We couldn't walk inside Town Hall as it's closed to the public. But, outside there were clean…read morerestrooms and we found an information center. We were able to get brochures, maps & wonderful suggestions. The volunteers in the information center with very helpful providing us with discounts and suggestions to help us plan our 3 days efficiently in Melbourne.. The building & area were magnificently decorated for the holidays as well. We saw poinsettias & pines, wreaths, nutcrackers, singing penguins and reindeers outside. From 9 until 11 in the evening a light show was projected on the front of the town hall building. It's very cool. Crowds lined up and we are all oooohed and aaahhhhed as the colors changed.

The Melbourne Town Hall, besides being one of the most attractive buildings there is in the city,…read moreis also host to a number of events, arts and entertainment. Its interior matches the elegance of its exterior and it can be booked for a number of functions including wedding receptions and the like. During the Melbourne International Comedy Festival, it comes to life and hosts a number of different acts. We saw Marc Maron from the WTF podcast in the Supper Room (I think). The room was a good size and the acoustics were really good.

We LOVED our visit to Chinatown Melbourne! The lights, the people, everything was so amazing. We…read moretried Duran Fruit at a spot and probably won't ever do that again, but other than that, we can't wait to return.

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."

Plenty of things to see here at the shrine, with lots of history and information. Gift shop here…read morewas kind of lacking. The one problem o had was that their elevator did t go to the top level (or so I was told) so my older people in the group couldn't see the top level because they can't handle the stairs anymore. I'm all honesty I want to give them a 3 especially because of the elevator and gift shop but due to the nature of the place I can't give it lower than a 4.

Normally not my thing, but this one was well done commemorating veterans. It had three levels and…read morehonored fallen soldiers with a crypt, a memorial space, and the museum. Entrance is a little tricky because this is a large pavilion. The visitor entrance is adjacent to the Royal botanic Gardens.

Federation Square is considered my many to be the civic and cultural heart of Melbourne, located…read moreat the intersection of Flinders and Swanston Streets. It is built on a massive deck over active railway lines and serves as a major hub for art galleries, museums, and public events. After hanging out here a couple times, I didn't think that the square itself was all that impressive. Rather, the cultural opportunities (NGV Australia or the Koorie Heritage Trust for example) around the square are well worth the time and effort. There's also lots of restaurants, the river, and other opportunities for enjoyment in the immediate area.

