Melbourne City Walk

 

The day begins with a visit to Old Melbourne Gaol. As I wander around this forbidding bluestone prison, I squeeze into the tiny bleak cells to learn more about the life of Ned Kelly and other inmates. As I am about to leave, I am escorted to the Police Watch House where I am arrested and thrown in the slammer! It is all good fun ;-)

After negotiating my early release for good behaviour, I wander down the hill to meet under the clocks. The beautiful building of Flinders Street Station stretches along the Yarra and is in the heart of the city.

With my hangover wearing off and with hunger kicking in, I drop into Supernormal for the famous New England Lobster Roll. I had five of them and would happily travel half way around the World to eat the culinary delights again.

Central Melbourne is a warren of arcades and cobbled laneways. Fully satiated, I start to explore. First up, the funky street art lining Central Place, then I stumble into the wonderfully ornate Royal Arcade. On the hour the mythological figures of giant brothers Gog and Magog strike the hour, something they have been doing since 1892. I find more intriguing street art on Union Lane before ducking into the 1932 Manchester Unity Building to snoop around its impressive foyer. After a bit of aimless wandering, I soak up more street art in Duckboard Place. Finally, I head to the street-art meccas of Hosier Lane and Rutledge Lane which is sadly teeming with tourists, so I move on to Federation Square.

Far from square, the undulating and patterned forecourt is surrounded by buildings covered in a fractal-patterned reptilian skin. One of which is the cultural heavyweight of the Ian Potter Centre. Set over three levels, the gallery showcases an extraordinary collection of Australian works. With my intrigue piqued, I wander across the Yarra to find more works of art housed in the beautiful bunkerlike building of the international branch of the National Gallery of Victoria.

Wearily I head back to my bed, but first I take advantage of the small queue outside Hakata Gensuke to restock my reserves. Hakata Gensuke is one of those places that only does one thing and does it extraordinarily well. As I slurp down my Tonkotsu Ramen (pork broth noodle soup), I feel the life surging back into my tired body...