A Melbourne Quickie

With interstate friends visiting Melbourne for the weekend I had an opportunity to play tourist for a few days, and rediscovered the fun of this city I now call home. 

Festivals

South Australia is known as the Festival State, and don’t get me wrong they can do a festival like no other, but if you want to see one then you better be there in March or you will miss out. Melbourne is awash with festivals year round. On Saturday night we went to the Awards party for the 2009 Melbourne Fringe signalling the end of another stellar season. Monday night we are off to the family friendly Transe Express which forms the opening of the Melbourne International Arts Festival. 

Throughout the year I have also taken visitors to other shows and events as part of the Melbourne International Comedy Festival, the Melbourne Food and Wine Festival, Melbourne International Jazz Festival, Melbourne Writers Festival and Melbourne International Film Festival. There have also been festivals celebrating fashion, horses, chocolate, multicultural communities and the gay and lesbian community. Next year artistic directors have found a gap in the calendar and will be adding a cabaret festival. 

What ever takes your fancy, Melbourne will celebrate it. To be honest it an excuse to frock up for a launch or an awards night down a few glasses of bubbly supplied by corporate sponsors. IF South Australia is the Festival State then Victoria is the Party State. 

Markets

Arguably the most famous of Melbourne’s markets, the Queen Victoria Markets are fuelled with bargains, knock offs, performers and good food. Whether there for weekly fresh produce, clothes, live poultry or gifts and souvenirs a visitor (and locals for that matter) can easily spend a day soaking up the atmosphere. Hungry then find a café and choose your favourites off the menu. Or create your own gourmet platter from the produce on sale in the market itself. This experience is also available at many suburban markets across metropolitan Melbourne. 

Is there anything better than a plate of fresh dips, cheeses, spiced sausages and a loaf of crusty bread on a sunny spring day as you do a bit of people watching?

Laneways

Don’t be put off by the recovering drunks left over from the opening night of the next big festival, cowering behind miniskip bins, they are the only thing that actually show were a great venue might be lurking. Sydney venues will fill their windows with neon light, flashing arrows audaciously directing you to the doorway in which stands a man calling out to you inviting you in. Melbourne venues are more discreet, no lights, no arrows, no men spruiking their wares. 

At first glance you might not even notice the door itself. But if you do actually lean on the brick that is in fact the hidden door release you may just find yourself in one of the most upmarket rooms in the city; night clubs, cocktail lounges, galleries, theatres and cafes. The furniture may not match, the lighting might be as subtle as the entrance, and the atmosphere slightly bohemian, but you can all but guarantee a memorable experience.

 

If you do not manage to find one of the elusive doorways then enjoy the artwork that dons the walls of the laneways themselves. Some people will describe it as graffiti, and yes there are the occasional tagging, offensive or political slogan however the term “graffiti” does not do justice to the skill and creativity of the artists. 

Sightseeing

Melbourne has done an excellent job of maintaining its historic buildings. Dotted in amongst the glass and cement that is modern architecture are numerous buildings displaying the beauty or hand crafted building techniques. Sure some of them might now house a legal brothel or be the hideaway for a gang leader, so take care when framing your shot when photographing the fine masonry, tableaux or mosaics. These are not people that demonstrate an enjoyment in being tagged on Facebook. You will take your life into your own hands if you attempt to poke them.

Docklands, great waterfront eateries, drinking holes, street entertainment and walkways. Stroll along the docks until you find your self watching the third biggest but shortest operating observation wheel being dismantled.

Eureka Skydeck, prides itself on being the highest viewing platform in the southern hemisphere with the world’s first edge experience. The experience will cost you. But it is worth it. During the day enjoy the sprawling views you can almost see to Geelong that despite their protests of denial is now an outer suburb of Melbourne. At night enjoy the lights where the whole city looks like a scene from National Lampoons Christmas Vacation.

Cafes

Jeff Green said “Cafes, what have you got one per person now” and he may be right. The upside of this phenomenon is that there is something to suit every taste, budget and size of appetite. Remember the lane ways some of the best will be hidden.

Gaylords, a great Indian restaurant which hides itself deep in the heart of China Town. There are great café strips too Degraves Lane, Hardware Lane, Lonsdale St, Little Bourke St just to name a few. Or only a short walk out of the CBD there is Lygon St, Carlton or Smith St, Fitzroy

Just like jewellery and clothing there is no reason to pay full price with nearly every eatery having nightly specials, parma night, half price curry lunches or pay the time. If you enjoy travelling and would love to visit the United States of America but just can’t afford it then walk though the city and visit a MacDonald’s, Starbucks, 7-Eleven or donut store.

Melbourne has it all.