The Melbourne Identity

I was recently lucky enough to visit the wonderful city of Melbourne, Victoria.

[Street View past Town Hall to St. Paul's Cathedral]

Melbourne is a major metropolis and any visitor to the central district can be in no doubt as to it's modern commercial credentials. Major office towers dominate the central skyline. Yet it also offers so much more.

[Central Melbourne on the Yarra River]

Glass and steel are interspersed within a city that has retained much of its historical and largely Victorian heritage. The combining of old and new architecture can be dramatic, but for the most part it provides for a fascinating and unique environment. No greater example can be seen than in the great Coops Shot tower - built 1890 - around which a vast and hyper-modern arcade has been built, right in the centre of town.

[The Coops 'Shot' Tower - Encased in Steel and Glass]

Indeed, Victorian and Edwardian buildings punctuate the city in great numbers, lending a sense of depth and history; a dimension that is not always present in some of Australia's other urban centres.

[Flinders Street Train Station - Central Melbourne]

Straddling both banks of the lazy Yarra river, an abundance of mature trees, formal parks and lakes also surround Melbourne's central district and provide for a further sense of heritage, class and calm.

[Street Sculpture]

A fantastic tram network - utilising modern and antique trams - provides easy and stylish transport around city. The sound of steel on steel and the ringing of cheery stop-bells, adds intrinsically to the wider noises of the city.

[One of Many Working Antique Trams - c.1930's]

Just out form the commercial centre, lies a diverse array of quirky districts such as the very laid-back Carlton with its famous Lygon Street; boasting more Italian trattorias and cafes than I have seen anywhere - even in Italy itself!

Nearby is Fitzroy, with its cool and very grungy mix of eclectic and alternative fashion shops. The names and styles of these crumbling Edwardian fronted businesses has to be seen to be believed. A walk down the districts famous Smith Street is an exciting experience for the senses.

[A Great Name for a Shop - Fitzroy]

But perhaps my favourite suburb, was the distinctive seaside district of St Kilda; very much reminding me of a close alternative to my own Portobello in Edinburgh.

[Typical St Kilda Architecture]

With extended promenade and beach, St Kilda's grand yet shabby buildings and distinctive local 'characters', really reminded me of my own home.

[St Kilda - Pier House]

All in all, Melbourne was a great city to visit and one that I hope to visit again in the future. The Emperor was pleased with his visit.