Location: Swanston Street and Flinders Street, Melbourne
Opened: 1854 (main building was opened 1909)
For decades Melbournians have recited the famous line "meet you under the clocks", a tribute to the reputation of one of Melbourne's most famous and recognisable landmarks. The line refers to the row of clocks that sits above the main entrance to Flinders Street Station.
Flinders Street Station was originally known as the Melbourne Terminus, a series of weatherboard sheds opened by Lieutenant-Governer Charles Hotham in 1854. A single 30 metre platform serviced a steam engine that traveled from Flinders Street to Port Melbourne. A second platform was opened in 1877, with a third added in the 1890s.
The building we know today was a result of a design competition held in 1899 and won by James Fawcett and HPC Ashworth. Their design was constructed between 1905 and 1909, while one of the original Melbourne Terminus sheds was relocated to form part of the Hawthorn Train Station.
The station is four stories tall (five if you include the basement which is still occupied by stores) and ihas included a library, gym and a ballroom. The basement next to the main entrance has been occupied by 'City Hatters' since 1933. in 1926, Flinders Street was the world's busiest passenger station.
The famous clocks actually date back to the 1860's when they were purchased from England and were formally operated operated by Officers using long poles, and though they have now been automated, a plan in 1983 to have them replaced with digital displays with met with such outrage that the plan was abandoned.
Related:
Princes Bridge
Friday 31 January 2014
Thursday 30 January 2014
Princes Bridge - Melbourne
Location: Swanston Street, Melbourne
Opened: 4 October, 1888
The 120 metre Princes Bridge in Melbourne's CBD spans the Yarra River, connecting Swanston Street with St. Kilda road. The bridge was constructed between 1886 and 1888 in order to deal with increased traffic caused by the rapid expansion of the Gold Rush.
Named after Edward, Price of Wales, the bridge replaced a wooden toll bridge that was built in the 1840's. It now carries cars, various tram routes, cyclists and pedestrians from the city (near the famous Flinders Street Station) to destinations like Southbank, the Arts Centre, Botanic Gardens and the Sidney Myer Music Bowl.
Tram routes that cross the Princes Bridge service many inner South Eastern suburbs, including St. Kilda, Caulfield, Carnegie, Toorak, Prahran and Malvern.
Related:
Queens Bridge
Church St Bridge
Opened: 4 October, 1888
The 120 metre Princes Bridge in Melbourne's CBD spans the Yarra River, connecting Swanston Street with St. Kilda road. The bridge was constructed between 1886 and 1888 in order to deal with increased traffic caused by the rapid expansion of the Gold Rush.
Named after Edward, Price of Wales, the bridge replaced a wooden toll bridge that was built in the 1840's. It now carries cars, various tram routes, cyclists and pedestrians from the city (near the famous Flinders Street Station) to destinations like Southbank, the Arts Centre, Botanic Gardens and the Sidney Myer Music Bowl.
Tram routes that cross the Princes Bridge service many inner South Eastern suburbs, including St. Kilda, Caulfield, Carnegie, Toorak, Prahran and Malvern.
Related:
Queens Bridge
Church St Bridge
Wednesday 29 January 2014
Church Street Bridge - Richmond
Location: Church St and Chapel St, Richmond
Opened: 1923
Linking Church Street in Richmond with Chapel Street in South Yarra, the reinforced concrete arch Church Street Bridge was opened in 1923, replacing an iron girder bridge which was purchased from the British at the end of the Crimean War. The old bridge was opened in 1857.
The bridge crosses the Yarra as well as the Monash Freeway which was built next to the river in the 1960's.
The bridge is on the Victorian Heritage Register. It also supports the 78 and 79 tram route.
Related:
West Gate Bridge
Bolte Bridge
Opened: 1923
Linking Church Street in Richmond with Chapel Street in South Yarra, the reinforced concrete arch Church Street Bridge was opened in 1923, replacing an iron girder bridge which was purchased from the British at the end of the Crimean War. The old bridge was opened in 1857.