(Visited 12/16/24 MO @ 10:00am): I couldn't tell whether or not this space was a square, but it…read morecertainly was larger nonetheless! A friend and I were on Day 3 of our 12-Day Southern Australia Explorer cruise with Princess Cruises, we took the local train into town, and after a stop at St. Paul's Cathedral, we proceeded to Federation Square. Apparently, this was one of the noted places to visit for tourists, so we headed that way. Considered a gateway to the city's art precinct and a public square, it was the civic, cultural, and community heart of Melbourne. Additionally, it was home to Victoria's three major cultural institutions: Australia's Museum Of Screen Culture (ACMI), the Koorie Heritage Trust (KHT), and The Ian Potter Centre NGV Australia https://www.yelp.com/user_local_photos?userid=8jVT2inwc8GIQ6sH2UG9Vw&select=8P5_T0u1fojYo7LgE3IUjA for a full day of things to do. Since its opening in 2002, it has been a major event centre. In 2019, it was listed on the Victorian Heritage Register which made it the youngest building/structure in Australia to ever be recognized in this way. Was this square worth it as it was fed to us a tourist stop!? PURCHASE Towards the end of the day before we headed back to our ship, we did stop at an eatery located within Federation Square (Beer Deluxe) for some beer and snacks. There were other opportunities to spend money here, but this was it for us. Look for the review...! SERVICE Other than the apparent city workers who were cleaning in and around the area and the employees of the many varied businesses https://www.yelp.com/user_local_photos?userid=8jVT2inwc8GIQ6sH2UG9Vw&select=wCid_kDzw81xYuto-W2mAg throughout, that was about it - 'nuff said. PARKING (Varied; N/A this instance) There was an ample onsite parking lot at various rates ($8.00AUD - $64.00AUD) based on day, event, reason, and time. However, there appeared to be a decent amount of parking on all surrounding streets (please note any posted signs), and of course the wonderful public transportation such as the tram system which we conveniently took and then walked the rest of the way - 'nuff said. ATMOSPHERE, DÉCOR, AMBIENCE All at once a large open-air area with structures that housed eateries, museums, offices and more, there was nearly something for everyone. During this festive Christmas holiday, there was of course a Christmas tree decoration https://www.yelp.com/user_local_photos?userid=8jVT2inwc8GIQ6sH2UG9Vw&select=ydcf4W5kpfUoK3vPD8LApw prominently displayed visibly from the nearby streets. Obviously, there was plenty of natural lighting (the main square was outdoors after all) while hung outdoor stage and street electric lights filled in the rest. Generally speaking, I didn't see any TVs nor heard any background music unless you were in any of the other businesses or considered the outside street traffic. https://www.yelp.com/user_local_photos?userid=8jVT2inwc8GIQ6sH2UG9Vw&select=0VrAORus1dVnwx3MpMopOA ATTIRE Totally casual, so I would normally be in a t-shirt, boardshorts, and flip-flops. OVERALL Federation Square was a fine place to visit whether it was to experience some culture, dining, an event, or simply to hangout and people-watch, there were plenty of things to do. Frankly, I'd enjoy anything that happened outdoors. Getting here was a breeze, and if this wasn't your speed, at the very least it was a good meeting place. I found very good value based on the prices, service, and experience noted above (TOTAL paid experience was around $0.00AUD / $0.00USD BEFORE any discounts/tip). And, I was unaware whether or not they accepted my credit card of choice (for donations and givings)... AMEX! 4.0 STARS

A quaint cottage at Fitzroy garden. Visitors can enter at a…read morefee, and they have staff dressed in clothing styled back in the day. There are costumes that visitors can also try out for a photo opportunity.

It's well worth a visit. Set in the beautiful Fitzroy Gardens and now with a stunning Information…read morecentre and cafe located right next door, Cook's Cottage is a great place to learn about the European discovery of Australia. The small cottage and its garden are beautiful and the volunteers that dress up in costumes of the era are a great addition.

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.

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.

I love visiting the mansion. I try every couple years. I bring as many as I can that's never been…read more The restaurant/cafe is expensive. Probably better to take food and have a picnic. (YES ALLOWED). The grounds are impeccable. There's more than the mansion also. The back houses. The farm. There's a trail of art works. Amazing day out. 3 hours in house. 1hr out buildings. Art trail 45 mins. A small bus ride through grounds looking for birds and gliders 10mins. Was the background for The Pirate Movie. Rose Garden available during season rivals any on earth.

If you are looking for that "perfect" place to relax and enjoy your surroundings, Werribbe Park and…read moreMansion is that perfect destination - run by Parks Victoria. It is only 30 minutes from Melbourne by car, with plenty of free parking available and the best part is... entry to this magnificent Werribee Park Gardens and Victoria State Rose Garden is FREE. We strolled through the park and absorbed the well laid out landscape of roses in many colours and took time in smelling their fragrances. Plenty of places where you could sit down on their sculpted seats or pick a spot on their luscious green lawn - the area is huge to walk around that enables you to find a suitable piece of lawn to rest upon, under a shade of tree or sunlight - your choice. I even saw a family kicking the ball - a family-friendly place to visit. Many photo opportunities and then there is "The Mansion". You cannot miss the mansion because it truly is a mansion, it was built during the 19th Century (Victorian era) with Italianate architecture style. They do run tours there where you have the opportunity to see inside the Mansion and the history that goes with it, but we chose not to do it, we were quite happy enjoying the free views of 'The Mansion'. There is also a café located near the mansion where you could buy something to eat, have a cuppa or an ice-cream or why not bring along a picnic basket instead? And yes... they do have toilet facilities there as well. If you had a stressful day, smell the rose that would surely make you forget the past and an opportunity to recoup!