SOVEREIGN HILL, at BALLARAT is about a 90 minute journey North West of Melbourne. It is one of those tourist attractions that I always take my visitors, as a living city from the1850-1890′s with mine, working shops and town etc. it will appeal if you have children in your group. There are a range of accommodations on site and if you do not wish to be totally immersed in the experience there is lots of choice nearby in Ballarat.
Sovereign Hill
I recommend staying for the sound and light show “Blood on the Southern Cross’ which is well worth the additional cost. If planning to see the sound and light show, try and book the first show before you leave Melbourne or once you arrive at Sovereign Hill. Staying on to catch the second show if they are running one can make the day a long one especially if travelling up and back in one day
Located adjacent to the Observatory Gate and Café, opposite the Shrine of Remembrance Visitor Centre on Birdwood Avenue, the Children’s Garden entrance is down a pathway with magical creatures shaped out of plants.
This fenced garden is a perfect place to let the kids explore and investigate a garden, getting their hands dirty as they find the hidden secrets.
The Meeting Place which has a water feature that sprays up out of the ground in summer, is a hoot of fun, dodging the water jets to cool down. It always seems to entice those who ‘s parents didn’t bring the spare set of shorts and a towel, which I recommend. A great spot to let them free whilst having some fun. You could even let your own inhibitions down and play dodge yourself!!
Fountain in the Children’s Garden
Nearby watch out for the sculpture by Louis Laumen of characters from the classic Australian children’s book by Norman Lindsay – The Magic Pudding. This is a great spot if you can weave you kids around the characters for a photo shoot.
From the oriental hut you’ll overlook the Wetland Area with Bamboo Forest behind and buried inside is a platform to climb which is often missed and a great spot to wave to seated adults on the other side of the garden.
The Rill is a gentle waterway that runs through the Garden which you will stumble across at some stage and if you are tackling the garden in a clockwise fashion, it will lead you to the plant tunnel. At the back of this section you’ll come to the shell of a burnt out tree stump. Be inquisitive with your kids and get inside, looking up you may be lucky to spot the resident possum if around having a siesta.
The Children’s Garden built with assistance from the Ian Potter Foundation is well worth a visit and is easy to while away an hour or more. It is perfect for combining with other close by attractions and one activity that provide balance for the younger family members in a days Melbourne sightseeing.
Onion Heads in the Children’s Garden – Raised Beds
What’s underneath the Onion Skin – other things to do nearby:
If you are visiting the Children’s Garden with kids, further along the path from it’s entrance, inside the Royal Botanical Gardens [RBG] there are three other things which may add to your visit. This will be of course dependent on energy, age and interest of those with you.
First you’ll come across the Herb Garden and a great spot to extend the play and learning in the raised garden beds in the Children’s Garden. Further down the lawns you’ll see the ornamental lake, a great spot to see ducks, water fowl and Australia’s Black Swan and if you choose to walk through the fern gully on the way, look up and you may see fruit bats hanging in the tree tops. Thirdly there is Guilfoyle’s Volcano – the rebuilt reservoir, built with arid plants, rock and scoria has a great spiral walkway, this would have appeal to those a little older.
Food: The Observatory Gate and Café is metres from this garden entrance a great spot to purchase a coffee or an ice cream. Alternatively there is a lawn area to share your picnic if you have brought one or let the kids run and let off some steam.
Inside the RBG overlooking the Ornamental Lake is located another café which has a more adult vibe, but great for a Devonshire tea.
Suburb/Neighbourhood: MELBOURNE [5 minutes from South Melbourne Homestay]
How to get there: Melway reference – Map 2F K12
By Car: Parking around the Tan, there are a range of two and four hour parking spots or weekend s on St Kilda Road By Tram: St Kilda Road and Dorcas Street – stop number 19 walk up through the Shrine of Remembrance forecourt and past the Vietnam War Memorial. St Kilda Road and Coventry Street – stop number 18 walk past the Shrine of Remembrance Boulevard to the roundabout and right along Birdwood Avenue. This is a gradual flatter approach but a little further to walk but easier managing a stroller and children or if steps might be a difficulty. The Domain Road intersection Terminus– walk from the rear of the Shrine reserve to Birdwood Avenue. By City Explorer Bus: – Free tourist shuttle, get off at stop 13 for the Shrine and Royal Botanical Gardens. Walk further along the road in the direction that the bus travels to the Observatory Gate and entrance to the Children’s Garden.
If you arriving at the airport and don’t have a buddy with a friendly smiling face ready to whisk you away at the end of your flight. Here are some alternative transport options from Melbourne – Tullamarine Airport to Melbourne CBD with approximate costs as at October 2016.