The bridge crosses the Yarra as well as the Monash Freeway which was built next to the river in the 1960's.
The bridge is on the Victorian Heritage Register. It also supports the 78 and 79 tram route.
Related:
West Gate Bridge
Bolte Bridge
Tuesday 28 January 2014
Bolte Bridge - Melbourne
Location: Melbourne
Opened: August, 1999
The 490 metre Bolte Bridge was built in 3 years (1996-1999) at a cost of $75 million. It is part of the Citylink tool road system which links the Monash Freeway to the Tullamarine and the West Gate Freeway.
Jeff Kennett, who was Premier of Victoria at the time, named the bridge after Henry Bolte, the Premier most associated with the three freeways connected by the bridge.
Interestingly, the iconic 90-metre high pillars that decorate the bridge are purely aesthetic, and are not physically connected to the bridge. The bridge carries six lanes of traffic and offers views over the Docklands, the CBD and Etihad Stadium.
Related:
West Gate Bridge
Queens Bridge
Opened: August, 1999
The 490 metre Bolte Bridge was built in 3 years (1996-1999) at a cost of $75 million. It is part of the Citylink tool road system which links the Monash Freeway to the Tullamarine and the West Gate Freeway.
Jeff Kennett, who was Premier of Victoria at the time, named the bridge after Henry Bolte, the Premier most associated with the three freeways connected by the bridge.
Interestingly, the iconic 90-metre high pillars that decorate the bridge are purely aesthetic, and are not physically connected to the bridge. The bridge carries six lanes of traffic and offers views over the Docklands, the CBD and Etihad Stadium.
Related:
West Gate Bridge
Queens Bridge
Monday 27 January 2014
West Gate Bridge - Melbourne
Location: Yarra River, Melbourne
Opened: 1978
The 2.5 kilometre West Gate Bridge was completed in 1978 and is the second longest bridge in Australia. Carrying up to 200,000 vehicles per day, the bridge forms a link between the CBD and Geelong and is one of Melbourne's biggest corridors.
Twice as long as the Sydney Harbour Bridge, the West Gate Bridge was a toll road until 1985. Speed Cameras built on the bridge in 2004 have been deactivated since 2005 as the sway of bridge causes issues in accurately identifying the speed.
On October 15, 1970, two years into the construction of the bridge, 35 workers were killed when a 112 metre section of the bridge fell 50 metres in to the water. A 1971 Royal Commission into the collapse attributed it to errors in the structural design and an unusual method of construction.
Related:
Queens Bridge
Bolte Bridge
Opened: 1978
The 2.5 kilometre West Gate Bridge was completed in 1978 and is the second longest bridge in Australia. Carrying up to 200,000 vehicles per day, the bridge forms a link between the CBD and Geelong and is one of Melbourne's biggest corridors.
Twice as long as the Sydney Harbour Bridge, the West Gate Bridge was a toll road until 1985. Speed Cameras built on the bridge in 2004 have been deactivated since 2005 as the sway of bridge causes issues in accurately identifying the speed.
On October 15, 1970, two years into the construction of the bridge, 35 workers were killed when a 112 metre section of the bridge fell 50 metres in to the water. A 1971 Royal Commission into the collapse attributed it to errors in the structural design and an unusual method of construction.
Related:
Queens Bridge
Bolte Bridge
Saturday 25 January 2014
Queens Bridge - Melbourne
Location: Queensbridge St, Melbourne
Opened: 1889.
Originally a timber footbridge built in 1860 known as Falls Bridge, Queens Bridge rests on iron cylinders with 5 spans. It was named in honour of Queen Victoria.
The bridge connects Market and Williams St with Queensbridge Street across the Yarra River. It also serves the 55 tram route.
Related:
Bolte Bridge
West Gate Bridge
Opened: 1889.
