Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Hellenic Museum
MUSEUM, ARCHITECTURE
( 03-8615 9016;
www.hellenic.org.au
; 280 William St; 10am-4pm; 55)
Housed in a beauti-
ful Renaissance revival-style building that was formerly the Royal Mint, this small mu-
seum is dedicated to Greek immigrants who moved here in the 1950s, and the legacy
they've left the city - the third-biggest Greek-speaking city behind Athens and Boston.
Flagstaff Gardens
(William St, btwn La Trobe, Dudley & King Sts; Tourist Shuttle, 24, 30, 55, City Circle, Flagstaff)
Ori-
ginally known as Burial Hill, these gardens were the site of Melbourne's first cemetery,
where eight of the city's early settlers were buried. Today its pleasant open lawns are pop-
ular with workers taking a lunchtime break. The gardens contain trees that are well over
100 years old, including Moreton Bay fig trees and a variety of eucalypts, including spot-
ted, sugar gums and river red gums. There are plenty of possums about, but don't feed
them.
The hill once provided one of the best views out to the bay, so a signalling station was
set up here: when a ship was sighted arriving from Britain, a flag was raised on the flag-
staff to notify the settlers. The Wurundjeri people also found it significant for the same
useful vista, which stretches as far as Mt Macedon.
PARK
Koorie Heritage Trust
CULTURAL CENTRE
(
03-8622 2600;
www.koorieheritagetrust.com
; 295 King St; gold-coin donation, tours $15;
9am-5pm Mon-Fri;
24, 30, Flagstaff)
Devoted to southeastern Aboriginal culture, this cultural centre
displays interesting artefacts and oral history. Its gallery spaces show a variety of contem-
porary and traditional work, a model scar tree at the centre's heart, and a permanent chro-
nological display of Victorian Koorie history. Behind the scenes, significant objects are
carefully preserved; replicas that can be touched by visitors are used in the displays. It's in
the process of relocating, so check the website for details.
dens and along the Yarra, which puts the area into context. Tours are mainly for school
groups, but it's normally OK to tag along; call ahead to enquire.
