We stayed with our friends Norah (ex-pat) & Max in Melbourne and they did us proud showing off their city to us. In many ways the city with its colonial architecture, civic buildings, Victorian market, trams, etc. has a very English feel to it. Much more so than Sydney.
As with many cities, the central railway station is at the hub of the busy life of Melbourne. Most of the main attractions including Federation Square, the Arts complex and Hosier Lane (nod to Banksey here!) are within a short walk of Flinders Street Station.
Interestingly, the exhibition on at the time at the NGV, "The Golden Age of China 1736 - 1795" seemed to be the cut down version of the 2005/6 exhibition "China: The Three Emperors 1662 -1795" at the RA, London. Why should Australians be limited to only one Emperor's treasures?
Hosier Lane is more than just a single back alley covered by graffiti, but a whole area. We only visited in the daytime, when it looked a bit dilapidated. Maybe it comes alive at night.
We had a fun evening in the now unused Melbourne Gaol being regaled with lots of spooky stories.
Some great forests & wineries surround Melbourne.
