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Tuesday, March 14, 2017

Flinders Street Railway Station, Melbourne

Before Federation Square took the honours, Flinders Street station was Melbourne's favourite meeting place, hence the catchphrase "meet me under the clocks". Flinders Street is Australia oldest train station, and with its distinctive yellow facade and green copper dome its a city icon. Takeaway stands line the concourse, and the upper floors were purpose build to house a library, gym and a lecture hall, later used as a ballroom. 

Flinders Street is the busiet suburban railway station in the southern hemisphere with over 1500 trains and 110,000 commuters passing through each day. Listed on the Victorian heritage Register, its 708 metre platform is the fourth longest railway platform in the world. 
 
This lovely old iconic building is a great meeting place on the steps and easily recognized by the clock on the roof. It can be seen from quite a distance and it looks spectacular all lit up at night.  
 
We love seeing Flinders Street in both the day and night. The facade is over a hundred years and is spectacular at night when it is lit up. We recommend to have a river walk in the evening to enjoy mesmerizing views and also eateries on the river bank. 
 
This building is an impressive icon of the city and the roads surrounding this building is busy thru out the day. A great  building to have your photo taken to show you have been in Melbourne. 
 
There are many shops selling a kind of food opposite the building. Also Federation Square is just opposite the building. Meanwhile, there are many attractions around this building and you can plan your visit together. 

Location 
Flinders Street Railway  Station, Flinders Street Melbourne VIC 3000 Australia


Getting here 
By Train 
- Flinders Street Railway Station

By Tram
- Swanston and Flinders Street (Trams Number 35, 70, 75)

- Flinders Street Station Stop 13 (Trams Number 1, 3/3A, 5,6,8,16,64,67,72)








Sunday, March 12, 2017

St Paul's Cathedral, Melbourne Australia

St Paul's Cathedral is an Anglican cathedral in Melbourne. It is the cathedral church of the Diocese of Melbourne and the seat of the Archbishop of Melbourne who is also the metro political archbishop of the Province of Victoria and since 28 June 2014, the present seat of the Primate of Australia. 
The cathedral has a surprising interior. The browns and beige's are offset by the gold and stain glass windows at the altar.  
 
 
Opposite Federation Square, St Paul's Cathedral built between 1880 and 1931. Constructed in sandstone, the current building replaced an earlier bluestone church, built on the site where the first public Christian services in Melbourne were led by Dr Alexander Thomson in 1836. Designed by William Butterfield, the cathedrals architecture is described as Gothic transitional, combining Early English and Decorative styles. Highlights include the fine polychromatic brickwork, beautiful patterned floor tiles and mosaics, banded stonework, fine timbered roof and tiles dado wall. 
 
The cathedral is beautiful. It's free to walk around and if you wish to take photos or film, you will need to purchase a photography pass; its $5.00 for photography and $15.00 for video. 
 
 
Lovely stained glass doors and windows, architecture and interesting historical information. There is a gift shop selling some lovely gifts. There is no charge to enter the Cathedral but if desired a donation is welcome. 
 
 
 
Volunteers give you a little leaflet guide so you can walk around and understand what you are looking at and its history. Whether you are into religion or not, this is a great place to visit and admire the beauty in its craftsmanship. 
 
 
 
We really enjoyed the calm and peace of being inside and away from the hubbub of a big city. 
 
Showcases with plates and cups from the Nancy Curry Memorial Collection

More information, please visit www.cathedral.org.au 

Cathedral Opening Hours 
Monday - Friday      : 8.00am - 6.00pm 
Saturday                   : 9.00am - 4.00pm
Sunday                     : 7.30am - 7.30pm
Public Holiday         : 11.00am - 3.00pm

Location 
St Paul's Cathedral, Corner Flinders and Swanston Streets, Melbourne VIC 3000 Australia



Getting here 
By Train
The nearest train station is Flinders Street station. St Paul's Cathedral is located directly opposite the Flinders Street station clocktower at the interstation of Flinders and Swanston streets.

By Tram 
Flinders Street and Swanston Street are both easily accessible by multiple tram routes.

