What to see and do when in Melbourne
December 10, 2017
Sydney and Melbourne may both be in Australia, but they’re worlds apart – only similarity being the chill vibe evoked by pretty much everyone in the city, and of course, the absolutely delicious food (and coffee!)
For me, the biggest difference was how alive Melbourne felt compared to Sydney (aka restaurants are actually open past 9PM, gasp!). That sounds wrong and I’m not sure how to better encapsulate my feels – but essentially, Melbourne felt like a city (vibrant, alive, and raring to go 24/7), while Sydney somewhat felt like a vacation to the countryside (where folks wake and rest with the sun)
Both certainly have their own merits and charm, and I wouldn’t be able to choose between the two either – so please do check both of them out! Luckily, I’ve got a whole slew of Sydney blogs and Melbourne blogs – just for you!
Before we start though, let me drop a PRO TRIP: Melbourne is well-known for its crazy weather. Locals joke that you can experience the four seasons in just one day (regardless of what the ACTUAL season is at that time of year). So be prepared, and lug around a cap (for the sun), umbrella (for the rain), and a light jacket (for the cold)!
Without further ado, tada!
TABLE OF CONTENTS
FREE WALKING TOURS (in order of priority if you’re short on time)
- Melbourne Sights (I’m Free Walking Tour)
- Melbourne Free (Walks 101)
- Culture Capital (I’m Free Walking Tour)
OTHER AREAS OF INTEREST
- Federation Square
- Flinders Station
- Graffiti lanes
- State Library of Victoria
- Queen Victoria Market
- Shrine of Remembrance
FREE WALKING TOURS
As with every single city I go to, I always try out a free walking tour to dip my feet into the city. This time was no exception, and in fact, because I had the time, I decided to check out the top 3 free walking tours on offer, namely: two tours with I’m Free Walking Tour (Melbourne Sights, and Culture Capital), as well as one city tour with Walks 101. I was slightly worried that they’d be a repeat of each other and I’d simply be wasting my time but they were surprisingly unique (with certain overlaps) and helped me gain a much better understanding of the city as a whole!
Melbourne Sights (I’m Free Walking Tour)
The first tour I opted to join was the Melbourne Sights Free Walking Tour. Out of the 3 tours, I felt this one went more in-depth into the interesting tourist sites within the city proper – always helpful as I learned loads of helpful tips and tricks to help me navigate the city better!
As with all walking tours, don’t expect to enter the actual establishments – you’ll really just pass them by as the guide provides a scintillating monologue about the ins and outs of what you’re seeing. If you’re interested, you can take part by
- Wait by the statue of Sir Redmond Barry in front of the State Library of Victoria
- Walking tour occurs every day, 10:30am and 2:30pm
- Follow the folks who’re wearing the green I’m Free Walking Tour shirt!
Fun fact: Melbourne was one of the main recipients of the gold rush, and many of the fine buildings you see today are due to an era in time aptly called “Marvelous Melbourne” – all of which were funded by gold rush money
Melbourne Free (Walks 101)
Walks 101 is a newer walking tour company compared to I’m Free, so I was keen to check it out and see the difference between the two. Surprisingly, the two Melbourne introductory tours (Melbourne Sights and Melbourne Free) were actually quite different. Melbourne Free focused a lot more on the history of Melbourne and how it came to be. Instead of focusing on the major Melbourne sightseeing areas, we spent a lot more time going through the key historical landmarks and figures that shaped Melbourne into the city that it is today
If you only time for one tour, I’d recommend you do Melbourne Sights (with I’m Free). However, if you have more time or you’re a history enthusiast like myself, I’d highly recommend the Melbourne Free tour of Walks 101!
Culture Capital (I’m Free Walking Tour)
This walking tour is shorter than its counterpart (clocking in at 90mins). I was a bit worried that there would be a lot of overlap with the Melbourne Sights tour, but I shouldn’t have worried, as this tour focused a lot more on the “arts and culture” scene of the city (as the name of the tour implies). It was really fascinating to hear the tidbits around how street art started, where you can find the local music scene, and what are the interesting brunch places to check out. Overall, a great way to learn about how the locals view their city from world class coffee to breathtaking street art, it gave me a much better glimpse of what constitutes the Melburnian identity. Eye-opening!
This tour only runs once a day – so check out this link for more details if you want to join
OTHER AREAS OF INTEREST
Federation Square
At first glance, I wasn’t sure what to make of this building / public space. It’s quirky – was pretty much the thought running through my mind. Interestingly, to determine what shape it would take, an architectural design competition was announced with this one winning (pretty sure there’s a deeper meaning to the design, but to this day, it eludes me!)
It grows on you though – right before I left Melbourne, I dropped by the Federation Square again, and felt slightly bittersweet. Another reason to check this space out? Lots of events occur here throughout the week, e.g. food parks, mini-concerts. In fact, while I was there, I managed to check out the ongoing Bastille Festival!
