Places to go in and around Melbourne

[pixelatedscraps]

Am heading to Melbourne tomorrow after a long absence since leaving university (Monash) 9 years ago. Suffice to say, I can't remember anything about where to go, eat, shoot or shop.

Am bringing my M4 with 35/2.8 Summaron and an XA4 with it's 28/3.5 lens so there will be a lot of wide angle or extreme close up street shooting. Any suggestions?

My girlfriend and I are also big foodies, for want of a better word, and are on the lookout for some good dining options, be it a bowl of pho or a fine dining Aussie meal.

We also love shopping and finding old vintagey things or local fashion designers.

Looking forward to hearing from any local Aussies or anyone familiar with the city!

Cheers 🙂

 

[peterm1]

There was a bit of a thread on Melbourne recently

http://www.rangefinderforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=104526

I was there 2 weeks ago - here's a link to some of my Melbourne shots on Flickr

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

Have a look at the thread and my photos - it may give some ideas for photography. Street shooting in Melbourne is great - the city is always buzzing.

If you are foodies then Melbourne is the right place. I stayed in Rydges Hotel on Exhibition Street which was convenient as its just around the corner from Chinatown (actually a mix of all things Asian to eat) where I had some great Maylasian food and a short walk to Lygon Street which is renowned for its Italian food. Its also near many upmarket restaurants too.

Speaking of which for more upmarket food you could try Southbank - a few good restaurants there. Also I tried one of Guy Grossi's restaraurants Grossi Florentino at 80 Bourke Street. That was quite good (small serves though). Not far away is Italy 1 just off Collins Street. Photo here.


P1000498aJPG by yoyomaoz, on Flickr

I think this used to be Jamie Olivers' 15 Restaurant. ( I seem to recall it being in this alley when last in Melbourne about 9 months ago - I could be wrong though and mayb its the one next door - I seem to recall reading it was changing hands.)

Many others nearby and I love Melbourne's little alleyways with their many bistros located down near and parallel to Elizabeth Street in between the Bourke Street Mall and Flinders Lane / Flinders Street. You will get some good photos here too with your wide angle lens as its pretty tight shooting conditions (alos a bit dark some times so make sure you have some fast film if you are not shooting digital).

Also take a wander around the top end of Bourke Street and nearby Collins Street - really quite picturesque with a nice mix of old historic buildings, shiny new office towers and old warehouses that soemtimes have not been much restored and sometimes have been remade into restaurants etc. You will find both some restaurants and fashion stores around this precinct. (I only bought a few shirts and cuff links for work but as Melbourne is historically the centre of Australia's rag trade it still has many buying options.

And if you really do like shopping, Bridge Road Richmond (not far from the city by tram ) is known for its factory outlet fashion stores where you can pick up good fashion bargains. Of course there is a lot in the CBD too but you tend to pay a bit more.

 

[pixelatedscraps]

Thanks for the suggestions. I had a wander around the exact same areas you mentioned as I'm staying in the Marriott right round the corner.

Completely different to how I remember it as a uni student in 2002. I was staying in the suburbs and my view of Melbourne was boring suburbia and drum & bass clubs!

Anyway, not much Internet credit left (they're not generous with their free wifi hotspots in this country, are they?). River cruise, farmers market, a wedding tomorrow and then I'll see if there is time for a quick trip to ant of the vineyards around Melbourne.

Cheers

 

[john341]

In Melbourne

In Melbourne

Greatest place to wander about. Wide angle around Fed Square and the station, out to Brunswick St for a wander and excellent foto opportunities (stop for food at the Rose Hotel a couple of blocks toward Smith St (also v interesting). Haskins Hotel on Rae St also nice and relaxing. Jump on train out to Preston, or on a tram out along the Sydney Road (jump off anywhere for fotos) and middle-eastern snacks to die for. Thats day one. Happy days! 🙂

 

[mugent]

I don't live in Oz (one day soon I hope), but visited Melbourne on a couple of occasions, I think the Victoria Market is very good for people shots, and Southbank is good for food.

MT