Absolutely sign up for a guided tour to view this building. You start the tour at the museum next…read moredoor and then walk over to the Royal Exhibition Building. You get to walk in and take as many pics as you'd like. Then, you go down stairs into the basement. And then, on the way back you go up to the rooftop. The rooftop has great views of the city and surrounding areas. I took a ton of pics up there and we had a great time. After that, you'll walk back down to the 2nd floor and take more pics inside. I can't believe how much original stuff is still here. Great way to spend an hour.

Beautiful Heritage listed building that ins now over 140 years old. Great for photos. The…read moreMelbourne Museum is nearby, and there are many excellent cafes and restaurants just short walk away, Garry Image by Aspect Property Photography https://www.aspectpro.com.au/

I'm impressed by this weekly event. We have a similar monthly event where I grew up, but the one in…read moreMelbs is every single week! You can sample various delicious foods, check out the local artwork, watch performers on the stage, or even watch a movie with some hot apple cider. There are a lot of vendors selling jewelry and clothing. I bought a very cute bracelet with custom charms and amethyst stones. I also got to try on some kimonos. Kimono stylist Sala Okabe will personally fit one for you. Just bring a smile and a camera. If you want to purchase, a kimono is only $20 -- cheaper than what I paid when I ordered mine online.

The Night Market is a mid-week cure for the winter hibernation blues. Imagine Mamak chefs…read morestretching paper-thin roti dough, young women decorating Taiwanese pancakes, and burley men pushing sugar cane through a press while touting the juice as a remedy for various ailments. The market combines food, crafts, and entertainment to brighten up the long winter nights. After you've selected a tasty treat, you can grab a seat at the pop-up cinema, check out the live music, or snap a picture with one of the roving performers. (On the night I visited one of these "performers" was a goat in an onesie. While I suspect he wasn't one of the official acts, he was the most popular.) There are plenty of hearty Melbournians out and about to create a festive atmosphere and it's not nearly as crowded as its sister, the summer Suzuki market. This makes it an easy place to meet up with friends and have a chat while browsing the stalls. Be sure to rug up! Fires and heat lamps keep the cold at bay, but it's an outdoor venue. If you're still feeling chilly, then wrap your hands around a toasty cup of mulled wine - it will warm you up inside and out!

Absolutely amazing service and heard scratches coming from walls and heard a voice say "get out of…read moremy prison" whisper in my ear when I was only one in the gaol doing ghost investigations I contacted Ned Kelly

Melbourne's oldest prison, historic Magistates Court & former police city watch house. Step back…read morein time and walk the road to the gallows in a 19th century prison, be arrested in a modern-day Police Station or put yourself on trial in court. Home to Melbourne's oldest prison, historic Magistrates' Court and former Police City Watch House, Russell Street has been at the heart of crime, law and order in Melbourne since the 1840s. Most of Australia's infamous characters, including iconic bushranger, Ned Kelly and notorious gangster Squizzy Taylor have spent time within the walls of this amazing precinct. A ticket to the Old Melbourne Gaol grants you visiting rights to the past, present and future of crime and justice in Australia. Now a museum with self & guided tours, this storied tri-level jail once housed notorious inmates. https://www.oldmelbournegaol.com.au

I know, I know; I am 3+ months behind on my reviews... It's…read morejust that my travel schedule has been super busy and I am about to take off again. Thanks for your patience. Quality/Quantity - So many good places to eat and drink. Monthly pop-ups, market days. Many malls also. Next time I will visit the Museum of Chinese Australian History. Address: 22 Cohen Place Melbourne VIC 3000 Australia Tel: (03) 9662 2888 E-mail: info@chinesemuseum.com.au Atmosphere - Good size Chinatown, way bigger than Sydney. Beautiful cool decor, see pictures. Service - Good. Price - Depends on what you do, buy, eat, or drink. Owner Comment - Cut and pasted from website: "Chinatown is a distinctive and well-known area of Melbourne which dates back to the gold rush days of the 1850s. Chinatown Melbourne is the longest continuous Chinese settlement in the western world. Chinatown's essential character and the main focus is along Little Bourke Street with alleys that link the area to Bourke Street and Lonsdale Street."