SKYBUS BUS
A great regular service to the CBD, the Skybus operates between the Airport and Southern Cross Railway Station, costing $18.00 one way or $30.00 return per person. This part of the journey takes about 30 mins.
Skybus has a free connecting shuttle bus which drops off at hotels at the door. If staying at a private residence the suggestion is to find a nearby hotel address and walk the short distance.
If your final destination is not in the CBD, the Southern Cross Railway Station is adjacent if you need a rail connection or outside, connect to a tram along the concourse.
STARBUS
Starbus is another bus service, the advantage is that it is a door to door and operates from outside the International Terminal. The limitation is the first departure from the airport is 06:00 to the last 18.00 hours. From the city it is 05:00 to 19:00 hours.We are located in the zone 1 with the fare being $18 one way and $30 return. Further details and FAQ’s are on the website
We recommend making a booking through the website or they can be called on +613-8378-8700 once you have collected your luggage and they will give directions to your shuttle. Usually across the road in the centre lane to pick up the service and remember to turn your mobile on.
TAXI
The journey from the airport in non peak hour traffic to Melbourne CBD and fringes, will take about 20-30 minutes, door to door by taxi at a cost of $50-60 approximately dependant on your location. All public taxi cabs are yellow which are monitored for service. There are a range of limousine services on offer if that is your thing and within budget. Like most cities there other drivers touting for your business and my advice is be discerning or stick to the yellow cabs.
CAR HIRE
All the usual car hire companies can be found located at the Melbourne Airport with most having their vehicle pick up point literally across the road in the car park located outside the terminal door.
If travelling into the city the main freeway – ‘Citylink‘ is a toll road and a Citylink Pass needs to be purchased. As in in some other countries there are no toll booths to pay your fee at the start of the freeway. Be aware that if travelling extensively by car tolls do apply on a couple of other freeways. Toll passes an be purchased ahead from Citylink.
METLINK
Melbourne’s public tram, train and bus system has extensive coverage across metropolitan Melbourne, that is except to Melbourne Airport.
There are two zones which will inform you fare, with the Melbourne CBD grid being a Free Tram Zone. This is really useful if staying in the CBD and connecting with Skybus.
METLINK prices are are based on a two hour journey or at a maximum there is an all day fare rate. You will need a MYKI ticket to commence your journey and the electronic ticket needs to be purchased prior to commencing your journey and loaded with money to get you started. These are available from a railway station, 7-Eleven, newsagent or other retail outlet.
Tickets for a two hour journey start at $3.80 full fare, for most destinations within a 5-6Km radius.
AVALON AIRPORT IS Melbourne’s second airport catering for domestic travellers using the two lost cost airlines operating out of it. The airport is 60Kms form the city, making transport difficult even if your airfare is cheaper.
WINTER ON THE TAN TRACK
What a great place to be at lunchtime to eat your sandwich or early evening between 5.00 – 7.30pm, just to watch the slip stream of walkers, joggers and runners or perhaps as you cross the track to enter the Botanical Gardens .
If you’re on the way to an event or one of the other attractions in the area, whether it be a game at AAMI Park Stadium to see Melbourne Storm Rugby League or to the MCG [Melbourne Cricket Ground] for Aussie rules football, you’ll inevitably find yourself walking around part of the track as well.
However, most are users including the 3.8km track length in one circuit of their daily exercise ritual – but it is OK just to go for a stroll!! The tan is a lush tree lined perimeter to the Botanical Gardens and at times also borders the Yarra River. In early evening you might smell the scent and waft of ginger flowers coming across the fence on the Alexander Avenue stretch – M’mmmm glorious. You’ll find people there at all times of the day and I have colleague who joins her running group before dawn to prepare for their next half or full marathon together.
The track made up from sand and crushed rock, has lighting all the way. Although the last phase of an upgrade to the track and lighting is just being completed on the southern side and still requires a little fine tuning.
Whether you are running or walking most people tend to go around the track clockwise and I suspect this is to take advantage of the short but steep hill climb on the Anderson Street side doing their fartlek exercise on the straight. If walking, as I do, my suggestion is to walk anti-clockwise. That way it’s easier to keep left and see the rest of the world as they slip by.
What’s underneath the Onion Skin – other things nearby:
Butting up close to the track are numerous attractions too many to name. A few include AAMI Park the home of Melbourne Storm, Melbourne Rebels and Melbourne Victory. Flinders Park the home to the Australian Tennis Open. Melbourne Olympic Park one of the athletics tracks for the 1956 Melbourne Olympic games.
A mix of Melbourne Rowing Clubs on the Yarra River, along the banks of which are several inbuilt BBQ’s and tables available for use, free of charge.
