When gold was discovered in Melbourne in 1852, it prompted a gold rush that had far reaching effects – immigrants in Britain purchased more tickets to Melbourne in 1852 than to any other place worldwide. It also had far reaching effects on the city, and to get a taste of how the gold rush impacted Melbourne you’ll want to take the Golden Mile Herigate Trail.
The trail starts in Federation Square at the Melbourne Museum. Guided tours are available daily, but be sure to call ahead for bookings. You can also explore the trail on your own with a booklet purchased from the visitor’s centre, an option that provides a very flexible way to enjoy the city. The trail is an easy walk of about four kilometers, taking about two-and-a-half to three hours and explores the so-called ‘golden mile’ of outstanding architecture built when the city was flush with money from the gold rush. With thirty-three stops, there is really no better way to begin exploring the sights of Melbourne.
As you make your way along the route, your tour guide will share stories of colorful characters and historic places. The trail opens with the Immigration Museum, which was the old Customs House. Further along you’ll see the La Meridien Hotel, formerly the Rialto, which was created by its architect to look like a Venetian building. Enjoy Melbourne’s equivalent of England’s Chancery Lane, and in the financial district marvel at the gothic architecture of the ANZ Banking Museum. In the Parliament area you’ll notice several prominent statues, and you can explore the supposedly haunted Princess theater. The tour ends at the Royal Exhibition Buildings where visitors can head back to the museum or enjoy a stroll around Carlton Gardens.
The Royal Exhibition Building in Carlton Gardens, in Melbourne, is a true architectural treasure. Built in 1880 for the Melbourne International Exhibition, it remains as a rare example of architecture used in world fairs or exhibitions. Since most buildings at such events were only temporary structures, there are few remaining to this day.
The architect, Joseph Reed, designed a Great Hall complete with a dome, portal entries, fanlight windows, and a cruciform floor plan. At the time of the exhibition, many temporary structures supplemented the hall. When exploring the building today you can still see the foundation of a fence that outlined the exhibition grounds. Although parts of the building have changed over the years, four original murals remain in the dome, and a major conservation project was completed in 1994 that restored the building’s paint color back to its shade in 1904. Today, the building acts as an exhibition hall for many local events. Guided tours are available through the Melbourne Museum which is located right next to the Royal Exhibition Building.
Carlton Gardens are to be enjoyed for their own sake as well. Encompassing an entire block, the Gardens contain two small lakes, three fountains, carriage avenues and walking paths. It remains as a shining example of nineteenth century Gardenesque style. The southern portion of the garden remains almost exactly as it was originally designed, while the northern garden has been restored to its 1880 design.
Since the Royal Exhibition Building and Carlton Gardens are located just outside of the central business district of Melbourne, they are easily accessible by public transit. Parking is also available. It is advisable to check on the schedule of events prior to your visit.
Established in 1846 by Lieutenant Governor Charles La Trobe, the Royal Botanical Gardens in Melbourne are truly a remarkable example of botanical art. For visiting green thumbs, it is a sight and experience not to be missed. The gardens are home to thousands of different plant species from across Australia and the world. The first director of the gardens, Ferdinand von Mueller, helped to establish this collection, and also the scientific centre located on the property. His successor, William Guilfoyle, created the Gardens’ celebrated landscape style with its scenic lawns, lakes, and viewpoints.
The Gardens’ massive collection of plants is organized in multiple collections located around the property. Don’t miss the classic Australian Forest Walk, highlighting rainforest fauna from across Australia, or the Eucalypt Lawn where native Australian wildflowers can also be seen. Fern Gully recreates an Australian sub-tropical rainforest that visitors can explore. In addition to such innovative exhibits, the Gardens are also home to traditional collections such as the Rose Garden, the Perennial Border, and the Chinese Gardens.
No matter the season, there is always something to see in the Gardens. In winter visit the over three hundred Camellias that bloom every year. Spring and summer bring a riot of color to the Gardens, particularly in the Perennial Border, the Rose Garden, and the California Garden. Autumn is the perfect time of year to visit the massive oak trees as their leaves turn dramatic shades of red and gold.
A great place for families, the Gardens also feature an interactive children’s garden where younger visitors can explore various areas including an old ruin, a bamboo forest, and a wetland. Although there are two cafés available on-site, picnicking is also encouraged, although barbecues are not permitted. Visitors can join guided tours and take home souvenirs from the shop. The Gardens are wheelchair accessible.
