Posts in the Melbourne category
Everyday Escapades: Mapping the ‘Burbs
On a rare blue-sky winter day in Melbourne, I set out to ride the St Kilda path of “Mapping the ‘Burbs”, which is part of the State of Design festival that has been taking place here over the past two weeks.
Presented by the Australian Institute of Architects, several cycle-friendly maps have been created for various suburbs around Melbourne, marking significant buildings and locations. They’re available for download here, so should any architecturally-minded cycling enthusiasts out there find themselves in our fair city, try it out!
Unfortunately, after a bike malfunction I never made it past the Peanut Farm Reserve community gardens. Although I was initially only planning on a quick visit, the sunny weather drew me in and I actually really enjoyed being in a working garden and taking a few photos in the late afternoon sun. It’s got a total 1990′s vibe with heaps of weird art and mosaic murals left over from when St Kilda was, arguably, in its prime. Luna Park is across the street, so you can potter peacefully in your garden to the sound of distant screams.
A unique little corner of Melbourne, to be sure.
*photography by Jess
Everyday Escapades: Signs of Brunswick
This weekend I’m moving to the other side of the city. Beach side! Since I arrived in Melbourne I’ve been based in the formerly quite industrial, inner-city suburb of Brunswick. Apparently it’s changed a lot and become more gentrified over the past five years, but remnants of a past life can still be seen in the warehouses around the train-line.
I went on a couple of early morning missions to document the wonderful, faded old signage in the area. A souvenir of my time here, if you like.
Goodbye Brunswick!
Stay: Lost + Found pop-up hotel, Melbourne
Being the design nerd that I am, I’m head over heels for the Lost & Found temporary hotel room that’s happening in Melbourne right now. Alas, as a local I don’t have much reason to stay there, and anyway, reservations are by ballot only. But oh, I must mention, if you’re lucky enough to be selected it’s free – no kidding!
Now in it’s second year, the room has been set up in the airy space above Captains of Industry cafe (I could do a whole other post on their ‘Knuckle’ sandwich) where it has been filled with the very best Melbourne has to offer in terms of design, art and other treats. Here’s the roll call: Grandfathers Axe, Aesop, ffiXXed, Utopian Slumps, Monsieur Truffe, Mud, Dedece, Thonet, Cecilia Fox, Cibi, Daniel Barbera, Plumm, Mr Kitly, Living Edge, Humble Vintage, Magnation, World Food Books, Shelley Panton, St AlBans, Nicholas Gardner, Dalzotto, Yarra Valley Dairy, Dawn Press.
The hotel room was created and curated by Right Angle for Tourism Victoria. I think it’s great to see the government backing such an original and cool idea, don’t you?
Now all that’s left to do is look at the pretty pictures.
*Photos by Warwick Baker courtesy Tourism Victoria
Everyday Escapades: Heide Museum of Modern Art, Melbourne
As this blog settles into a kind of rhythm, I’ve been thinking about how to include something of my own life while staying true to the ‘travel’ theme. Because as much as I’d love to be out exploring the world, like most people I can only travel a few times a year. But I do try to experience new things around my home as often as I can, and I think that a sense of discovery is a big part of what this blog is about. Also, as a relatively new arrival in my own city (Melbourne) I’m really still discovering it myself!
So, I’ve decided to start a regular post called ‘Everyday Escapades’. And here it is – the first one!
This week I’ve been assisting Sean on a magazine photo shoot which has basically consisted of touring Melbourne’s best cafes, restaurants and retail stores – I know, tough job right? Anyway, he’s the pro photographer but I’ve been helping out with styling, lighting and general odd jobs. One of my more unusual duties has become known as “being a blur”, which means walking across a shot to add some movement. I think I’ve found my calling.
I can’t really share pics from the shoot yet (will post a link when they’re up) but here’s one out-take that really demonstrate my talent as a blur. It’s taken at the excellent Heide Museum of Modern Art, where an exhibition called ‘Colour Bazaar’ is currently showing.
The below piece (Sliding Ladder: Truncated Icosohedron # 1 by Nike Savvas) particularly caught my eye. The technique reminds me of those seventies wall hangings, which I love.
Anyway, if you’re in Melbourne Heide really is a great little excursion. It’s out in the suburbs on a tranquil piece of preserved farm land that began life as the home of arts patrons John and Sunday Reed in the 1950′s. Their story alone is interesting enough to warrant a visit (think bohemian lifestyles, the creation of famous Australian artworks, love affairs) and the original homestead is still there surrounded by lush garden, but is joined now by the museum itself. If you needed any more convincing, Australian chef Shannon Bennett has set up a cafe outpost of his popular Vue de monde restaurant on the property. Yum.
