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Melbourne/Central
From eTripTips Wiki
The City of Melbourne [1] represents the city's regularly grid-planned Central Business District and historical core, located north of the River Yarra. South of the river, the Southbank is also understood by most to form part of the central city.
These days, the central City of Melbourne is usually separated out for travellers into 15 'precincts', each possessing its own attractions and character.
[edit] Understand
Established in 1835 and officially established in 1837, the city of Melbourne was quickly (by 1838) laid out in the regular grid pattern that marks the CBD on today's maps.
[edit] Get in
Central Melbourne (the Central Business District (CBD) and nearby) attractions are arranged here more-or-less on a route starting in the south-west, proceeding east along Collins St, covering Swanston St from the Yarra River to Victoria St in the north, then going through Chinatown to Spring St and finishing at the south-east corner of the CBD.
- The Docklands Precinct is the lynchpin of Melbourne's urban planning vision for the next fifty years. The old shipping yards and industrial neigbourhood just west of the CBD is being developed into a lively residential, commercial and entertainment district that hopes to refocus Melbourne's attention to the waterfront. http://www.docklands.vic.gov.au/
- Victoria Police Museum, Victoria Police Centre, Concourse Level, 637 Flinders St, west of Spencer St. M-F 10am-4pm. Free.
- Melbourne Aquarium, cnr King St and Queens Wharf Rd (on the banks of the Yarra River). Every day 9:30am-6pm (last admission 5pm), 1-27 Jan 9:30am-9pm. $22 adult, $12 child. http://www.melbourneaquarium.com.au/
- Immigration Museum, 400 Flinders St (between William St and Market St). Every day 10am-5pm except Good Friday and Christmas Day. Located in the restored Old Customs House it covers customs history as well as immigration. It is interesting to learn of the racist attitudes that influenced past immigration policy only to realise that the Australian government still has a very contentious policy towards refugees and asylum seekers. $6 adult, children and concession free. http://immigration.museum.vic.gov.au/
- Rialto Towers, 525 Collins St (corner of King St). Su-Th 10am-10pm, F-Sa 10am-11pm. This is the tallest reinforced concrete structure and the tallest office structure in the Southern Hemisphere. The Melbourne Observation Deck on the 55th floor gives an excellent 360-degree view of the city. $11.80 adult, $6.80 child. http://www.rialto.com.au/ and http://www.melbournedeck.com.au/
- Block Arcade. Runs between Collins St and Elizabeth St. Shopping arcade built in 1891.
- Scots’ Church, cnr Collins St and Russell Rd. Gothic church built in 1873.
- Flinders Street Station, cnr Flinders St and Swanston St / St Kilda Rd, beside Princes Bridge. This Melbourne icon is one of the city's major train stations and was designed in an 1899 competition. The station's front steps, below a row of clocks announcing train departure times, are also a popular meeting point for locals. A government plan to replace the ageing, and usually inaccurate, clocks with digital contemporaries was shelved after howls of protest from residents who had grown up meeting friends "under the Flinders St clocks".
- City Square, Swanston St between Flinders Lane and Collins St.
- Melbourne Town Hall, cnr Swanston St and Collins St. Free tours M-F 11am and 1pm, first Sa of the month 11am, noon, 1pm and 2pm. You need to book tours one day ahead on phone 9658 9658. Built in 1870.
- Manchester Unity building, cnr Swanston St and Collins St. This 1930s Gothic building was once Melbourne’s tallest.
- Bourke St Mall, between Swanston St and Elizabeth St. Melbourne’s main department stores are located here and street performers and buskers perform in the mall.
