Flinders Street – The Hidden Panorama

White Night is a native event from Paris and was adapted by Melbourne last 2013. I was already in Melbourne when the first event happened in the city but at that time I was still new in the city I was not fully aware of the event. When I returned to Melbourne for my 3rd work assignment last February 2014, I saw ads and commercials in the streets about White Night and I wanted to attend the event.

At Princess Bridge in St Kilda Road near Flinders Street Station

White Night is a combination of cultural activities which not only limits in music, dance, exhibitions, performance creativeness but also showcases light shows and other interactive activities. But as I see it, one of the main feature and exciting part of the event is the spectacular light shows which held in different, famous and historical buildings within the city.

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Flinders Street Station

When I arrived in Melbourne CBD, I was surprised as I never expected too many people in the streets. There were almost no free space to move around. I started to walk from Flinders Street corner Russell Street, then I tried to reach Federation Square and Flinders Street Station so I can had a grasp about Swanston Street look like. And to be honest, I don’t know how I will be able to walk in Swanston Street because of jam pack of people. When I saw the crowd it was a discovery for me that the event make people go out and just have fun for the night. I understand why people went crazy of going out in the event, one of the reason was it only happens one night for the entire year.

Flinders Street

I was aware that the event was straight 12 hours where different events are happening and the whole schedule were published in White Night Melbourne website. Even though the event has its full of activities, I only have an hour or two stay to witness the celebration. One of the things that I enjoyed that night was the light shows along Flinders Street where I watched the shows from famous Flinders Street Station up to the corner of Russell Street. I was amazed and stunned because the buildings transformed into a white sheet used by cinema where films were played. Vivid and colorful lights made the building so amazing and I wondered how the lights made such a great show.

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Notes:

1. Plan to visit Melbourne CBD during White Night event ?

To attend White Night Melbourne event, please visit their official website here for the latest updates.

2. Public Transportation Ticket – Use Myki (Melbourne Ticketing System), please check here for more details.

3. Directions

Using tram

Use tramTracker Apps or even just Google Maps (use directions) and there are tram routes available

Using train

Visit the official Public Transport Victoria website to be able to use the Journey Planner for the next train schedule.

Ride from any station and get off at Flinders Street Station

From Flinders Street Station, get off either St Kilda Road Exit or Flinders Street Exit.

There were lots of walking tours available that I found when I went to Melbourne Visitor Center at Federation Square located across Flinders Street Station (train station) in Swanton Street. Some walking tours are group walking tours that has affordable fees and some are free on your own. At that time I was eager to walk around the city on my own to take my time while taking pictures that was why I took some brochures for free walking tours.

Flinders Street / Federation Square Tram Stop

The first walk that I did with my camera was happened last March 6, 2013 which was almost a month after I arrived in Melbourne and I chose the route entitled “Melbourne Walks 3: On the Waterfront”. In the brochure, there is an excerpt description which is about Spectacular bridges, Indigenous history, sculptures, Southbank Promenade, the Melbourne Aquarium and the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre feature on this walk of discovery along north and south banks of the Yarra River.

The scenery with the river and surrounding city skyline is one of the picturesque views that I am interested, it reminds me the city of Edmonton in Canada where there is a beautiful Saskatchewan river beside it. The view of the city skyline of Melbourne from Yarra River was amazing and that’s what I was trying to capture in my camera while walking the river side of Yarra River.

Walking track starts from Federation Square in Swanston Street but I did not follow the route as is, I actually started taking photos at Webb Bridge which is the farthest point to reach in the tour. The overall walk moves around between the two sides of Yarra River. Here I saw Mebourne CBD with the river at different angle and different perspective of the city came to light.

The other end of the Webb Bridge is like a snake shape where there are open shades covering it. The said bridge are only enjoys by pedestrians and cyclists, it links Southbank Promenade at Yarra’s Edge and the Docklands. From Southbank Promenade at Yarra’s Edge or Yarra Esplanade, I got a snapshot of Dockland side where ANZ head office is located and the surrounding docking area nearby.

Webb Bridge

Marina YE near at Yarra’s Edge
and ANZ office behind

Southbank Promenade at Yarra’s Edge (or Yarra Esplanade)

Webb Bridge, Charles Grimes Bridge (at the back of Web Bridge) and
Southbank Promenade at Yarra’s Edge (right side)

Southbank Promenade at Yarra’s Edge (or Yarra Esplanade)

I moved on, looked around and skimmed again the map that I was holding to see what’s next to discover. Since I was walking at the side of Southbank Promenade, I had a view of Dockland. My walk continues and I passed the underground of Charles Grimes Bridge, then SouthWharf where DFO (Direct Factory Outlet) mall is, with some bar and restaurants outside. I walked along South Wharf Promenade until I saw Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre. I passed the nearby Seafarer’s Bridge which is another walking bridge like Webb Bridge that will take people in the Docklands or CBD.

