Melbourne, AU photo itinerary

[slm]

Hi Everyone, I will have 3 weekends + evenings (or possibly 2 weekends + evenings + 1 weekend in Sydney) while on a business trip to AU.

Any locals want to suggest a photo itinerary or where I should concentrate my time ? I'm not much of a street photographer, but I do like walking around the city photographing architecture/cityscapes and also landscape photography. I am bringing a compact kit Sony/Minolta Maxxum kit consisting of an A700, Maxxum 5, with 24,50, 35-70 and 70-210 lenses. Sounds like a lot, but Minolta lenses are quite small and light (but well built) for AF lenses. For film I was thinking to just bring a bunch of Tri-x.

I'm not much of a wildlife photography guy, but considering the unique fauna in AU, I wouldn't mind mixing some in (at least a Koala picture for my daughters). I think Philip Island would be worth it, yes ?

And finally, which beer do you recommend ? 🙂

Cheers
Steven

 

[peterm1]

I am from Adelaide Australia and get to Melbourne occasionally on business. Matter of fact I will be there this weekend. I like the place very much. Its got the feeling of being quite cultured - a little European in feel. (Whereas Sydney for example is more brash and American in feel. Not, as Jerry Seinfeld would say, that there is anything wrong with it!)

Here is a small folder of my Melbourne shots taken on my last trip on the streets and in and around the National Gallery.


http://www.flickr.com/photos/life_in_shadows/sets/72157624630391659/

Its a quite attractive and gracious city I find but not spectacular nor quite so photo-worthy as Sydney (especially around the Sydney harbour and the bridge.) As I say, the Gallery presents some good photo opps. Also if you are willing to try a little street work there can be good street shooting around Southbank - a restaurant and entertainment district on the Yarra river so there are lots of people and movement. There are also some pleasant and quirky little narrow laneways running at right angles off Collins (??) Street / Flinders Lane right in the city heart and these are packed with alfresco cafes and restaurants. Locals will direct you. I love these for an informal meal or shooting people being people. Inexpensive good food and lots of atmosphere.

http://www.theage.com.au/travel/activity/food-and-wine/in-the-shadows-20100212-nwtp.html

Lots of buildings to shoot around Collins Street (where some of my building photos in this set have been shot.) Like you I really enjoy shooting architecture. Others may be able to advise you better than me about photo opportunities out of the CBD.


On the beer subject it all depends on your preference. Victorian Bitter or Carlton Draught are the old style beers that you should still be able to find on tap in pubs. Both very old school Melbourne. (I prefer other more sophisticated beers these days but if you want to try classic Aussie beers of the old school then these are options. In a sense they are a glass of history although I am not sure a sophisticated palate will find much to rave about.) There are of course a squillion others to try these days - many bottled, including of course your usual imports. But as for local beer, I find that Boags is very nice (Tasmanian). Believe me its hard to go thirsty in Australia if you enjoy beer. I should say though that these days the typical middle class Aussie is just as likely to select a wine.

 

[Green_Blue]

If you like architecture/cityscapes there is plenty for you in Melbourne. I would suggest that you take the train into Flinders St Station which on it's own is quite a wonderful building. Opposite the station is Federation Square which when first built caused a bit of outcry but personally I find it very interesting architecturally, and right next to Fed Square is St Paul's Cathedral one of the best churches in the city. After you have gone around these main landmarks I would probably suggest going through some of the laneways which have plenty of street art/graffiti, although photographs of laneways are almost bordering on cliché nowadays. Once you have gone through some of the laneways you should check on some of the arcades the best probably being Block Arcade and Centre Place.


This is just a brief suggestion of what to do for a couple of hours in the city. Some more ideas can be found here
http://forums.whirlpool.net.au/forum-replies.cfm?t=1408905

I'm sure the other guys could give more suggestions on some wildlife photography I could only recommend Werribee Zoo mainly because it is open range zoo.

Anyway for the most important question I would recommend James Squire Golden Ale one of my favourites. Just avoid Victoria Bitter (VB) at all costs!

 

[Archiver]

As was mentioned before, the Southbank precinct is a great place to take photographs, day or night. The Yarra river runs along the sound end of the city, and is home to a riverside entertainment district as well as arts precinct.

http://www.street-directory.com.au/sd3/map.php?x=144.96769303334253&y=-37.82028264595134&l=14&mt=4

Head west along the river and you will go through restaurants, shops and the casino. Head south down the road from the bridge, and you will find the Arts Centre and the National Gallery of Victoria.


