Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Melbourne Cricket Ground
STADIUM
(MCG; 03-9657 8888;
www.mcg.org.au
; Brunton Ave; tour adult/child/family $20/10/50; tours 10am-3pm;
Tourist Shuttle, 48, 70, 75, Jolimont)
With a capacity of 100,000 people, the 'G' is one of
the world's great sporting venues, hosting cricket in the summer and AFL footy in the
winter - for many Australians it's considered hallowed ground. Make it to a game if you
can (highly recommended), but otherwise you can still make your pilgrimage on non-
match-day
tours
that take you through the stands, media and coaches' areas, change rooms
and out onto the ground (though unfortunately not beyond the boundary).
In 1858 the first game of Aussie Rules football was played where the MCG and its car
parks now stand, and in 1877 it was the venue for the first Test cricket match between
Australia and England. The MCG was the central stadium for the 1956 Melbourne
Olympics and the 2006 Commonwealth Games. It was also used as army barracks during
WWII.
The MCG houses the state-of-the-art National Sports Museum.
National Sports Museum
MUSEUM
( 03-9657 8856;
www.nsm.org.au
; MCG, Olympic Stand, Gate 3; adult/concession/family $20/10/50, with MCG
tour $30/15/60; 10am-5pm)
Hidden away in the bowels of the Melbourne Cricket Ground,
this museum features five permanent exhibitions focusing on Australia's favourite sports
and celebrates historic sporting moments. Kids will love the interactive section where they
can test their footy, cricket or netball skills, among other activities.
There are some choice objects on display: the handwritten notes used to define the rules
of Australian Rules football in 1859; a who's who of Aussie baggy green caps (including
Don Bradman's) among great cricketing memorabilia; Brownlow medals; olive branches
awarded to Edwin Flack, Australia's first Olympian in 1886; and Cathy Freedman's fam-
ous Sydney Olympics swift suit. The museum also incorporates the Champions horse-ra-
cing gallery.
Fitzroy Gardens
PARK
(
www.fitzroygardens.com
;
Wellington Pde, btwn Lansdowne & Albert Sts; Tourist Shuttle, 75, Jolimont)
The city drops away suddenly just east of Spring St, giving way to Melbourne's beautiful