Yarra River at Southbank Promenade near at DFO

Charles Grimes Bridge at Yarra River and the Docklands at the end of it

South Wharf Promenade

Side Entrance of DFO

Bar / Restaurant at South Wharf Promenade

Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre

Seafarers Bridge

Some photos at South Wharf Promenade

In my walk I did not missed historical Polly Woodside Tall Ship which is located in historical Duke and Orrs docks which was the ships home during its early days in South Wharf. I crossed the busy Spencer Street and I saw Crown Entertainment Complex. The front of the complex is called Yarra Promenade, where a lot of people are passing by, the place is really nice because of its relaxing ambiance, beautiful view of river and line of trees. While walking along the promenade I had a glimpse of Batman Park at the other side of the river.

Polly Woodside Tall Ship

World Trade Center Wharf, Crowne Plaza, Spencer Street (bridge),
Crown Entertainment Complex and Yarra River from South Wharf Promenade

Seafarers Bridge and Yarra River

Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre

Spencer Street bridge

Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre from Spencer Street bridge

Clarendon Street which connects to Spencer Street

Spencer Street

Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre

Batman Park at the other side of Yarra River with Rialto Twin Tower

Batman Park, Rialto Twin Tower, and Kingsway road bridge

Crowne Plaze and Spencer Street bridge

Melbourne Aquarium

Kingsway road bridge, Rialto Twin Tower and Melbourne Aquarium

Melbourne CBD skyline with Yarra River at Yarra Promenade

Spencer Street bridge from Yarra Promenade

I crossed under the Kingsway road, I had a glance of Melbourne Aquarium and Rialto Twin Tower. Next thing I saw after Batman Park is called Enterprize Park where I discovered from the brochure that the park is a site for ‘Scar Project’ where represents the “scar tree”. Based from the information printed, the First people of Australia which called Aboriginal people did took pieces of bark from some trees and called it as “scar tree”. Scare tree is a sign that you entered the land of another community. Learning this information is fascinating, I discovered something from my walk. In the same park, I saw from a far the art called Constellation but I not clear as it should be.

Some photos around Yarra Promenade

Eureka Tower

Mario playing his guitar along Yarra Promenade

I passed another bridge named as Queens Bridge, it is similar to Spencer Street with tram track and both busy with vehicles and trams. I saw historical Sandridge Railway Bridge, an old railway bridge from Flinders Street to Port Melbourne in late 19th century. I never walked anymore in the bridge at that time because I passed it few times. Along the bridge are arts display and I got to know that sculptures are called “The Travellers” which depicts different types of immigrants arrived by train from the pier station. Aside from the sculptures, I saw the list of countries of immigrants of Australia and found my country Philippines on the list.

Queens Bridge

Crown Entertainment Complex

After passing Queensbridge Street, I saw this nearby
(my walk was during Melbourne Food & Wine Festival)

Queens Bridge and Melbourne CBD

Sandridge Bridge after passing Queens Bridge

Sandrdige Bridge from Southbank Promenade

After passing Sandridge Railway Bridge, I continued my walk at Southbank Promenade until I saw Southbank Pedestrian Bridge. Here, I stroll along the bridge itself to be able to take pictures with another angle of the city skyline of Melbourne with Yarra River. The bridge has a bar and restaurant underneath called Ponyfish Island Cafe and from the same bridge I got a couple of photos of Flinders Street Railway Station, Southbank Promenade, Southgate (shopping centre), Hamer Hall and Princess Bridge where St Kilda and Swanston Street end meets.

Flinders Street Station (with clock) and Melbourne CBD

Flinders Street Station, Melbourne CBD and Southbank Pedestrian Bridge

Flinders Street Station from Southbank Promenade

Southbank Pedestrian Bridge and Ponyfish

Melbourne CBD skyline with Yarra River

Princes Bridge

Crossing Southbank Pedestrian Bridge

Flinders Street Station Clock

Flinders Walk

Southbank Promenade

Eureka Tower from Southbank Pedestrian Bridge

Southbank Promenade with Southgate Mall

Lastly, I walked at Flinders Walk where the famous Flinders Street station located. And from this location I was able to capture Eureka Tower near at Southbank Promenade.