The National Gallery of Victoria is so full of art, it needed two campuses in Melbourne to house it all.
Tag: Victoria travel
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See Art for Free at National Gallery of Victoria
The NGV International and its sister site, the Ian Potter Centre, are home to a stunning array of international and Australian pieces. The National Gallery of Victoria on St Kilda Road opened with a modest collection in 1968. Today it's doubled in size and been rechristened NGV International. The new moniker reflects its focus on art from around the globe. There are more than 60, 000 pieces from artists in America, Europe, Asia, and Oceania, making NGV International's collection arguably the largest assortment of international art in Australia. Stroll across the Princess Bridge and you'll reach Federation Square and the Ian Potter Center. It was named after the late Sir Ian Potter, a prominent Melbourne businessman and long time supporter of the arts. It's thought that the site is the world's first major gallery exclusively celebrating Australia's contribution to the global art scene. Indigenous art from William Barak and Emily Kngwarreye, colonial pieces from Frederick McCubbin and Tom Roberts, and modern works from Sidney Nolan, Arthur Boyd, and John Perceval are amongst more than 20, 000 Australian artworks housed here. Admission to The National Gallery of Victoria is free, although some additional charges may apply for traveling exhibitions. The campuses open daily from 10 am to 5 pm, although NGV International closes on Mondays, and the Ian Potter Center closes on Tuesdays. Both sites are closed on Christmas Day and Good Friday, and open from 1 pm on Anzac Day. -
Dine in Style at Melbourne’s Colonial Tramcar Restaurant
Melbourne’s trams are the backbone of the Victorian capital, a unique public transport system which ferries locals and travelers to the main streets and tourist sites in Melbourne’s inner city and the suburbs. But these cable cars don’t just move people about; they also provide an unusual dining opportunity at the Colonial Tramcar Restaurant.
This quirky restaurant delivers a moving meal in more ways than one. It departs several times daily from the #125 tramstop on Normandy Road and travels around the city and suburbs as diners enjoy their meals. From $77 diners can enjoy between three and five courses, depending on the time of day they travel, and beverages from the restaurant’s fully stocked bar.
A set menu of local gourmet cuisine is offered on each journey, including Tasmanian ocean trout, seared kangaroo loin, and Victorian farmed beef fillets. The delicious food, all-inclusive drinks package, and unique atmosphere help to justify the high costs of an evening on the Colonial Tramcar Restaurant. It’s certainly not an everyday dining option, but it would be a great way for tourists to see the city, or locals to celebrate a special event.
A meal on the Colonial Tramcar Restaurant is a fun way to experience Melbourne’s public transport history while enjoying fine contemporary cuisine.
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Eco-Friendly Indulgence in Daylesford – Green Romance at Frog Hollow Estate
For a romantic Aussie getaway that won’t hurt the planet, consider a stay at Frog Hollow Estate in the Victorian country town of Daylesford.
The former gold mining town, located 115 kilometers north west of Melbourne, is becoming a popular destination for tourists looking to enjoy life at a slower pace.
The streets are lined with fine dining restaurants and cafes, and the stores full of original fashions and quirky homewares. You can indulge in a mineral bath or spa at the local retreats, or a few choice drops in the nearby Macedon Ranges and Sunbury wine regions. That is, of course, if you want to venture out of Frog Hollow. This eco-friendly estate was once a stone and timber workshop, but today it enjoys spoiling its guests without harming the planet. The hot showers use collected rain water, and the appliances and eco-friendly lights green power. All villas are equipped with a corner spa for luxuriating with your love, a cosy gas or wood fire for snuggling up at the end of the night, and air conditioning for the summer. With all this romance in the air, it's unsurprising that the folks at Frog Hollow Estate love a wedding. The staff will happily take care of the arrangements, including accommodation for your guests, leaving you free to attend to more important matters. You might even like to return to reminisce on your first anniversary! Accommodation at Frog Hollow Estate in Daylesford starts from $250 a night and includes a gourmet hamper, featuring the best local produce, on arrival. -
Drive Down The Great Ocean Road in Victoria, One of Australia’s Natural Wonders
If you want to enjoy a driving vacation in Australia, there’s no better stretch of coastline to explore than the Great Ocean Road. The Victorian passage stretches from Geelong to Warnambool.
This scenic road is actually the world’s largest war memorial. It took diggers 16 years to build the 241-kilometer road in memory of their fallen comrades. There was no modern technology at that time, with the serviceman relying on picks, shovels, dynamite and sheer will to achieve the feat.
The Twelve Apostles, one of the highlights on The Great Ocean Road The winding road passes 25 beaches, 13 waterfalls, several shipwrecks, eight lighthouses, and many charming small towns. These attractions help drivers break up their journey, with opportunities to stretch one’s legs, take a dip, and enjoy coffee and cake at a roadside café.
Don’t miss the Great Ocean Walk, a 91-kilometer bush walking trail through the Great Otway and Port Campbell National Parks. There is stunning coastal scenery, sheltered beaches, and heathland, and an abundance of local wildlife. Keep your eyes peeled for kangaroos, echidnas, koalas, wallabies, and several native species of bird life.
Port Campbell National Park’s great feature is The Twelve Apostles, a collection of imposing limestone stacks which rise dramatically from the Great Southern Ocean. The waves have seen several of the Apostles collapse, but those remaining are no less impressive.
The Apostles are best seen at sunrise and sunset, when their colors change from dark in shadow to brilliant yellow against the sun. The road from Moonlight Head to Port Fairy is nicknamed The Shipwreck Coast after the many ships which came to grief negotiating the brutal Bass Strait. Road signs and plaques detail the history of around 50 boats that met tragic ends. The Great Ocean Road is best experienced in short bursts, so it's worth exploring accommodation in the area. For something unusual, it's hard to beat the aptly named Pole House in Fairhaven or the historic Cape Otway Lighthouse cottage. Port Fairy also has several B&Bs, while the beachfront accommodation options of Lorne and Apollo Bay are ideal for couples looking for luxury.