- State Library of Victoria, Swanston St between Little Lonsdale and Latrobe Sts. M-Th 10am-9pm, F-Su 10am-6pm, except public holidays. Built in stages starting in 1854, it has an impressive classical revival façade. Renovation of the La Trobe Reading Room was completed in 2003. Includes a good newspaper reading room, genealogy room and an art collection. Internet terminals are provided for research only, not email, and usually need to be booked because of high demand. Free storage for bags is available just off the lobby, with staff in attendance – large bags are not permitted in the library proper. http://www.statelibrary.vic.gov.au/
- Melbourne City Baths, cnr Swanston St and Franklin St. The Edwardian (1903) building still function as a health and fitness center with a gym and other facilities complementing the swimming pools. Casual rate for a swim is $4 adult, $3.20 student, $2 pensioner. http://www.melbournecitybaths.com.au/
- Queen Victoria Market, 513 Elizabeth St, cnr of Elizabeth St and Victoria St. Tu, Th 6am-2pm, F 6am-6pm, Sa 6am-3pm, Su 9am-4pm - over 1000 stalls, between them selling everything. Like most markets, the earlier you arrive, the better the quality of fresh produce. Other goods more questionable - the range of items is definitely not what it used to be even 10 years ago! OK for cheap (i.e. really "cheap" in quality) and remaindered goods and souvenirs - don't expect anything truly fabulous, as the advertising might lead you to believe! Go along only if you have nothing else to do.....
- Old Melbourne Gaol, Russell St between Victoria St and La Trobe St. Every day 9:30am-4:30pm except Good Friday and Christmas Day. Night tour performances W, Su evenings (suggested age 12 years plus). Built in 1841 it is now a penal museum. Bushranger Ned Kelly was hanged here in 1880. The scaffold on which he and many others were hanged is displayed, as is Kelly’s armor. There are other displays in many of the cells. Allow an hour or so for your visit. Day $12.50 adult, $7.50 child; night performances $18.70 adult, $11 under 16 years. http://www.nattrust.com.au/pages/default.cfm?page_id=4822
- "Little Greece", Lonsdale St adjacent to Chinatown. As most Melbournites will tell you, Melbourne has the third-highest Greek population in the world. Although not the focal point it once was, this stretch of Lonsdale St boasts many lively Greek cafes, nightclubs and shops.
- Parliament House of Victoria, Spring St opposite Bourke St. Free half-hour tours M-F when parliament is not sitting, 10am, 11am, noon, 2pm, 3pm, 3:45pm. Built between 1856 and 1879, the federal parliament sat in this impressive building from 1901 to 1927. http://www.parliament.vic.gov.au/default.htm
- Windsor Hotel, Spring St between Bourke St and Little Collins St. Opened in 1883 as The Grand, it is indeed the city’s grandest historic hotel. http://www.thewindsor.com.au/
- Hotel Sofitel, 25 Collins St (the eastern, “Paris” end of Collins St). The floor-to-ceiling windows in the men’s toilets of Le Restaurant on the 35th floor offer men excellent views of the city.
- Old Treasury Building and Gold Treasury Museum, cnr Spring St and Macarthur St. M-F 9am-5pm, Sa-Su 10am-4pm, closed Good Friday, Christmas Day and Boxing Day. Built in 1858, it was the city’s first Italian Renaissance building and many consider that its elegance has not been surpassed by anything in Melbourne since. Contains displays on the history of Melbourne as well as history of gold in Victoria. The volunteer attendants are very helpful in a fussy way. $8.50 adult, $5 child. http://www.oldtreasurymuseum.org.au/
- Treasury Gardens, behind the Treasury Building. Features a memorial to John F Kennedy.
- Fitzroy Gardens, on the other side of Lansdowne St from the Treasury Gardens. Features Captain Cook’s Cottage which is the cottage that belonged to Captain James Cook’s parents and was transported from Yorkshire to Melbourne in 1934. http://www.fitzroygardens.com/
- St Patrick’s Cathedral, cnr Gisborne St and Cathedral Place (between Macarthur St and the north end of Fitzroy Gardens). The original part of this Gothic Revival cathedral was built in the 1850s. It was consecrated in 1897 and the spires added in 1939. http://www.melbourne.catholic.org.au/cathedral/index.html
- Polly Woodside Maritime Museum, Closed for renovations May 2006 - late 2008 Lorimer St East near the Melbourne Exhibition Centre. Every day 10am-4pm except Good Friday and Christmas Day. The museum features the restored 1885 sailing ship "Polly Woodside". $10 adult, $7 child.
