Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Thousands attend the moving Anzac Day (25 April) dawn service, while the Remem-
brance Day service at 11am on 11 November commemorates the signing of the 1918
Armistice marking the formal end to WWI. At this precise moment a shaft of light shines
through an opening in the ceiling, passing over the Stone of Remembrance and illuminat-
ing the word 'love'; all other days this effect is demonstrated using artificial lighting on
the hour. The forecourt, with its cenotaph and eternal flame (lit by Queen Elizabeth II in
1954), was built as a memorial to those who died in WWII, and there are several other
specific memorials that surround the Shrine. You'll get wonderful panoramic views from
the Shrine's upper balcony.
The complex is under 24-hour police guard; during opening hours the police are
quaintly required to wear uniforms resembling those worn by WWI lighthorsemen. Pick
up the the self-guided tour brochure, or otherwise join the
free guided tours
daily at 11am and
2pm, often conducted by returned soldiers. The Galleries of Remembrance will open in
late 2014 for the Centenary of WWI, telling the story of Australians at war.
Government House
( 03-9656 9804;
www.nationaltrust.org.au
; Kings Domain, South Yarra; tour adult/child $18/10; Tourist Shuttle,
1, 3, 5, 6, 8, 16, 64, 67, 72)
On the outer edge of the Botanic Gardens, the Italianate-style
Government House was built in 1872 and has been the residence of all serving Victorian
governors since. A replica of Queen Victoria's palace on England's Isle of Wight, as well
as being the royal pied-à-terre, the house and gardens are also used for an array of state
functions and celebrations. Book well in advance to take the National Trust's two-hour
tour
on Monday and Thursday.
Also included in the tour is
Governor La Trobe's Cottage
, the original Victorian government
house sent out from the mother country in prefabricated form in 1840.
HISTORIC BUILDING
Como House
HISTORIC BUILDING
( 03-9827 2500, tour bookings 03-8663 7260;
www.comohouse.com.au
;
cnr Williams Rd & Lechlade Ave, South
Yarra; adult/child/family $15/9/35; 8)
This grand colonial residence overlooking the Yarra was
begun in 1840, and since faithfully restored by the National Trust. It contains some of the
belongings of the Armytage family, the last and longest owners, who lived in the house
for 95 years. Opening hours are irregular, usually a few showings per month (call ahead
for times and bookings), which will allow you to stroll its extensive, well-tended grounds,
