Melbourne

Melbourne

Sophisticated and slick, edgy and rough, Melbourne’s physical and cultural landscape is shaped by a dynamic population, ever-ravenous for a bite of global culture. 

STATION 1: 12 Apostles

Witness the rugged spendour of the famous 12 apostles, magnificient rock stacks that

rise up majestically from the Sourthern Ocean on Victoria’s dramatic coastline.

Limestones cliffs

Created by constant erosion of the limestones cliffs of the mainload beginning 10-20 million years ago, the stormy Southern Ocean and blasting winds gradually the softer limestones, forming caves in the cliffs.

 The caves eventually became arches and when they collapsed rock stacks up to 45 metres high were left isolated from the shore. View the 12 Apostles at sunrise and sunset as they change colour from dark and forebodingin shadow to brilliant sandy yellow under a full sun.

How to get there?

The 12 apostles are located 275 kilometres west of melbourne, approximately a four-hour drive along the Great Ocean Road.

STATION 2: Flinders Street Station

Flinders Street Station, apart from being the hub of Melbourne's transport system, is one of the city's great landmarks and icons. Opened in 1884, the station dominates the intersection of Flinders and Swanston Streets. The steps under the station's famous domed clock tower has long been the most popular meeting place for Melbourneans coming into the city.

STATION 3: Melbourne Aquarium

The Melbourne Aquarium was officially opened in January 2000 and is now host to over 30 exhibits and providing a home for 3,000 animals. It is located on the corner of Flinders & King Streets and overlooks the Yarra River. It has a striking view directly across to Crown Casino and to the east, up-river, to Southgate. It is also adjacent to the location purported to be where John Batman declared "this will be the place for a village" on the founding of Melbourne.

Dive With The Sharks

penguins frolicking

At the end of the tunnel and having passed through the turnstiles the tour begins with the Antarctica exhibition, a display of a variety of penguins frolicking, swimming, socialising and watching you watching them. You then follow a meandering path which passes further Experiences, of what the Aquarium has classified as, the Weird & Wonderful, River to Reef and ending with Sharks Alive.

Entry to and exit from this 360º viewing area is via two viewing tunnels at opposite sides of the main arena. Visitors who wish to experience something different can Dive With The Sharks or try the Shark Walker experience, both of which are conducted in the main tank.

The Melbourne Aquarium experiences near to 55,000 visitors per month with its most people viewing The Antarctica and Fish Bowl exhibits.

The Aquarium is open all year round between the hours 9:30 to 18:00 daily and from 1st to 26th January from 9:30 until 19:00 daily. Wheelchairs access is available to all exhibits.

Station 4: Cafes

Brother Baba Budan, Melbourne

Melbourne is the coffe capital of Australia. In the CBD, the cobblestoned laneways are filled with the aroma of espresso coming from a myriad of cafes, Furthes afield, Richmiond, St Kilda, Fitzroy, South Melbourne and Prahran also offer great cafe strips, with a more laid-back feel.

sweet pastry

 Coffee. We all know it and we all love it. With so many different types and combinations everyone has a favourite. Everyone loves coffee just ask them. If they don't... shoot them, they are clearly zombies and have lost all cognitive ability.  Drinking coffee is one of the more pleasant life experiences one can partake in as we  did at Brother Baba Budan in the beautiful city of Melbourne, synonymous with all things good. Especially coffee. 

Station 5: The Arts Centre

The Arts Centre, at the start of the St Kilda Road Boulevard, is Melbourne's main arts, music and theatre complex. There are two main buildings on the left as you leave Flinders Street Station and walk across Swanston Street Bridge. The buidings are situated alongside the Yarra River and Southbank.

You can't miss the complex as one of the buildings has a spire that towers 162 metres and which is lit up at night. Located in the building beneath the tower are three theatres: State Theatre, Playbox Theatre and the George Fairfax Studio. In the second building is the Hamer Hall (previously Melbourne Concert Hall). There are cafes at both venues. On Sundays, you can 

take a "Backstage Tour" at the Arts Centre.