13D Australia Summer Trip: Flinders Street Station, Melbourne
Melbourne is such a fine city and I am really quite happy with my hotel's location which is just a tram ride away from the city centre of Melbourne. Oh right, how does Melbournian do their travelling by public transport? It seems that the main transportation used in the city is the tram. However, if you come from Sydney, you would need to buy another type of travel card because you will not be able to use your Opal Card in Melbourne. The reusable travel card which is valid in Melbourne is called Myki and you can use the card for taking trains, buses and trams in the city. You can buy and top up your Myki at any convenience stores in the city (we topped up at 7-11 along Elizabeth Street).
Once we have gotten our Myki, it's time to explore the city. I wanted to check out the famous Flinders Street Station but in order to reach that station, it seems that I have to pass through the city centre of Melbourne. While we could take the tram for free since the city centre of Melbourne is a Free Tram Zone (FTZ), Lee and I decided to walk instead because we could do sightseeing in a more chillaxing vibe this way. The first landmark that we passed is the Queen Victoria Market. The market was already closed though because it's Sunday and the market closes earlier on Sunday at 3PM. Sadz. Another time then, my Queen.
Once we have gotten our Myki, it's time to explore the city. I wanted to check out the famous Flinders Street Station but in order to reach that station, it seems that I have to pass through the city centre of Melbourne. While we could take the tram for free since the city centre of Melbourne is a Free Tram Zone (FTZ), Lee and I decided to walk instead because we could do sightseeing in a more chillaxing vibe this way. The first landmark that we passed is the Queen Victoria Market. The market was already closed though because it's Sunday and the market closes earlier on Sunday at 3PM. Sadz. Another time then, my Queen.
While the market was closed, a lot of people were still chilling at the cafes on Elizabeth Street. It seems that some cafes open until 5PM-ish in Melbourne. Elizabeth Street is one of the main streets in the central business district of Melbourne and the street is famous for its retail shopping and cafes. Other then the Queen Victoria Market, the street is also connected with key shopping and tourist destinations such as Bourke Street Mall, Melbourne's GPO, and Melbourne Central Shopping Centre.
As the weather is so hot, I took a shortcut at somewhere along Little Bourke Street and Little Collins Street and was transported immediately to the Royal Arcade, a historic shopping arcade in Melbourne's CBD. This is the oldest surviving arcade in Australian and it is known for its elegant light-fitted interior.
There are so many clocks inside the Royal Arcade but ironically instead of the famous one, we only took picture of this clock. I suppose more researches are needed to be done if you really want to explore one place in detail. If you have the chance to visit the Royal Arcade, you may be interested in checking out their Gaunt's Clock which is guarded by Gog and Magog. Not very sure on the exact reason of why Gog and Magog are selected as "timekeepers" for a special clock in the Royal Arcade because as far as I'm aware, Gog and Magog are not exactly nice fellas in the Bible story. They were gonna invade the Israelites with their armies, I think.
There is a gallery of the Art of Dr. Seuss inside the Royal Arcade. But unfortunately, it was already closed by the time I found out where it is located. You can see the paintings from "The Secret Art Collection", "The Unorthodox Taxidermy Sculpture" and the "Illustration Art". After all, Dr. Seuss is famous for its quirky quotes such as "If you never did, you should. These things are fun, and fun is good." I hope he's not referring to some drugs though.
Right outside Little Collins Street, you can finally see the oldest railway station in Australia, Flinders Street Station. The station was used to be Melbourne's favourite meeting place and the locals even had a catchphrase for it "meet me under the clocks". There are a lot of takeaway stands in the concourse level such as sushi, hotdog, donuts and even newspaper kiosk. Meanwhile, the upper floors of the train station is used to house a library, gym and a lecture hall, later used as a ballroom.
The unique yellow facade and the green dome of Flinders Street Station has often made into a lot of postcards of Melbourne because after all, it's one of the symbol of the city of Melbourne. If you ever need an internet connection, you can tap on the station's free wi-fi which is accessible on the station concourse and from every platform.