This Chinatown is like a throwback but in all the best ways. I love the integration of new and old…read moreand the preservation of what used to be, while trying to stay modern. The gates flanking the main thoroughfare are gorgeous and seem to have been kept up pretty well. There are a lot of "issues" with the idea of these gates from the past but I love to see them today, not as gates to keep in but as gates to welcome all people. There are so many good looking food options, both high and low price range. There are quite a few "hidden" gems that are in side streets and what look like defunct shopping centers. There's plenty of shopping here as well, from major name brands to small businesses.

No matter what I write here, no matter how well I describe it, nothing will ever EVER prepare you…read morefor Bobby McGee's. Bobby's used to be a club back in the 90's, but now operates simply as a function and event space. I was lucky enough to attend a function here and I won't be forgetting it in a hurry. The venue is set up as a small but very bright town of a bygone era with a sunken dance-floor in the centre. Around the outside area are different 'stalls with each 'stall' acting as a different bar including; a Beach bar, a diner, an automotive repair joint and even Roxy Nightclub. Confusing, yeah? Check out the website to get a better grasp of what I'm trying to say! Capacity is around 500 which is perfect for that big function you're holding. The staff are fantastic and incredibly helpful, they'll make your event extra special even offering dancers on podiums (the cool kind, not the skanky kind) and other little extras can be added to this already extraordinary venue. Like I said, I can't explain Bobby's well enough to give it the glory it deserves, it really is something you have to see for yourself.

The Public Purse is a huge granite and stainless steel sculpture. It was created after a contest to…read moredesign unique seating in Melbourne. It is a quirky place to have a seat for weary shoppers or tourists in the Central Business District. So fun!

I'm not really all that sure about this particular thing, though I guess it does serve to give…read moreMelbourne a bit of character. Mind you, I wouldn't go as far as calling it an icon, because it isn't as if people come to Melbourne just to see 'The Public Purse'. Yet, it is one of those places that could serve as a meeting spot, if it wasn't for the fact that there happen to be some clocks on Flinder's Street Station where people do the exact same thing.

Melbourne is a truly multicultural city, as it is Australia's most populous city. Since World War…read moreII, large-scale immigration from Vietnam, Lebanon, Turkey, Sudan, Italy, and Greece has added to the cultural richness. There is a rivalry between Melbourne and Sydney that extends beyond this city's 5.2 million population, from sporting events to fashion trends and economic influence. We could see just by driving around the city that Melbourne's distinct European charm and feel come through in interactions with both strangers on the street and working people, and that Melburnians emphasize their high quality of life. Below the city's towering skyscrapers (the tallest building is 108 stories high) is a grand mixture of well-preserved Victorian architecture, tree-lined boulevards, expansive gardens, and parks that adds a historical elegance. After visiting one of the city's historic and expansive gardens (Fitzroy Gardens) and passing by numerous green parks within the city's center, our group was taken to the Eureka Skydeck, AKA Melbourne Skydeck, to get a bird's eye view (well, 91 stories is higher than most non-migratory birds' flight) of this bustling city. The Melbourne Skydeck, on Level 88, is the highest observation deck in the Southern Hemisphere and offers a 360° panoramic view of the city and beyond. There is a glass-bottomed "cube" called "The Edge" that extends from the Sky Deck, but we didn't dare walk out onto it. Instead, we braved the OUTDOOR OBSERVATION DECK. We felt the wind and chill blowing through the observation deck as we snapped photos and braced ourselves against the guardrails and chain-link fence. After getting our fill of photos, we stopped to grab a snack at the Skydeck's concession stand. We tried the Australian Steak and Gravy Meat Pie ($10 AUD) and the Sausage Roll with Red Sauce ($10 AUD). Both food items were tasty, and their pastry was flaky and tender, though not the very best. However, I knew that we'd be trying more meat pies or sausage rolls as we continue our way through Australia to New Zealand.

