Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
(btwn Federation Sq & the Yarra River; 1, 3, 5, 6, 8, 16, 64, 67, 72, Flinders St)
The three-terraced Bir-
rarung Marr is a welcome addition to Melbourne's patchwork of parks and gardens, fea-
turing grassy knolls, river promenades, a thoughtful planting of indigenous flora and great
viewpoints of the city and the river. There's also a scenic route to the Melbourne Cricket
Ground (MCG;
Click here
)
via the 'talking' William Barak Bridge - listen out for songs,
words and sounds representing Melbourne's cultural diversity as you walk.
The sculptural
Federation Bells
(
www.federationbells.com.au
;
bells 8.30-9.30am, noon-1pm & 5-6pm )
perch on the park's upper level and ring out daily like a robotic orchestra, with 39 brass
bells of various sizes and shapes, all with impressive acoustics, and specially commis-
sioned contemporary compositions.
As a sign of respect to the Wurundjeri people, the traditional owners of the area (in
their language, 'Birrarung Marr' means 'river of mists'), the park features a snaking eel
path with Indigenous Australian art, a shield-and-spear sculpture and an audio installation
outside ArtPlay that tells the story of contemporary Wurundjeri people.
Other highlights are the 10m-high, three-legged mosaic
Angel
, a vivid abstract sculpture
by Deborah Halpern;
Speakers Corner
, featuring original mounds used as soapboxes in the
early 20th century; and a dried riverbed lined with ghost gums and palms, giving it a tran-
quil billlabong feel.
www.artplay.com.au
;
Wed-Sun 10am-4pm)
hosts creative workshops for two- to 13-year-olds,
getting them sewing, singing, painting and puppeteering; it features a very cool play-
ground out back.
Hosier Lane
(Hosier Ln; 75, 70)
Melbourne's most celebrated laneway for street art, Hosier Lane's
cobbled length draws camera-wielding crowds snapping edgy graffiti, stencils and art in-
stallations. Subject matter runs to the mostly political and counter-culture, spiced with ir-
reverent humour; pieces change almost daily (not even a Banksy is safe here). Be sure to
see Rutledge Lane (which horseshoes around Hosier), too.
STREET
Flinders Street Station
HISTORIC BUILDING