- Crown Entertainment Complex including the Crown Casino, 8 Whiteham St. Open 24 hours except Christmas Day, Good Friday and Anzac Day when it is closed 4am-noon. A Las Vegas-style gambling palace, also containing restaurants, upmarket boutiques, nightclubs, two hotel towers, a cinema complex, and floorshows. http://www.crownltd.com.au/
- Southgate Plaza. Can be reached from the CBD by an arched footbridge from behind the Flinders Street Station. Three levels of restaurants, cafes and bars overlooking the river.
[edit] Yarra River
- Melbourne River Cruises leave from Princes Walk, just east of Princes Bridge (Swanston St), and from Southbank Lower Promenade. The timetable is subject to tidal conditions and river closures. $16.50 adult, $8.80 child. http://www.melbournerivercruises.com.au/
- A popular walk is from the corner of Batman Ave and St Kilda Rd (near the Princes Bridge and Federation Square) eastward along the riverbank then crossing the Morell footbridge and returning to Princes Bridge either along the riverbank or through the Botanic Gardens and Alexandra Gardens.
[edit] Arts precinct
The arts presinct on St Kilda Rd immediately south of Princes Bridge and adjoining Southgate contains:
- Victorian Arts Centre, 100 St Kilda Rd, nearest the Yarra. M-F 7am-late, Sa 9am-late, Su 10am-5pm. http://www.vicartscentre.com.au/ The Centre consists of:
- Melbourne Concert Hall
- Theatres Building including the State Theatre.
- National Gallery of Victoria. The original gallery, it now houses the gallery’s international collection. The Australian collection is at the Ian Potter Centre in Federation Square. http://www.ngv.vic.gov.au/ngvinternational/
[edit] Gardens and parks
Between the east side of St Kilda Rd and the Yarra River is a series of gardens and parks.
- Alexandra Gardens
- Queen Victoria Gardens. Features memorials to Queen Victoria and King Edward VII, sculptures and a floral clock of 7000 plants.
- Kings Domain. Contains:
- Shrine of Remembrance war memorial
- Governor La Trobe’s Cottage. M, W, Sa & Su 11am-4pm except Christmas Day. Charles La Trobe brought this prefabricated house when he came to Australia in 1839. http://www.nattrust.com.au/pages/default.cfm?page_id=4826
- Sidney Myer Music Bowl. Built in 1959, it is used for concerts and in winter as an ice-skating rink.
- Government House. A landmark but rarely open to the public.
- botanic features such as the Pioneer Women’s Memorial Garden and a fern grotto.
- Royal Botanic Gardens, Birdwood Ave, 15 min walk from CBD. Every day Nov-Mar 7:30am-8:30pm, Apr-Oct 7:30am-5:30pm. Free. http://www.rbg.vic.gov.au/
Others: *Fitzroy Gardens http://www.fitzroygardens.com/
[edit] Federation Square
Federation Square, cnr Flinders St and Swanston St / St Kilda Rd, opposite Flinders Street Station. Recently built over the rail yards, it includes an open space, an atrium with restaurants and cafes, an amphitheater and somewhat controversial asymmetrical architecture. http://www.federationsquare.com.au/ It includes the following centers:
- Melbourne Visitor Centre, cnr Flinders St and Swanston St / St Kilda Rd. Every day except Good Friday and Christmas Day, 9am-6pm. Most of the center is below ground level. Free.
