Melbourne – Page 4 – The Hidden Panorama

National Rhododendron Garden and Grant Picnic Ground

It was almost a month after I returned to Melbourne last October 2014, it was my first day to really go out again to explore some places that I haven’t seen yet. The place we were targeting was somewhere near the city which was Dandenong Ranges National Park. On this trip, I discovered and learned that this National Park has a lot to offer to anyone.

As my friends got a map of the national park, when they were discussing places visit near the city, they selected a garden. At first I really don’t understand the name of the garden because I was somewhat unfamiliar with the term. The name of the garden became clear to me when we arrived at the place. The day we went out was still Spring season and since we were technically inside the mountain, it was really cold and it felt like it was winter.

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The name of the garden we visited is National Rhododendron Garden. I honestly not familiar with that flower family. I felt that I never heard it before or I forgot it from my secondary school years.

We had lunch first at the parking area as the garden does not have a facility such as picnic area where we can eat. After lunch, we went inside the National Rhododendron Garden through the store beside the closed main gate and stopped for a while to look around inside the store. In the store I found out what Rhododendron flower family look like. After spending sometime at the store I left my friends and took my chances to walk inside the garden. I remembered one funny thing happened to me inside the garden. At the time I was there and following the path walk, I was a fool looking around and taking photos using my DSLR and yet I never immediately noticed that I am taking photos without knowing that my camera does not have memory card. Yes, I was crazy taking photos without checking the screen of my camera after takings shots where some messages that my memory card slot was empty, because of the situation I never able to save all my shots. Since I already spent time walking in the garden, I was quite sensitive with the time and I knew that my friends were waiting at the store. I tried to return to the garden using my iPhone and all I was able to do was to have a couple of shots as my souvenir to the garden. Most of the memories of Rhododendron garden were all in my memory.

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–Some photos that I quickly captured with my iPhone before leaving the garden

I returned to the store and in few minutes we left the garden. When we were back on the road, my friends checked again the map of Dandenong Ranges and then they agreed to visit a picnic ground which became our next stop that day. We went at Grant Picnic Ground. I honestly had no idea what to expect in the place until we saw a lot of visitors looking around at the bird feeding area. Since we had limited time in the place as it will close at 5PM, my friends bought seeds so they can enter in the fenced feeding area and to have a moment with the birds such as Rosella, native and wild birds.

I let my friends feed the bird while I take in charge of photo shoot. There still birds in the feeding area but when my friends entered in the fenced area, birds started to flock together and slowly approached my friends as they saw the food/seeds. We started to laugh as we heard screaming. It was fun-filled sight as my mates felt a little bit nervous when birds were so close to them physically, some birds flew to their heads, some stepped on their arms or feet, birds comes wherever the food was. My friends were screaming as they felt the bird’s claws and its pointed toes. All of us were enjoying what we were seeing inside the feeding area.

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–Crimson Rosella

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–King Parrot (the one that I tried to chase with my camera as its colour is really striking)

Last thing I did was I went inside the souvenir shop just to look around and just check if I can find post cards that will leave memories of Grant Picnic Ground. Then after few more minutes had been passed, we decided to leave the place as it closed the feeding area and the shop since the business day is over for the day. This how we ended our adventure.

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–Cockatoo

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–Cockatoo

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–Cockatoo Flying

Name Of The Place : Flinders Street

Name Of The Place (Post#19) : Flinders Street

Flinders Street is one of the famous train station in Melbourne not only because of its history but because this is station that serves the entire metro train network as anyone can commute from this station to any station. And the location of the station is strategic as it is within the city center. When I captured this photo, it was during Melbourne Cup last November 2013. Recently, there was design competition happened to rejuvenate the historical and landmark station in Melbourne.

Chromatic Outlook : Shrine of Remembrance

Chromatic Outlook (Post#16) : Shrine of Remembrance

I used to see this building on my back and forth travel from work and to the place where I live while I was in Melbourne. Coming from the city, this structure looks in the middle of St Kilda Road as it turned out that the road turns curve which is a good visual effect and become a charm in the area. Even this building is near and walkable from my place, I haven’t got a chance to see it immediately until I put some time to walk around Melbourne. Shrine of Remembrance was built to remember Victorian people who fought World War I and now it is shrine to all Australians who fought wars. After I visited Canberra, I just thought that it was like a branch of Australian Memorial as it showcase the bravery of people who for the peace we enjoy right now. Photo capture last July 2013.

View At My Window : MotorClassica At Royal Exhibition Building

View At My Window (Post#15) : MotorClassica At Royal Exhibition Building

Car Motor Show was one of the unique event that I attended while in Melbourne. When I heard about MotorClassica I was curious as I am not really a car enthusiast since I don’t know how to drive and I don’t have my own car. But a showcase of classical cars was the main reason of my curiosity to attend. I went to Royal Exhibition Building to see different historical and branded cars which considered a treasure to people who own it. I honestly enjoyed the said exhibit. Photo captured last October 2013.

