairdressers are residents here and, no doubt, their prices reflect the rent. In the heart of South Yarra, the Como Centre appeals to the person who does not usually like shopping centres. Its Cinema Como specialises in art house movies. There is a Body Bronze tanning salon, as well as heaven on earth in the form of Jurlique Como Wellness Sanctuary. Como even acts as home to a television station. Yes, a true shopping indulgence. Review © 2007, Wcities |
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Family beach |
Ormond Esplanade Elwood Melbourne, VIC 3184 Australia +61 3 9658 9658 (Melbourne Visitor Centre) |
Backed by the leafy Elwood Park and Point Ormond Reserve, rather than the screeching traffic of Beaconsfield Parade that lines the beaches further to the North, Elwood is a popular beach for families to visit. The facilities in place include barbeque areas and playgrounds on the lawns, tennis courts, an angling club, lifesaving and boating clubs, and a no boating zone for swimmers. At the southern end of the beach an area has been set aside especially for water skiers. Review © 2007, Wcities |
 Photo: Mondoni Chung |
 Photo: Amy Calton |
 Photo: Zoom Zoom |
 Photo: Andy Bulka |
 Photo: Amy Calton |
 Photo: jess kilby |
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A Melbourne institution |
11 Upper Esplanade Melbourne, VIC 3182 Australia +61 3 9534 0211 http://theesplanadehotel.com.au/ |
The Esplanade Hotel, affectionately known as the "Espy", is a landmark of Melbourne's music and drinking scene. Grungy, almost seedy, the Espy attracts a mixed crowd of pub enthusiasts, hip young things and older ones just enjoying the atmosphere. No stylish modern design here. The Espy is all about sticky carpets, sweaty live music, playing pool or drinking in the front bar with its Bay views. There is also a beer garden, and comedy acts and bands appear regularly. The quaint restaurant is a cosy place to fill up on nutritious and cheap food. It is especially strong on soups, noodles and rice dishes. Admission to the front bar is free; there may be a cover charge for bands and comedy performances in the Gershwin Room. Review © 2007, Wcities |
 Photo: ProPRphotos.com |
 Photo: laureskew |
 Photo: Brooke Lenon |
 Photo: Roberts Birze |
 Photo: liloch |
 Photo: Helen Thura Palsson |
 Photo: Anders Alexander |
 Photo: Bindi Cole |
 Photo: Pomegranate02 |
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"Conserving" Melbourne's history |
500 Chapel Street South Yarra Melbourne, VIC 3141 Australia +61 3 9826 0537 |
Funnily enough, the Jam Factory Shopping Centre was once a jam factory but, since then, has seen many make-overs in its attempts to draw the shoppers from Chapel Street. In recent years, with the addition of a 1,600 seat Village cinema, it would appear the Jam Factory has been successful although it is still very small compared to outer suburban shopping centres. The Jam Factory does have the huge Borders Books & Music Store and Intencity games arcade as well as the American restaurant franchise "Thank God It's Friday", along with other speciality stores and a variety of eateries. Undercover parking is available. Review © 2007, Wcities |
 Photo: Darrick Chiu |
 Photo: Darrick Chiu |
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Documenting Australian Jewish Life |
26 Alma Road St Kilda Melbourne, VIC 3182 Australia +61 3 9534 0083 http://www.jewishmuseum.com.au/ |
The Jewish Museum is a modern museum set up to conserve and exhibit Jewish heritage, custom, religious practice and arts. Interactive displays are used to tell the unique story of Jewish life in Australia. Other permanent exhibitions are The Jewish Year; Belief and Ritual; and The Timeline of Jewish History. Temporary exhibitions tell remarkable and moving personal stories, show beautiful works of art and explore the history and lives of Jewish people throughout the world. The museum shop has a wide selection of books, gifts and unique finely crafted Judaica by Australian artists. The museum also has a function room with full kosher catering as well as private guided tours of the exhibitions. Review © 2007, Wcities |
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The smiling mouth greets you |
Lower Esplanade, P. O. Box 1083 St. Kilda South Melbourne, VIC 3182 Australia +61 3 9525 5033 http://www.lunapark.com.au |
Opened in 1912, Luna Park is the most identifiable landmark of St. Kilda with generations of children walking wide eyed through the broad clown's mouth entrence. Although threatened by developers on numerous occasions, it has miraculously remained intact and is currently being renovated. The charm of Luna Park is its old world character. No comparison can be made to the special effects laden amusement parks around the world. Luna Park relies on spectacular views from the Scenic Railway, the glamor of its historic carousel, and the fact that children still love eating fairy floss! Review © 2007, Wcities |
 Photo: Andrew Smith |
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Well equipped city beach |
Beaconsfield Parade Middle Park Melbourne, VIC 3206 Australia +61 3 9658 9658 (Melbourne Visitor Centre) |
Really just a continuation of Albert Park Beach, which it seamlessly blends in to, Middle Park is perhaps the best equipped stretch of sand for bathers in the inner city. The Middle Park Surf Life-saving Club, at the end of Nimmo Street, offers toilets, changing rooms, showers and a kiosk, while the Surf Life Saving Association of Victoria is also based here. Between Fraser and Langridge Streets is an approved area for windsurfers and boaters only. These activities are banned within 200 meters of shore along other parts of the beach. There is also a section of foreshore at the St. Kilda end where dogs are allowed year round. In other areas of the city of Port Phillip (which encompasses all the main inner city beaches) dogs are banned from Nov to Apr and on the spot penalty apply. Review © 2007, Wcities |
 Photo: emmaustin |
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A lavish mansion... |
192 Hotham Street Elsternwick Melbourne, VIC 3185 Australia +61 3 9523 6095 http://www.nattrust.com.au/inf... |
Melbourne may not be home to any royal palaces, but this lavish mansion is not far off. Built in 1868 in the Romanesque style, Rippon Lea was home to a succession of wealthy owners before being acquired by the National Trust and opened to the public. The house itself is located in the centre of a vast pleasure dome of lakes, bridges, orchards, ferneries and flower gardens. Tours are available, specialising either in the gardens or the house's restored interior. Review © 2007, Wcities |
 Photo: Veronika & Tibor Hal |
 Photo: Veronika & Tibor Hal |
 Photo: Dean Flynn |
 Photo: Brian Hunt |
 Photo: Peter Tredrea |
 Photo: Peter Tredrea |
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Beachside market |
The Esplanade (St Kilda) Melbourne, VIC 3182 Australia +61 (0) 39 534 0066 http://www.esplanademarket.com/ |
St Kilda on a Sunday is a microcosm of Melbourne life in the summer: sunshine, coffee, friends, sports, the beach and shopping! Situated on The Esplanade above St Kilda's beach, this market is a great excuse for a stroll in the sunshine. The stalls are excellent and offer a wide variety of art and craft work, including cosmetics, toys, ornaments and clothing--all handmade by the stall holders and all with their own sense of individuality. The market is close to the continental cake shops of Acland Street and the cafes and restaurants of Fitzroy Street--making it a perfect Sunday outing. Review © 2007, Wcities |