- Ian Potter Centre: NGV Australia, cnr Flinders St and Russell St extension. M-Th 10am-5pm, F 10am-9pm, Sa-Su 10am-6pm, ANZAC Day opens 1pm, closed Good Friday and Christmas Day. Houses the National Gallery of Victoria’s collection of Australian art. Free. (The NGV’s international art collection is housed in the original NGV building south of the Yarra.) http://www.ngv.vic.gov.au/ngvaustralia/
- Australian Centre for the Moving Image (ACMI). Screen gallery is open M-F 10am-5pm, Sa-Su 10am-6pm. A museum of television, film and digital media. Entry is free for much of the Centre, although charges apply for cinema screenings and certain programs and exhibitions. http://www.acmi.net.au/
Degraves St and Centreplace (which link Flinders St to Collins St, between Swanston St and Elizabeth St) you will find several breakfast restaurants. Most open from 7am and serve all kinds of breakfasts. Competition is strong and keeps quality up so make your own choice.
- Aix: Has a huge selection of crepes.
[edit] Chinese
Melbourne's Chinatown district, centred around Little Bourke St is filled with cheap Chinese options and some well-hidden (but excellent) Japanese alternatives. Avoid the Post Deng - it's cheap, but filthy. Search Tattersal's Lane for deliciously cheap dumplings. The CBD is also suffused with postmodern oriental restaurants catering to the large Asian student market.
- White Lotus, Victoria St (near Victoria Market): Good vegetarian Chinese for those who like fake meat.
- Gigi, Swanston St: This is the place for fast Japanese
[edit] Indian
- Gaylords, 4, Tattersalls Lane. Tel: 61-3-9663 3980. Kitscky ode to Bollywood. A little out of place in the heart of Chinatown.
[edit] Vegetarian
- Crossways, 123 Swanston St: Budget option, interesting lunch restaurant where you'll find a delicious 2 course vegetarian all-you-can-eat meal for $6.00 (or $4.50 if you have a concession card). Open Monday to Saturday 11.30 - 2.30 pm.
[edit] Others
- Melbourne Bar & Bistro, 168 Elizabeth St (near the Bourke St corner): Hungry budget travellers can eat all they want for $7.95.
[edit] Coffee
The CBD holds some hidden gems as far as coffee is concerned. Once again, Degraves Lane is the most popular destination while those seeking a little bit more style can head to the many malls for their fix.
- Degraves Espresso Bar, 23 Degraves Street. Tel: 61-3-96541245: Tucked into a bluestone laneway near Flinders St Station, this outlet has long-held the title of Melbourne's best coffee. Hours: Mon–Fri 6.30am–7.30pm; Sat–Sun 7.30am–4pm.
- Laurent Bakery, 306 Little Collins St. Tel: 61-3-96541011: If Parisian pastries and good coffee are what you crave, then head here to a now franchised establishment with well-trained barristas.
- Serious cocktail aficionados should check out The Gin Palace (190 Little Collins St; 9654-0533), a welcome mix of knowledgeable bartenders, funky bordello ambiance and a laid-back crowd.
- A little more upmarket is Tony Starr's Kitten Club (267 Little Collins Street; Phone: 9650-2448; www.kittenclub.com.au) which offers a leopard-print throwback to the smooth cats and cool jazz of the 50's. The weekday crowd of funk loving twenty-something professionals sip on a range of cocktails blended and shaken by well-trained and attentive staff. The upstairs performance area hosts local and visiting funk, jazz and cabaret acts.
- The Croft Institute (21-25 Croft Alley; Phone: 9671-4399) epitomizes the kitschy-hidden-bar trend of the past few years. Tucked within the narrowest and smelliest alley in Melbourne, this place is somewhat charmingly fitted out like a high school laboratory; complete with beakers, test tubes and retorts. Check out the upstairs 'gymnasium' playing house and electro, and the hospital gurney (with stirrups) on display near the women's toilets.