Originally a timber footbridge built in 1860 known as Falls Bridge, Queens Bridge rests on iron cylinders with 5 spans. It was named in honour of Queen Victoria.
The bridge connects Market and Williams St with Queensbridge Street across the Yarra River. It also serves the 55 tram route.
Related:
Bolte Bridge
West Gate Bridge
Friday 24 January 2014
Eureka Tower - Melbourne
Location: Southbank
Opened: 11 October, 2006.
At a startling 297.3 metres, the Eureka Tower is the tallest building in Melbourne and the second tallest in Australia (behind the Q1 building on the Gold Coast). It superseded the height of the Rialto in 2004.
Named after the Eureka Stockade, a defining moment in the history of Victoria, construction began on the tower in August 2001 and took 4 years and 2 months to complete. The windows of the top 10 floors are built of 24 carat gold.
The entire 88th floor houses the highest public viewing platform in the southern hemisphere. The skydeck also features a glass cube known as The Edge which protrudes 3 metres out of the building.
Related:
Orica House
Rialto Towers
Opened: 11 October, 2006.
At a startling 297.3 metres, the Eureka Tower is the tallest building in Melbourne and the second tallest in Australia (behind the Q1 building on the Gold Coast). It superseded the height of the Rialto in 2004.
Named after the Eureka Stockade, a defining moment in the history of Victoria, construction began on the tower in August 2001 and took 4 years and 2 months to complete. The windows of the top 10 floors are built of 24 carat gold.
The entire 88th floor houses the highest public viewing platform in the southern hemisphere. The skydeck also features a glass cube known as The Edge which protrudes 3 metres out of the building.
Related:
Orica House
Rialto Towers
Thursday 23 January 2014
Rialto Towers - Melbourne
Location: 525 Collins Street
Opened: October 1986
The original Rialto Building was built 1889 and stood at 5-storeys tall. It sat alongside the Robb's Building, and the Winfield building. These buildings sat derelict during the 1970's until in 1980 when the Grollo Group purchased the site for redevelopment.
Although the Robb's Building needed to be demolished, the original Rialto Building and the Winfield were retrained and still sit near the corner of King and Collins Streets. The Rialto towers, named in tribute to the original building on the site, were built between 1982 and 1986.
The building consists of two towers, the north tower is 247 metres tall, while the south tower is 185m.
The Rialto was Australia's tallest building for 20 years, until the 297 metre Eureka Tower was opened in 2006.
Related:
Orica House
Opened: October 1986
The original Rialto Building was built 1889 and stood at 5-storeys tall. It sat alongside the Robb's Building, and the Winfield building. These buildings sat derelict during the 1970's until in 1980 when the Grollo Group purchased the site for redevelopment.
Although the Robb's Building needed to be demolished, the original Rialto Building and the Winfield were retrained and still sit near the corner of King and Collins Streets. The Rialto towers, named in tribute to the original building on the site, were built between 1982 and 1986.
The building consists of two towers, the north tower is 247 metres tall, while the south tower is 185m.
The Rialto was Australia's tallest building for 20 years, until the 297 metre Eureka Tower was opened in 2006.
Related:
Orica House
Wednesday 22 January 2014
Orica House - East Melbourne
Location: 1 Nicholson St, East Melbourne
Opened: 1958
Orica House, originally called the ICI Building, was the tallest building in Australia when it was built in 1958. Although it lost that title 3 years later when the Australia Square tower was built in Sydney, it remains an iconic part of Melbourne.
Prior to the the development of ICI House, Melbourne had a 12 story height limit for buildings. The relaxation of these laws lead to 22 towers being developed in the late 1950's, radically transforming the centre of Melbourne and beginning the development of the city we have today.
The building is still office space, now occupied by Orica Energy.
Related:
Royal Exhibition Building
Opened: 1958
Orica House, originally called the ICI Building, was the tallest building in Australia when it was built in 1958. Although it lost that title 3 years later when the Australia Square tower was built in Sydney, it remains an iconic part of Melbourne.