The sky cleared enough for us to walk here and get outstanding views of the city. Adult tickets are…read moreabout $43 and allow you to ride the elevator to the 88th floor and walk around to 360 degree views of the city. We found sitting spots in every direction so that we could relax and enjoy the view. I thought it was cool to see an aerial view of where they play the Australian Tennis Open. Don't forget to step outside. There is a free gated area so you can experience the wind and chill of the air so far up. We grabbed a drink and sat and chatted and probably spent about an hour up there. Good stop.

What a great way to start the morning. I Decided to go for a stroll and ended up at the market and…read morespent a good chunk of time then walked out with a bag of groceries. Reasonably priced and a great selection of products. If you ever want to prepare a meal, there's great selection.. Market city coffee was fantastic, bought some cheeses, and picked up a borek pastry. Market is separated into different buildings. Seafood, deli and meats, and I didn't get to walk to the produce section. I stopped in at nine, but according to Google, it opens at six. In a shopper. Owner told me they close at three on the weekdays and four on the weekends. Open every day!

Definitely glad I booked my Melbourne hotel next to this market knowing I'd spend a good chunk of…read moretime there! The market is huge with so much to see - I spent almost an entire day here! Really great lively atmosphere with lots of people and the large downtown buildings in the backdrop of the market were beautiful! There was a great fruit and vegetable selection - I choose a few different fruit options to take back to my hotel later to enjoy. I LOVE mangosteen but it's hard to get fresh ones in the US so was super stoked to see those available! The indoor section with cheeses, meat and seafood was also super impressive! I snacked on some lobster and oysters then went outside and had some sugarcane juice and the BEST MUSSELS I HAVE EVER HAD IN MY LIFE. Such a great day at this market!!

This is the original Observation Deck for Melbourne, before the Grollo brothers finished building…read morethe Eureka Tower last year. It gives you a 360 degree view of Melbourne and its surrounds on level 55, and was opened to the public in 1994. It is now the second tallest building in Melbourne. You can use the binoculars to get a close-up view of the ant-like humans, and you can get wind-whipped on the outdoor viewing balconies. There is a lovely cafe up there, but considering you have to pay entry to the tower, I'd say take your own snacks!

Great place to take 360 degrees view at Melbourne.read more

There is always something happening in Melbourne's City Square. This time when I was there it was…read moreOccupy Melbourne protesters, an orthodox Jew with watching over the palm leaf covered tent for the feast of the tabernacle and a large sculpture of a black baby demon from the Melbourne Festival. There was also the regular protest here from Falung Gong about the Chinese government's treatment of their members, they are almost always there. A month ago there was a huge pavilion for Melbourne's Fashion Week. Soon it will be filled with Melbourne's Christmas Tree and Santa's Mail Box. The sculptures are always there, the monument to Burke and Wills along with other recent quirky statues. Although a few years ago the dog, Larry La Trobe, was stolen one night, the current one is a new cast from the same mould. Another permanent feature of the square is the John Mockridge Fountain, although that was turned off during the drought. And there are also always people in the cafés around the square. When the square is not occupied with something happening and the weather is fine I enjoy just sitting here. There is plenty of room to sit and enjoy Melbourne.

City Square is a funny little pocket of the city that shows a bit of the eclectic side of…read moreMelbourne. During event times, it's fantastic. This space is brought to life during major events like Comedy Festival, Melbourne Spring Fashion Week, and Christmas time - providing a central hub for free shows, displays and the city's Christmas Tree. There's a little patch of green space, plus a line of vendors to sit down and grab a bite or a drink if you need a break from shopping nearby. When it's not occupied by events, it seems to be the preferred place for protesters, annoying people with flyers, and a rather terrifying busker that likes to shriek at people waiting for their tram while he plays with marionette puppets. I once escorted an out of town friend to her tram late in the evening while he was there and we decided to stay with her until she was in the clear. Provided there's no one loitering around ready to harass you with puppets or political agendas, it's worth dropping by to check out what's happening or put up your feet near the fountains.