- Arthur's Lounge (Corporation Lane; Phone: 9654 9744; www.arthursbarlounge.com.au) is a decadent club / bar with prices and door policies to match. A crowd-friendly mix of house and electronica will keep you going, and the fun-loving (but sometimes pretentious) patrons are a pleasant mix of funky bohemia, city glamour and coke-snorting party people.
- For a taste of Fitzroy in the CBD, drop into the cheerful Rue Bebelons (267 Little Lonsdale Street; 9663-1700) for a reasonably priced coffee or beer. The Nepalese family behind the bar mix up great music and a friendly vibe to a crowd of laid back artists and students from nearby universities.
- Misty's (3-5 Hosier Ln; Phone: 9663 9202) hosts a smiliar crowd, but in slightly cooler retro-sci-fi surrounds. The staff are friendly, live DJs spin groovy tunes most nights and it makes a great launching pad for shows at the nearby Forum.
- St Jerome's (7 Caledonian Lane; www.mcity.com.au/features/stjeromes.php) for unique Melbourne sub-culture and street style.
- Cookie (Swanston St between Lonsdale and Bourke opposite the Lounge) Excellent bar and cocktails with an upstyle crowd that likes to party hard. Although a restaurant for dinner.
[edit] Budget
- Arthouse Hotel, 616 Elizabeth St, 9347 3917 (arthouse@hotmail.com). Also a live music venue so you might want to check whether it will be noisy.
- Central City Accommodation Melbourne, [2], Various locations: Lonsdale St & Elizabeth St, 8304 5008 (enquiries@centralcityaccom.com). 2 Bdrm Apartment from $89 Per night.
- City Centre Private Hotel, 22 Little Collins St, 9654 5401.
- Elizabeth Aus-Asia Hostel, Lvl 1, 490 Elizabeth St, 9663 1685 (elizabethhostel@hotmail.com, fax 9663 2475).
- Enterprize Hotel, 44 Spencer St, +61 3 9629 6991 (http://www.hotelenterprize.com.au, fax (03) 9614 7963). Recently renovated, centrally located, unfortunately their studios have kitchens but no cutlery or crockery!!
- Exford Hotel, 199 Russell St (cnr Little Bourke St), 9663 2697. Old English Pub in the heart of China Town, Heaps of atmosphere 24 hour Reception Free Breakfast http://www.exfordhotel.com.au/ res@exfordhotel.com.au
- Flinders Station Hotel, 35 Elizabeth St (cnr Flinders Lane), 9620 5100 (res@flindersbackpackers.com.au, fax 9620 5101). 24-hour reception. Centrally located. The dorms don’t seem to get cleaned often. There is a music venue in the basement but the noise doesn’t penetrate the rooms. However the rooms do get a lot of street noise at night and early morning, but probably other central city hostels have the same. Twins and doubles have own tv. Beds in 4-bed dorms $23 per night or $136 per week, twin or double $64 per room per night or $379 per week, double ensuite $79 per room per night or $469 per week. http://www.flindersbp.com.au/
- The Friendly Backpacker, 197 King St (near Little Bourke St), Central Melbourne, 9670 1111 (friendly@friendlygroup.com.au, fax 9670 9911). Dorm bed $25, double $80 (all include free Internet and breakfast). http://www.friendlygroup.com.au/
- Greenhouse Backpacker, 228 Flinders Lane (just off Swanston St), Central Melbourne, 9639 6400 (greenhouse@friendlygroup.com.au, fax 9639 6900). Dorm bed $27, single $60, double $78 (all include free Internet and breakfast). http://www.friendlygroup.com.au/
- Hotel Bakpak, 167 Franklin St, Central Melbourne, 9329 7525, 1800 645 200 (infofranklin@bakpakgroup.com, fax 9326 7667). 24 hour reception. Dorm beds $21-$25, single $55, double $60. http://www.bakpakgroup.com/
- Hotel Y, 489 Elizabeth St, 9329 5188.