View At My Window : Melbourne Town Hall Grand Organ

View At My Window (Post#12) : Melbourne Town Hall Grand Organ

The reason why I like Open House event in any city is because of the freedom to enter in a building whether its public or private for free. Melbourne Town Hall was one of the building that I got a chance to visit during the event. And here one of the best feature of the Town Hall is its majestic Main Hall where one of the most beautiful pipe organ in the world can be found, it is the original wood-carved Grand Organ which built-in 1929. The said organ has been refurbished and relaunched last 2001. The photo captured during Open House Melbourne event held last July 2013.

Name Of The Place : Adelaide, Melbourne and Sydney

Name Of The Place (Post#12) : Adelaide, Melbourne and Sydney

Photo above was captured last May 2013 when I went to Haigh’s Chocolate Factory in Adelaide near from City Centre. I got a chance to visit these three cities when I was in Australia.

Based on History, the very first store of Haigh’s Chocolate was opened in Adelaide City last May 1915 which will reach its centennial year this year 2015. That’s good to know.

Chromatic Outlook : Melbourne City Town Hall

Chromatic Outlook (Post#10) : Melbourne City Town Hall

When I stayed in Australia, specifically in Melbourne, most of my travel plans were outside Melbourne or outside Victoria state as the city itself and nearby suburbs or towns will be easier to plan than traveling outside. And when Melbourne Open House event had been scheduled, I grabbed the opportunity to see the city because I have freedom to enter different buildings for free. One of the historic building I visited was the Melbourne City Town Hall which captured last July 2013. Melbourne City Town Hall as per Wikipedia is a municipal building of Melbourne City where the office of local government area is located.

This post has been updated to add the link of and to participate in the following:
Black and White View – May 30, 2016
Black and White Wednesday – Jun 1, 2016
The Weekend in Black and White – Jun 3, 2016

Chromatic Outlook : Enterprize Tall Ship

Chromatic Outlook (Post#8) : Enterprize Tall Ship

During my first assignment, one of the first adventures that I tried which just near Melbourne was sailing through Enterprize Ship. The ship is a replica of Enterprize Tall Ship which built during 19th century, a historical ship which has been part of Melbourne history. The photo captured last March 2013 at Victoria Harbour in Docklands near Melbourne CBD.

Another post related to my adventure of Enterprize Tall Ship
Sailing With Enterprize

This post has been updated to add the link of and to participate in the following:
Black and White View – May 9, 2016
Black and White Wednesday – May 11, 2016
The Weekend in Black and White – May 13, 2016

Chromatic Outlook : Queen Victoria Women’s Centre

Chromatic Outlook (Post#7) : Queen Victoria Women’s Centre

When I stayed for a while in Melbourne City, one of the event that I experienced was Melbourne Open House which happened once a year. During the event, many government, private, historical, church, commercial and even office buildings and structures are open for public viewing. I loved Open House because the event gave me a chance to enter to different buildings openly and for free. One of the building that I visited was Queen Victoria Women’s Centre which was a former Queen Victoria Hospital. The centre is a non-profit organization that provides information, support and resources for Victorian women and women’s organization. I captured this photo last July 2013 during Melbourne Open House.

View At My Window: A Little Bit Snapshot Of City Square

View At My Window (Post#1): A Little Bit Snapshot Of City Square

Swanston Street (corner Collins Street) From Melbourne Town Hall

I usually pass this area every time I am on my way to work during my project assignment in Melbourne. They also call this place as City Square.

Quick Stroll Along Bathing Boxes Lane – Brighton Beach

After enjoying Arthurs Seat for entertaining picnic, without any plan we dropped by at Brighton Beach before ending our day. Brighton is one of the suburbs of Melbourne in Victoria Australia. Every time I heard Brighton, one thing that comes to my mind, none other than colorful Bathing Boxes. Brighton Beach is one of the area belongs to Bayside in Melbourne that I am trying to finish the coastline walk.

Without further ado, we drove down to Brighton Beach from Arthurs Seat, it took a while before we reach the place and when we arrived there, it’s almost sunset. What we were trying to explore in the beach was to find the colorful bathing boxes that still existing in the area. As per history, there are more than thousand bathing boxes before, but nowadays, there are few left because most of the bathing houses were relocated, removed and destroyed from time to time, until the remaining bathing boxes in Brighton beach considered it as historical place as of today.

Colorful Bathing Boxes at Brighton Beach

We found the lineup of bathing boxes and we enjoyed the scenery because of the colorful bathing houses with different arts painted on it. We took our time to enjoy the view while taking the photos. We saw similar people like us who just dropped by in the area just to see and take pictures of historical bathing boxes. Aside from enjoying colorful bathing boxes, we also enjoyed the sunset views in the area.