Government House, home of the Victorian Governor General and the Sidney Myer Music Bowl where the annual Carols by Candlelight are performed and over the summer months several free orchestral concerts by MSO and other performers.
Suburb/Neighbourhood: MELBOURNE CBD, SOUTHBANK, SOUTH MELBOURNE, RICHMOND & SOUTH YARRA [5 minutes from South Melbourne Homestay]
Food:
On this walk [run] there are several water fountains drink stations on the track, or you may like to continue you walk [run] along to Southgate to pick up a refreshing drink from Boost Juice.
How to get there: Melway reference – Map 2F J9
By Car: Parking around the Tan, there are a range of two and four hour parking spots or weekend s on St Kilda Road By Tram: Any tram along St Kilda Road except a number one, which turns off to South Melbourne.
There are a couple of ways to access the Shrine of Remembrance, the one I like the best if not walking is to travel by tram and get off at stop 19 – St Kilda Road and Dorcas Street. If arriving from the city, when alighting the tram you’ll notice the reserve with the Shrine sitting at the top of the grassy mound to your left.
Walk up the steps [about 20]and you’ll find yourself on the forecourt. Whether you have arrived on foot or by transport this a great spot to start your walk around the Shrine and reserve, with vistas to your left that you hadn’t expected and the eternal flame adjacent. In the distance, past the walk up to the forecourt blends the street cutting through the centre of the city. The building at that end of the streetscape forms what seems like another book ends with this impressive memorial. The forecourt is flanked by trees standing like sentinels and it’s not too hard to imagine the rank and file men or women having served their country as they parade and march up to the foot of the steps on
The Shrine of Remembrance
ANZAC day or one of the other 120 ceremonies held at the Shrine annually.
Looking to the right, let your eyes follow the steps up two or three levels to rest on the Shrine at the top of the steps. This impressive building stands tall and scanning your eyes up the structure you’ll notice that there are two levels on the outside which you can gain access to from the inside. The outside levels are a great place to capture the vista to the other side of the city on camera. You’ll even sneak a peak through the buildings to Port Philip bay or across to Albert Park and the lake.
Originally built to remember those lost in the Great war of 1914 -1918, the Shrine is now the focal point for those days on the calendar where the men and women are remembered and honoured having lost their life in active service. You’ll see evidence of this if you look around the reserve at the foot of the trees that have been planted or one of the small sculptures and fountains dotted around in memory, each with a plaques commemorating a specific event.
On this occasion I am not sure if a significant day, we heard the sound of the last post ring out across the evening air, but the bugler was not in sight!! Having visited on other occasions I recommend the visitor centre , inside the entrance a featured wall of poppies and occurring on the hour in the main chamber, a short ceremony with light is performed.
Poppies-Shrine of Remembrance
It is easy for 60-120 minutes at disappear at the Shrine and reserve, depending on your interest. My partner always say the Americans do monuments well and the place to see the best is in Washington, DC., although I enjoy Washington. I think this little pocket of the Kings Domain which the Shrine of Remembrance is very special place.
We pass through the reserve several times a week on one of our many walks around “the Tan“, the track around the Botanical Gardens popular with runners, walkers or sightseers at lunchtime or from around 5.00 pm each day. Check out ‘What’s underneath the Onion Skin’ below for other options to add to your adventure, literally across the road and minutes away.
What’s underneath the Onion Skin – other things to do nearby:
The Royal Botanical Gardens [RBG], incorporates the Children’s Garden a favourite to take my godson, the Guilfoyle’s Volcano – the rebuilt resevoir, Herb Garden and adjacent Camelia Walk. If gardens are your thing and you have the time for an expedition by car, 90 minutes is another campus of the RBG and the Australian Garden in Cranbourne.
Dotted around the perimeter of the gardens are The National Herbarium, The Observatory Gate and Café , Government House and the Historic Places Trust property – La Trobe Cottage.
Food:
On this walk there are Coffee Shops in abundance, just a little tucked away. Across the road from the Shrine is the Observatory Gate Café, inside the gardens overlooking the Ornamental Lake is located another café. Alternatively outside one the gates on the Domain Road and Anderson Street intersection is a row of more gourmet offerings.
Suburb/Neighbourhood: MELBOURNE [5 minutes from South Melbourne Homestay]
How to get there: Melway reference – Map 2F J12
By Car: Parking around the Tan, there are a range of two and four hour parking spots or weekend s on St Kilda Road
By Tram:
St Kilda Road and Dorcas Street – stop number 19 Shrine of Remembrance, Vietnam War Memorial.
St Kilda Road and Coventry Street – stop number 18 is a gradual flatter approach but a little further to walk but easier managing a stroller and children or if steps might be a difficulty.
The Domain Road intersection Terminus– walk from the rear of the reserve to the site.