Flinders Station
This is the major station within Melbourne City. If you plan to take day trips to St. Kilda, Brighton Beach etc – this is the place to go! Equally important is the fact that… it’s one of the most beautiful buildings in Melbourne! <3
Graffiti lanes
Only in Melbourne is graffiti considered art, not vandalism – and where you actually get a permit from the government to take part in these graffiti lanes! I checked out a couple while at Melbourne (all for the love of IG photos), and I’d personally recommend:
- Hosier Lane: where you’ll see the most colored graffiti per square foot
- AC/DC Lane connected to Duckboard place: where you’ll see really thoughtful art pieces
Do note thought that the graffiti on the walls change on a regular basis, so don’t expect to see the same when you go – but isn’t that part of its appeal? Constant reinvention indeed!
Fun fact: Hosier Lane is so named because underwear (aka hosiers) used to be sold in this lane, while AC/DC Lane is named after the famous Australian rock band of the same name
State Library of Victoria
I felt supremely pretentious (bordering sacrilege) when I entered the State Library for the express purpose of taking an Instagram shot. I promise I’ll spend actual time in the library next time – but in this instance, I scurried up to the top floor to get this gorgeous shot!
Queen Victoria Market
This market is SUPER famous. The first time I went, I felt distinctly unimpressed – it felt like a tiangge to me (or a wet market of sort). However, the second time I went back – I realized there were other sections of the market that I really should’ve explored!
The market is huge, with everything and anything under the sun – plus a really good selection of food market and stalls. I highly recommend you go here on your first day and buy LOADS OF FRUITS. The cherries and golden kiwi are sold at really really good prices (esp. when compared to the supermarkets). Likewise, if you’re looking for winter wear, you can get really good deals here as well!
Shrine of Remembrance
A war memorial meant to honor all Australians who served in the wars – you can opt to check it out at sunset, where you’ll be able to snap a beautiful yet austere shot of the sun rising yet again (symbolic eh?), or during operating hours, so you can learn more about the struggles and heroics of those who fought to ensure our freedom
Interested to explore Melbourne further? Check out my other Melbourne blogs!
- What to see and do when in Melbourne
- Eating my way through Melbourne – top picks!
- Day trips from Melbourne (Great Ocean Road, Brighton Houses, St Kilda)
- Great Ocean Road tour experience
DETAILED SYDNEY 6-DAY ITINERARY
- Tips and tricks to enjoy a family trip to Sydney
- Day 1: Airport + Hotel and supermarket + The Rocks Tour
- Day 2: Taronga Zoo + Manly Beach + Golden Century dinner
- Day 3: City Tour + Fish Market + Paddy’s Market + Darling Harbor
- Day 4: Blue Mountain + Leura Village
- Day 5: Opera House + Rocks Market + Australian Heritage Hotel
- Day 6: Bronte to Bondi Coastal Walk + Watson’s Bay + Harbor Bridge + Luna Park
OTHER SYDNEY BLOGS
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Hey, how’s it going?
I want to pass along some very important news that everyone needs to hear!
In December of 2017, Donald Trump made history by recognizing Jerusalem as the captial of Israel. Why is this big news? Because by this the Jewish people of Israel are now able to press forward in bringing about the Third Temple prophesied in the Bible.
Jewish Rabbis have publicly announced that their Messiah will be revealed in the coming years who will be a leader and spiritual guide to all nations, gathering all religions under the worship of one God. They deny Jesus as their Messiah, and the Bible tells us this Jewish Messiah will be the counterfiet that will bring about a false peace, and ultimatley the great tribulation.
They even printed a coin to raise money for the Temple with Donald Trumps face on the front and with king Cyrus'(who built the second Temple) behind him. On the back of the coin is an image of the third Temple.
More importantly, the power that runs the world wants to put a RFID microchip in our body making us total slaves to them. This chip matches perfectly with the Mark of the Beast in the Bible, more specifically in Revelation 13:16-18:
“He causes all, both small and great, rich and poor, free and slave, to receive a mark on their right hand or on their foreheads, and that no one may buy or sell except one who has the mark or the name of the beast, or the number of his name.
Here is wisdom. Let him who has understanding calculate the number of the beast, for it is the number of a man: His number is 666.”
Referring to the last days, this could only be speaking of a cashless society, which we have yet to see, but are heading towards. Otherwise, we could still buy or sell without the mark amongst others if physical money was still currency. This Mark couldn’t be spiritual because the word references two different physical locations. If it was spiritual it would just say in the forehead. RFID microchip implant technology will be the future of a one world cashless society containing digital currency. It will be implanted in the right-hand or the forehead, and we cannot buy or sell without it! We must grow strong in Jesus. AT ALL COSTS, DO NOT TAKE IT!
“Then a third angel followed them, saying with a loud voice, “If anyone worships the beast and his image, and receives his mark on his forehead or on his hand, he himself shall also drink of the wine of the wrath of God, which is poured out full strength into the cup of His indignation. He shall be tormented with fire and brimstone in the presence of the holy angels and in the presence of the Lamb. And the smoke of their torment ascends forever and ever; and they have no rest day or night, who worship the beast and his image, and whoever receives the mark of his name” (Revelation 14:9-11).
People have been saying the end is coming for many years, but we needed two key things. One, the Third Temple, and two, the technology for a cashless society to fulfill the prophecy of the Mark of the Beast.
Visit http://WWW.BIBLEFREEDOM.COM to see proof for these things and much more!
If you haven’t already, it is time to seek God with all your heart. Jesus loves you more than you could imagine. He wants to have a relationship with you and redeem you from your sins. Turn to Him and repent while there is still hope! God bless!