My hometown Melbourne is popular with tourists but I am bored with seeing the same old tourist attractions in travel photography. There is more to see in Melbourne instead of street art in laneways, cafes, Zoos, St Kilda’s Luna Park or the river.
This is my collection of some of my favourite photos I’ve taken around Melbourne and my suggestions of what to see, usually for free.
Melbourne is the capital of the state of Victoria and known as the “Garden State”. Sure there are many gardens to relax in but if you visit after-dark it is possible to hang out with the Australian Marsupials called Possums. They are fairly tame if you have food and there are no dogs are about. These two in the photo are eating chips in a park in inner suburbian St Kilda.
Williamstown is a suburb to the West of the city. It was the first area to be settled by white man in 1835. Easily reached by train, it has decently priced pub meals and great views of the Melbourne skyline. The information centre has plenty of tips and maps for historic walks to see the unique architecture. A ferry operates on weekends from the city centre but it is overpriced.
No its not the outback. Catch a train to Sandringham and long the beach there are eroded sandstone cliffs which make for great photographs. And you can always go for a swim in the clean water where only locals go.
Moonee Valley horse races have night race meetings on Friday nights in the warmer months. There are also regular race meetings at Flemington, Caulfield and Sandown (free entry for midweek meetings).
Behind the spire of the Arts Centre there is a collection of six bizarre bronze sheep statues. You will only find them if you go around the back of the building, where no one goes.
If you walk south down Bourke Street Mall you will reach the Docklands precedent. Once an eyesore, the Docklands has many modern architectural masterpieces. This building housing the television station Channel 9 is my favourite and is right next to Southern Cross railway station.
Melbourne University has some impressive buildings to see and the free Ian Potter Museum of Art. Nearby is the Melbourne General Cemetery where free maps are available to find locally famous graves. Also Lygon Street is a block away where alot of the best restaurants in Melbourne are located.
The bees on Eureka tower at Southbank are often overlooked when visiting observation deck on the top floors.
Port Melbourne is a short tram ride away. The Spirit of Tasmania ferry docks here and there are plenty of photo opportunities if you start a beach walk from here to St Kilda. Half way is Albert Park where the F1 Australian Grand Prix is held in March each year.
The Shrine of Remembrance is not a secret but I love this photo and there are many photo opportunities and views to enjoy. Surrounded by gardens and free to enter.