Friday, March 10, 2017

Bourke Street Melbourne, Australia

Bourke Street is one of the main streets of Melbourne's Central Business District and a core feature of the Hoddle Grid. It was traditionally the entertainment hub of inner-city Melbourne and is now also  a popular tourist destination and tram thoroughfare. Bourke Street is named for Sir Richard Bourke, the Governor of New South Wales in 1837 during the drafting of the Hoddle Grid. 
 
Designed by A.E. Johnson, the Melbourne's GPO started as a post office and small sorting space in around 1864. In 1992, the Australia Post made a rather sensational announcement of its plans to end the building as its major postal hall. The building was dramatically refurbished and transformed into a contemporary fashion hub, now occupied by the Swedish retail giant H&M as its pioneer flagship store in Australia.  Two full floors of stark white walls, floors and glass are perfect for displaying the full H&M range of fashion, homewares and cosmetics. Delicious eateries in GPO Lane are there for mid-shopping sustenance. 
 
The Federal Coffee inhabits a big, beautiful space in the GPO and recalls a glided age where temperance hotels or coffee palaces, ruled Melbourne. More than 130 years, the Federal is still a grand place for a swish breakfast (Great French toast) or pop in snack (ace Portuguese tarts) with of course a Genovese coffee chaser. 
 
 
The Royal Arcade in Bourke Street Mall through to Little Collins Street is one of Melbourne's most treasured shopping malls. It hark back to the genteel times of the Victorian era. Built in 1869 and renovated between 2002-2004, it houses some beautiful old shops. It is famous for Gog and Magog, the mystical creatures that guard the entrances at Little Collins Street. 
 
Establish in 1838, David Jones is Australia's oldest department store, and the oldest in the world still trading under its original name. 
 
 
 
 
The Melbourne Visitor Booth, located in the Bourke Street Mall between Swanston and Elizabeth streets, is a great place to find information on shopping, attractions, and events as well as free brochures and maps of the city.
 

Location 
Bourke Street Mall, Melbourne VIC 3000 Australia



Getting here
By Tram 
Any tram along Swanston or Elizabeth Streets to Bourke Street

By Foot 
Two blocks north from Federation Square (about 5 minutes) 


Tuesday, March 7, 2017

Southern Cross Railway Station, Melbourne

 
Southern Cross is the major railway station (V/Line Regional railway network) and transport hub for Melbourne, providing services to Melbourne suburbs, Regional Victorian and Interstate destinations. Additionally, there is the Sky Bus service useful for those transiting from Melbourne Airport and Avalon Airport. There are tram services that leave from right outside the station to various points around Melbourne. 

The Station structurally links to the Spencer Outlet Center, although is not as busy as other shopping outlets,  it still has an attraction due to his proximity. There are a number of fast food outlets (Hungry Jacks, Lord of the Fries, Red Lobster, Subway, Starbucks, Gloria Jeans and etc) and supermarket (Woolworths). 
 
This is huge railway station in Melbourne. Extremely busy during early morning and late afternoon where commuters use the trains to get to work in the city and back home to as far as to some of the Regional Victorian on the V/Line. The huge roof protecting this station is unique. 
 
The SkyBus Melbourne City Express service to Melbourne Airport operates from Southern Cross Station every 25 minutes. The fare was $19.00 per person one way.

Additionally, SkyBus Melbourne City Express ticket is include a complimentary transfer to and from your city accommodation. The Hotel transfer service operates from 6.00am to 10.30pm weekdays and 6.00am to 7.00pm on weekends. For more info, you can visit their website at www.skybus.com.au/free-city-hotel-shuttle/participating-hotels/ 

 
Luggage lockers are available in various sizes through out the station if you wanted to drop it off and not carry it around. Lockers are located within the train station and the bus interchange. This service is available 24 hours / 7 days a week. 

Please visit www.southerncrossstation.net.au/luggage_services.html for the lockers rate

 
 
 
 

Southern Cross Station Directories

Southern Cross Station Map 


















Location
Southern Cross Station, Collins Street, Melbourne VIC 3008 Australia