It seems as if some people had some rather pointed things to say about this little park hidden away…read morebehind all of the Footscray shops. So, being the rather daring person that I am I decided to go and check it out. Well, it actually wasn't all that bad, and in fact the street art around the area gives it a lot more panache than maybe the older days when it was pretty much avoided.

Maddern Square is our favorite haunt on the way from Cheaper by Miles to the Footscray Market. The…read moresquare is perfectly designed to catch all of the free flowing litter and collect a fine assortment of broken glass and wine cask bladders from a Thursday night to Sunday arvo. Since the closure of the Rotunda in the Railway Gardens, Maddern Square has become the defacto home of late night parties out of the spotlight of the world class Mall that it funnels into and a hot spot to take the kids to see what drugs can do. Maddern Square is full of potential, don't get me wrong. It's a (well known) secret car park if you're going to the market and a great place to rinse a syringe or two before urinating behind the old Godfreys Cleaning store. Sure, it has real grass instead of asto turf, trees that have been pollarded by aspiring gardeners and concrete seating to whittle the time away reading the walled wisdoms, but what it needs is a bottle shop, public toilet and an army of large garbage bins with basketball hoops for incentive. So if you want to see a mall without the shops, but with all of the charm of the Nicholson St showcase (whilst having cars drive at you), Maddern Square is your heaven.

I am the person who painted the unfinished mural in the vaults and also placed many objects in…read morewalls...we,my partner,a friend&I lived there at the vaults for almost 8 months.we made it lovely like a home,not destroying it or leaving a mess...we loved living there and am so grateful for the unique opportunity....it was 2017-18 over summer and into early winter.the council evicted us ,we used a double trailer to remove our stuff,many antiques collected from local streets...as street people-homeless,most people find a squat and deface and soil it leaving it worse than they found it,we always left any place we squatted in ,in a better condition than we found it...it had power,no toilet or water, but careful use and hygiene proved easy enough with the sea baths opposite,we used a sink attached shower hose to shower and toilet,on the roof of the baths..great veiw...a bucket was used for emergency wee situations only,and was emptied down a sewer drain..I was a working girl on the streets of st kilda during our stay at the vaults ,the men whom I had as clie ts were apprehensive upon approach,but once shown inside they were amazed...the police when they came to check out what we were up to,hadn't ever been inside the vaults and called their copper mates to come and see the amazing space we had created...anyway , the vaults history has an amazing history,all the richer for our input.. thank u universe..

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/

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.

Bus terminal, tram interchange point for two lines, and close to a train station, this is a major…read morepublic transport hub of the inner-north-west. Highlights include proximity to Moonee Valley Racecourse, Puckle Street and the Ascot Vale bar/restaurant strip of Mount Alexander Road. Downsides include limited shelter if the rain blows from the wrong direction.

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!