The former home of one of the wealthiest pioneer couples in Melbourne, Como House is a beautiful example of colonial Australian architecture. A visit to the house and gardens is an excellent introduction into colonial life in Australia, especially amongst the upper classes.
Built in 1847 by Edward Eyre Williams for his new wife Jessie Gibbon, the house changed hands several times during its early history. The third owners, John and Helen Brown, developed the beautiful gardens that can now be seen today. When the Armytage family purchased the house in 1864 the property moved into a period of stability that lasted almost one hundred years. Charles and Caroline Armytage raised their ten children at the house, and in 1906 their daughter, Constance, was married there in what was then coined as the “social event of the year.” In 1959 the Armytage family gave the house to the National Trust so that it could be forever preserved as a heritage site. The house remains fully decorated with Artymage family heirlooms, and is known for its collection of antique furniture. The gardens have been meticulously restored, right down the vegetable gardens that once fed the household. A popular place for both casual picnics and upscale weddings, the gardens are a beautiful spot not to be missed.
Visits to the house and gardens are by guided tour only, so be sure to call ahead. The house is a convenient seven minute walk from the South Yarra train station. Onsite is the well-regarded Bursaria Café where visitors can get a bite to eat or simply enjoy a cup of coffee as they look out onto the gardens. The Café is family friendly, and even allows dogs. Entrance into the house and gardens is free when visiting the café.
This restored heritage district is absolutely a must see for all visitors to Sydney. In 1788 Captain Arthur Phillip established an outpost here on the western side of Sydney Cove. Captain Phillip had over 1400 men, women and children with him, with over half this number convicts. His outpost became the farthest in the British Empire. Today, the Rocks district has been exquisitely restored and offers visitors an experience they aren’t soon to forget. With old buildings and cobbled streets combined with excellent tourist amenities such as shopping, dining, hotels and attractions, this area is sure to please everyone.
The Rocks is home to one of the oldest buildings in Australia, Cadman’s Cottage. Built in roughly 1816 as barracks, the building is now run by the Parks Service and is a great place to get more information on local parks. Garrison Church was built in 1840 to provide a place for soldiers to attend religious services. The area also boasts many of Australia’s oldest pubs, including the Lord Nelson and the Hero of Waterloo, both built in the 1840s. Susannah Place Museum is located in terracehouses also built in the 1840s, and showcases a 19th century corner store.
For those with a taste towards things more modern, how about a walking tour of the Sydney Harbour Bridge? BridgeClimb takes visitors on a walking tour along the steel supports of the bridge. Be sure to book early as this is a popular attraction! The Museum of Contemporary Art and the Sydney Observatory are also located in the Rocks, and the Sydney Opera House is but a short walk from the area. If you visit the Rocks on the weekend, plan to spend some time at the Rocks Market, a fabulous outdoor market. Try taking the train or the ferry to the area, as parking is difficult on busy days.
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.