- Kingsgate Hotel, 131 King St, 9629 4171.
- Melbourne International Backpackers, 450 Elizabeth St, 9662 4066 (res@mibp.com.au, fax 9662 4077). Jan-Apr Dorm beds $19-$21.
- Melbourne Metro YHA, 78 Howard St, Melbourne, 9329 8599 (melbmetro@yhavic.org.au, fax 9326 8427). 24-hour reception. Excellent hostel located on the fringe of the city, about 10 minutes walk to the centre of city. Great facilities and very clean. Free car parking on-site. Shared room from $26, double/twin from $78, Ensuite rooms from $88 (YHA non-members $3.50 extra). Hostel website
- Melbourne Oasis YHA Hostel, 76 Chapman St, North Melbourne, 9328 3595 (oasis@yhavic.org.au, fax 9329 7863). Small friendly hostel located in the pretty suburb of North Melbourne. 10 minutes by tram to city. Close to Royal Park, Melbourne Zoo and main Melbourne hospitals. Great hostel garden, very sheltered, sunny and relaxing. Shared room $26-29, Double $65 (YHA non-members $3.50 extra). Hostel Website
- Stork Hotel, 504 Elizabeth St, 9663 6237 (admin@storkhotel.com, fax).
- Toad Hall Hotel, 441 Elizabeth St (just north of A’Beckett St), Central Melbourne, 9600 9010 (toadhall.hotel@bigpond.com, fax 9600 9013). Office open 7am-10pm. Dorm beds from $25, single from $60, double from $70. http://www.toadhall-hotel.com.au/
- Victoria Hotel, 215 Little Collins St (between Swanston St and Russell St), Central Melbourne, 9653 0441, 1800 331 147 (stay@victoriahotel.com.au, fax 9650 9678). Single $56-$155, twin/double $78-$155, triple $99-$165, family rooms and apartments from $150. http://www.victoriahotel.com.au/
[edit] Mid-range
- Atlantis Hotel, 300 Spencer St (near LaTrobe Street), +613 9600 2900, (reservations@atlantishotel.com.au, fax 9600 2700). 24 hour reception. From $140, but cheaper rates available online. http://www.atlantishotel.com.au
- Explorers Inn, 16 Spencer St (near Flinders St), 9621 3333, 1800 816 168 (contact@explorersinn.com.au, fax 9621 1922). 24 hour reception. Twin or double $118. http://www.explorersinn.com.au
- Southbank Apartments Melbourne, 28 Southgate Ave, Southbank, 9686 7711 (info@southbankapartments.com.au, fax 9686 7722). Premium 1 bedroom serviced apartments from $195. Corporate and government rates available. http://www.southbankapartments.com.au
- Melbourne Accommodation, 2/33 Latrobe St, Melbourne, 9663 8878 (enquiries@melaccom.com, fax 9663 8878). 1 bedroom apartments from $140. Lower rates for extended stays. http://www.melaccom.com
- Rydges Melbourne, 186 Exhibition Street ph 1300 857 922 - Rydges Melbourne is located in the heart of Melbourne's vibrant theatre district and is situated opposite Her Majesty’s Theatre, 1 block from The Comedy Theatre and The Princess Theatre, 2 blocks The Athenaeum Theatre and The Regent Theatre and 3 blocks from The Forum (Old State Theatre). Rydges Hotels and Resorts is an Austrailian owned and operated company.
[edit] Splurge
- Melbourne Visitor Centre, Lower-ground level, Shard building, Federation Square, corner Swanston and Flinders streets (opposite Flinders Street Station), open daily 9am-6pm, closed Christmas Day and Good Friday, street-level lifts give access to the centre, tel City of Melbourne Hotline 9658 9658 - provides information and free maps
[edit] Contact
WikiPedia:City of Melbourne
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: 123 Collins Street, 
: +61 3 9657 1234, 
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