Royal Exhibition Buildings in 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.


Aboriginal Galleries in New South Wales

New South Wales is home to many wonderful Aboriginal museums and art galleries.  Here are a few that you’ll want to check out while in the area.

With one of the largest collections of Aboriginal art in the country, the Yiribana Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Gallery is a must see when visiting Sydney.  Meaning “this way,” Yiribana’s highlights include seventeen pukumani grave posts, artifacts and birch paintings from Arnhem Land, and works by Australia’s leading Aboriginal artists, both past and present.

Also in Sydney, at Darling Harbour, is the Gavala Aboriginal Gallery, an Aboriginal-owned gallery and store.  Here you can purchase Aboriginal art from across Australia, including paintings, carvings, boomerangs and didgeridoos.  You’ll also find a good selection of books at the store.  Near the Port Stephens area is the Tobwabba Art Gallery and Studio, where twenty-two Aboriginal artists are showcased.  They style here differs greatly from traditional Aboriginal art, as these “contemporary coastal” artists blend modern and traditional images and use rich, vibrant colours.

The Muru Mittigar Aboriginal Cultural Center in western Sydney provides an incredible learning experience.  Although primarily focused on the Darug people, the museum also reflects the diversity of Aboriginal groups across Australia.  Dancers perform at the outdoor amphitheatre, and tour guides demonstrate such activities as playing the didgeridoo and using a boomerang.  The café features traditional Aboriginal bush tucker.

South of Sydney is the Umbarra Cultural Centre where visitors can learn about the Yuin people.  Tours of sacred areas can be taken both by four-wheel-drive and also on a boat cruise on Wallaga Lake.  There are many activities that visitors can participate in, including body painting with ochre, throwing the boomerang, building bark shelters, and listening to local stories.

Finally, if you are in the Pokolbin area, you might wish to visit Biame, based in the beautiful Hunter Valley Gardens.  Although they primarily sell authentic Aboriginal arts and crafts, there are also opportunities to take informative tours of the center and also of the local Wollemi National Park.