G7 - Arts Centre by Archiver, on Flickr


DP1 - Art Deco by Archiver, on Flickr

The city itself is ablaze at night, and you'll be able to take wonderful photos of all manner of things.


GRD III - Halls of Riches by Archiver, on Flickr

The city has a vibrant Chinatown in Little Bourke Street,


DP1 - The Gates of Chinatown by Archiver, on Flickr

and there are endless arcades to wander through, often with fascinatingly old architecture.


DP2 - Cathedral Arcade by Archiver, on Flickr


GRD III - Drawn In by Archiver, on Flickr

Just go to the City. Start walking. Take photos. It's all good.

 

[slm]

Everyone, thank you very much for the info, that gives me a good start, and the pictures are great inspiration - hope I can do as well as you have.

I did read on the forums linked above to avoid King Street - is this a dodgy area ?

Cheers
Steven

 

[Leigh Youdale]

I did read on the forums linked above to avoid King Street - is this a dodgy area ?

Only late at night. It's the nightclub area and has had periodic problems with louts and drunken violence. Frankly, there's not much else there to attract, even in daytime, but it's just off one of the main south-north streets (Melbourne is laid out in a grid, unlike Sydney).

For local fauna there's a very good sanctuary at Healesville, but it's a bit out of town and would probably take a whole day. Nice scenery though. Also nice scenery in the Dandenong Hills (NOT the township of Dandenong) which lie to the east of the city.

In Sydney the real jewel is the Harbour and foreshores. There's a very good zoo, accessible by ferry from the terminal at the foot of the CBD and lots of nice views of the Bridge and Opera House to be had. There's a historic (and quite touristy) precinct close by the ferry terminal called "The Rocks", the Botanical Gardens run down to the waterfront on the eastern side of the Opera House and although it's not cheap it's quite an experience to join a climb of the Harbour Bridge. You just can't take a camera or anything that can drop on the cars below! They give you a one piece overall to wear and a good safety briefing. You'll need to book ahead.
There are buses and trains and I think the combined day ticket deal allowing unlimited access to all three modes of transport is still on - it used to cost about $25. Bear in mind our dollar is trading at a 5% premium to the USD at present so things won't seem cheap, especially to a Canuck.

Oh - beer. Well, in Sydney the brew made by James Squire is rather nice.

 

[peterm1]

Some shots from my Melbourne weekend. All shot with an M8 and the Voigtlander 75mm f1.8. Great cafe culture.

 

[peterm1]

A couple more from Melbourne

Street scenes this time

 

[peterm1]

Another couple of colour shots of Melbourne - just for fun. I have to admit there is something about this city I like. It's certainly very picturesque

 

[Paolo Bonello]

In The Dandenongs there's a place called the William Ricketts Sanctuary. Amazing kiln fired sculptures of Aboriginal figures almost life size in a forest sanctuary. Worth a day trip. about an hour from the city. there's also a scenic steam railway nearby.


BTW: very nice shots Peterm1. Some gems in that lot you posted.

 

[Spyro]

Southbank

GPO

National Gallery Victoria

Melbourne Museum

City circle tram

Fed Square

Flinders St Station

Myer

 

[Spyro]

Town Hall

Swanston St

StKilda beach

South Yarra (I think)

Melbourne central station

Craig's hut

See if you can make your way to Wilson's prom, awesome sunsets

Fauna... my back yard 😀

Beer? Its all good 🙂

 

[Sarcophilus Harrisii]

Peter, as always, some great images in that lot.

Although I have never been there myself, I think Leigh's suggestion of a visit to Healesville Sanctuary sounds great if you want to see some fauna. They have some interactive programs available such as being a keeper for a morning, which should give you closer interaction, and hopefully, better photo ops than an ordinary visitor. Also many parks or sanctuaries will not include the platypus in their range of species they keep (although you should also be able to see platypus at close range, albeit through glass, at Melbourne Zoo). Australia does indeed have some unique fauna, the platypus, however is arguably the most amazing and unusual of them all. I'm a wildlife rescue volunteer, and have had my hands on various fauna from time to time (and see a lot of them around my home, too) but I still get a real buzz, whenever I see one.


If you like ales, you have to try some Coopers Sparkling Ale or Pale Ale from South Australia. Cascade and Boags in Tasmania both make some excellent lagers. Don't overlook Australian wines either.

It's a pity you're not getting to Tasmania, I'd be pleased to meet up with you and show you a little of Hobart. The little island south of the mainland many people don't include in their itinerary contains much of the best Australia has to offer. Next time maybe?

Regards,
Brett