Sunset views

This was the last stop we had for that day and decided to part our ways hoping that next adventure will happen soon.

Sailing With Enterprize

Trying to search what I can see and do in Melbourne because I know that I will be in the city temporarily. For what I know I will stay in Melbourne until May this year. With that sole reason I even checked for adventures that can be done after office hour. I found a unique but short adventure that does not need me to pack my stuff, no need for accommodation and not so far away from the city.

I searched online and discovered that there is available classic sailing with Enterprize Tall Ship, Enterprize a classic timber vessel that looks like 100 years old, what I mean is it was like a vessel came from 19th century. I never experienced sailing before and definitely not yet experienced to be on boarded in an 19th century ship. My curiosity lies not only in the places that I will be able to see during the cruise but also lies in the ship itself. I checked the website of Enterprize and then booked my tour two weeks before the schedule. Sailing schedule has been set already in their website and all I did was choose the date of the sail and the type of the sail.

I cruised last Friday, March 08, 2013. The meeting place was in Waterfront City Promenade at Victoria Harbour in Docklands Melbourne. After my work that day, I went straight to the meeting place. I arrived at Victoria Harbour and looked around the area if I can see the classic ship nearby. Looking at the time that it’s almost up for the cruise, I worried that I maybe waiting in wrong docking area. I called the person that I was talking previously to confirm my sail and responded with assurance that the sail was not yet started. While talking on the phone, that was the time that I saw the Enterprize. It was a relief that I was waiting in the right place.

I waited in the promenade until the ship stop at the wharf. It is true that Enterprize is a tall ship, at first I thought it was really a small vessel but when it halt in the docking area, I can say it was a tall one. Before I come to sail, I went to Melbourne Visitor’s Centre (I used to visit this one to check where else I can go around Victoria) and I found a brochure about Enterprize Melbourne Tall Ship. One thing that surprised me after reading something in the brochure that the Tall Ship is managed by a non-profit organisation because I thought they were like a tour company that gives unique experience to the people who joined the sail and the crew are volunteers. I learned that this non-profit organisation are assigned to preserve and to promote a significant part of Melbourne’s history. Enterprize has a huge part of Melbourne’s past because it was the ship that used by the people who started settlement in Melbourne in its early days. I found out as well that the original ship was made during 18th century in Hobart (city in Tasmania) and the ship that we will on boarded is a replica of the Enterprize.

The ship was ready and people who scheduled to sail that night on boarded the ship. I felt excited because two things that I experience that night, one is cruising or sailing and the other one is hopping on the historical and classic ship. The crew of the vessel talked about the Enterprize and took care of us in the whole journey. The sail begun and from the ship, I saw Victoria Harbour in a different angle. I enjoyed the scene all the way from the harbour. I knew that the sail will not really going far because it was just 1.5 hours voyage. At the trip, I met two Indian ladies who are twins and born in Australia, they are look asian but their accents are not anymore. They were the people who I grouped with along the journey.

Enterprize

Inside the cabin of the ship

Leaving Victoria Harbour in Docklands

On our way to Bolte Bridge

With the sunset view on the way

The sail was from Victoria Harbour in Docklands up to before we reach the West Gate Bridge. I remembered I asked one of the crew in the ship why a lots of ferries are passing the ship (what I meant that time was the ship was not fast) and he answered me that we’re not traveling, we’re sailing, that very moment I realised the difference of traveling and sailing.

Rigging Climb of Enterprize

West Gate Bridge

Snapshots of surrounding area

Limelights of Victoria Harbour

Bolte Bridge on our way back to the harbour

Victoria Harbour at night

At Waterfront City Marina

During the sail, people on board like me given an option to help the crew during the cruise or do the rigging climb. At first I did not took any of the options, but in the end I chose to climb the rigging of the ship. I was nervous but I was looking up for it that was why I wore rubber shoes that time. Before I did the climb, the crew helped me prepared to wear the harness for my safety. And then, another crew helped me during the climb. I took my time while going up and took some time to at the top of the rigging to feel the wind and to see the surroundings from above. All in all it was a great experience.

I went down the rigging and we were on our way back to the harbour. During those period, since it’s night, I took photos of Victoria Harbour on its lime lights.

I enjoyed my first ever sailing adventure.

Public Art Display at New Quay Promenade beside Waterfront City Promenade
entitled “Silence” after returning from Enterprize sail

On The Water Front – Melbourne Walking Tour Part 1

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.

Princes Bridge, Hamer Hall and Southgate Mall in Southbank Promenade

Southbank Promenade and nearby areas captured from Flinders Walk

Princes Bridge and Hamer Hall

Hamer Hall (left)