“Show your TICKETS please!” Nah, just kidding … we are on Melbourne’s free City Circle Tram and our conductor is more tourist guide than ticket cop, and is keenly pointing out the many free things to do in the “world’s most liveable city”.
City Circle Tram
Aimed specially at tourists, the City Circle Trams are by easy to spot by their heritage livery of maroon and green, with gold trimmings. These are refurbished, historic W Class trams which are a cherished part of Melbourne’s past. They follow a circuit route around the CBD, travelling in both directions, so even the most map-challenged foreign visitor cannot get lost – just stay on the tram and you will eventually be back at your starting point. The trams are Number 35, and arrive about every 12 minutes, from 10am-6pm. The route takes us within easy walking distance of many places of interest, all for free.
Old Treasury Building
The State Parliament, where weighty matters such as free public transport are deliberated, is worth a look. However, it’s the adjoining Old Treasury Building that most people come to see. The expansive entrance steps bluestone backdrop makes the building a favourite location for wedding photo shoots. Completed in 1862 as the state’s main building of government, it is a fine example of Victoria’s architectural boom during the Gold Rush period of 1850-1890. Regular guided tours are available for a small fee.
The Gardens
Only a stride or two away from the Old Treasury Building are the beautiful Treasury Gardens and visitors are welcomed by a striking monument to Australian bush poet Adam Lindsay Gordon. The City Circle Tram route takes us past Melbourne’s other main gardens which are a “must see” at any time of the year: Fitzroy Gardens, Carlton Gardens and Flagstaff Gardens. Stroll just a few hundred metres, over the Yarra River, to the Alexandra Gardens, the Queen Victoria Gardens and the cream of the crop, the Royal Botanic Gardens with its world-class collection of indigenous and foreign flora. This is the ultimate setting to “chill out” for a bit and take the time to smell the roses. The Royal Botanic Gardens is also home to historic Government House, the National Herbarium and the Shrine of Remembrance, which are all free to visit.
?? Royal Exhibition Building in Carlton Gardens ? Melbourne, Australia pic.twitter.com/FoFvzPYenE
— Eliana (@Elianasp2425) June 10, 2015
National Gallery of Victoria Leaving the Gardens, hop across St Kilda Road – itself, one of the world’s great, leafy boulevards – and we are at the National Gallery of Victoria. General admission is free, and an entire day dedicated to the task will not be enough to take in all there is to see. The NGV also includes a separate “wing”, the Ian Potter Centre at Federation Square, which houses a collection of Australian art dating back to colonial times. https://www.instagram.com/p/3gjSM2vGLn/ Federation Square Again on the City Circle Tram route, “Fed Square” has become the central point in the city where people meet. Adjacent to historic Flinders St Station, it is worth visiting just to see its challenging and controversial architectural design … and its intentionally rough, uneven paving that can be a killer for women in high heels! Fed Square has popular bars and restaurants, and also hosts the Australian Centre for the Moving Image, which is a permanent display of film, television and digital imagery. https://www.instagram.com/p/3ldcIyO3J5/ Royal Exhibition Building, State Library Further along the route, is the Royal Exhibition Building, built in 1880 and one of the world’s oldest exhibition pavilions still in use. Just a few tram stops away is another magnificent Gold Rush era building, the State Library of Victoria with its Domed Reading Room and if the weather’s good, join the uni students lazing on the front lawn though it can be a bit of a squeeze for room.
Morning people or night owls??The last hour of White Night, 6am, State Library of Victoria, Melbourne, Australia? pic.twitter.com/OBfuJ2reVi — Street Tweets (@streetpicsnow) February 22, 2015
Queen Victoria Market
Not that far from the tram track is Melbourne’s grand old lady of markets, the Queen Vic Market. Melburnians and tourists alike have been coming here for decades, to load up with fresh produce, souvenirs and clothing. Classy bars and eateries have added to the attraction.
The stadiums
The City Circle Tram trundles past Docklands Stadium and has stops within a hundred metres of the Melbourne Cricket Ground, both of which are world-famous sports and entertainment stadiums – and free for a look.
City laneways
Alight anywhere along the City Circle Tram route and explore Melbourne’s fabulous laneways, with cafes – I don’t care where you are from, Melbourne has the best coffee in Australia! – Cheap eateries and retail shopping. Or simply walk along the Yarra River and enjoy the birdlife, the grass, the flowers and the trees … no one has slapped a user-pays fee on them yet.
My Grandma used to say: “The best things in life are free!” Sure, things have changed a fair bit since Grandma’s day, but Melbourne still has plenty of things to see and do for free, and all conveniently accessed by the free City Circle Tram.
(Featured image: Francisco Anzola)
