Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
A Few Sightseeing Suggestions
Much of Melbourne's appeal comes from soaking up the atmosphere on
a walk around the city. But if you have time to see only one major attrac-
tion, by all means make it the
Melbourne Zoo.
Other top-of-the-list sights
include
Federation Square,
the
National Gallery of Victoria,
and the
Botanic Gardens.
If you have time, head to
Phillip Island
to see the fairy
penguins.
Tips
the restored quarters of a caretaker who lived there from 1916 to 1928. The
ground floor is taken up by the “Melbourne: A City Built On Gold” display
which shows how Melbourne was built using the profits from the gold rushes.
A temporary exhibition gallery on the premises can feature anything from prints
to gold-thread embroidery. Allow about 1 hour.
Old Treasury Building. Spring St. (top of Collins St.).
&
03/9651 2233.
A$7 (US$4.55) adults, A$3.50
(US$2.30) children, A$18 (US$12) families. Mon-Fri 9am-5pm; weekends and public holidays 10am-4pm.
Bus: City Explorer.
IMAX Theatre
This eight-story movie screen rivals the world's largest
screen at Sydney's Darling Harbour. Recent subjects have been outer space, the
African Serengeti, and the deep oceans.
Melbourne Museum Complex, Rathdowne St., Carlton.
&
03/9663 5454.
Admission from A$14 (US$9)
adults, A$9.95 (US$6.50) children. Daily 10am-10pm. Tram: 1 or 22 from Swanston St.
Melbourne Aquarium
Opened in early 2000, the Melbourne
Aquarium stretches over three levels and features a Barrier Reef-type exhibit,
some interesting jellyfish displays, and an enormous walk-through tank with
larger fish, sharks, and rays. However, it's pretty disappointing compared to the
ones in Sydney and doesn't live up to the hype. Allow 30 minutes.
Corner Queens Wharf Rd and Kings sts., opposite Crown Casino.
&
03/9620 0999.
www.melbourne
aquarium.com.au. Admission A$21 (US$13) adults, A$11 (US$7) children under 16, A$49 (US$32) families.
Daily 9:30am-6pm. Tram: City Circle.
Melbourne Museum
This newly constructed museum is Australia's
largest, and is located opposite the 19th-century Royal Exhibition Buildings. It
houses interactive exhibits and science displays; Bunjikata, the award winning
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Centre; and bits and pieces of social history
among other exhibits. Check out the brightly colored Children's Museum,
which will bring hours of enjoyment to the little ones.
Melbourne Museum Complex, Rathdowne St., Carlton.
&
13 11 02
in Australia. Admission A$15 (US$9.75)
adults, A$8 (US$5.20) children, A$35 (US$22.75) families. Daily 10am-6pm. Tram: 1 or 22 from Swanston St.
Melbourne Observation Desk
From the observation deck on the 55th floor,
near the top of the tallest building in the Southern Hemisphere, you get 360-
degree views of the whole of Melbourne and beyond. See if you can spot the Mel-
bourne Cricket Ground (MCG) and the Crown Casino. A 20-minute film costing
A$2 (US$1.30) shows you what you're looking at, but you might as well just take
a map up with you and figure it out for yourself. Of interest are the displays telling
about life in Melbourne, past and present. There's a cafe here, too. Allow 1 hour.
Rialto Building, 55th Floor, Collins St. (between William and King sts.).
&
03/9629 8222.
Admission A$12
(US$7.70) adults, A$6.50 (US$4.20) children, A$34 (US$22) families. Daily 10am-11pm. Parking underneath.
Tram: Any tram on Collins St.
Kids
Overrated
Kids