Prior to the the development of ICI House, Melbourne had a 12 story height limit for buildings. The relaxation of these laws lead to 22 towers being developed in the late 1950's, radically transforming the centre of Melbourne and beginning the development of the city we have today.
The building is still office space, now occupied by Orica Energy.
Related:
Royal Exhibition Building
Tuesday 21 January 2014
List of Australian Open Venues
Current venues:
Rod Laver Arena
Hisense Arena
Margaret Court Arena
Past venues:
Kooyong
Albert Cricket Ground
Rod Laver Arena
Hisense Arena
Margaret Court Arena
Past venues:
Kooyong
Albert Cricket Ground
Margaret Court Arena - Richmond
Location: Swan St, Richmond
Opened: 1988
The 6,000 capacity Show Court One was renamed Margaret Court Arena in 2003 to honour former world number one Margaret Court.
Recent upgrades to the stadium include a retractable roof and an increase to a capacity of 7,500. The $363 million door investment will mean that the stadium is able to host concerts, basketball and netball.
The stadium is the third biggest venue used for the Australian Open, behind Rod Laver Arena and Hisense Arena.
Opened: 1988
The 6,000 capacity Show Court One was renamed Margaret Court Arena in 2003 to honour former world number one Margaret Court.
Recent upgrades to the stadium include a retractable roof and an increase to a capacity of 7,500. The $363 million door investment will mean that the stadium is able to host concerts, basketball and netball.
The stadium is the third biggest venue used for the Australian Open, behind Rod Laver Arena and Hisense Arena.
Monday 20 January 2014
Hisense Arena - Richmond
Location: Swan St, Richmond
Completed: 2000
Under the original title of Multi-Purpose Venue, Hisense arena is located adjacent to Rod Laver Arena which was completed 12 years earlier. With a capacity of 11,000 people, the arena is the home of the second court for the Australian Open Tennis Championship, it has also hosted basketball and netball.
The stadium hosted basketball and other sports during the Commonwealth Games, and has also been the home for track-cycling championships and, recently, an ice-hockey series between Canada and the USA. It was renamed from Vodafone arena to Hisense Arena in 2008.
The first tennis match at the venue was won by Monica Seles in less than 10 minutes when her opponent retired.
Related:
Kooyong Tennis Club
Rod Laver Arena
Margaret Court Arena
Completed: 2000
Under the original title of Multi-Purpose Venue, Hisense arena is located adjacent to Rod Laver Arena which was completed 12 years earlier. With a capacity of 11,000 people, the arena is the home of the second court for the Australian Open Tennis Championship, it has also hosted basketball and netball.
The stadium hosted basketball and other sports during the Commonwealth Games, and has also been the home for track-cycling championships and, recently, an ice-hockey series between Canada and the USA. It was renamed from Vodafone arena to Hisense Arena in 2008.
The first tennis match at the venue was won by Monica Seles in less than 10 minutes when her opponent retired.
Related:
Kooyong Tennis Club
Rod Laver Arena
Margaret Court Arena
Sunday 19 January 2014
Kooyong Lawn Tennis Club - Kooyong
Location: 489 Glenferrie Road, Kooyong
The 8,500 capacity Kooyong Stadium was the venue for the Australian Open for the first time in 1927, hosting it sporadically between then and 1972 when it was made the permanent venue until 1987. In 1988 the event was moved to the National Tennis Centre in Richmond.
Since 1988, it has held the Kooyong (now AAMI) Classic, a lead up event to the Australian Open. It has held several Davis Cup finals.
The stadium was also used for concerts by Led Zeppelin (1972), The Rolling Stones (1973), Black Sabbath (1973), Bob Dylan (1986) and David Bowie (1987).
Related:
Rod Laver Arena
Hisense Arena
The 8,500 capacity Kooyong Stadium was the venue for the Australian Open for the first time in 1927, hosting it sporadically between then and 1972 when it was made the permanent venue until 1987. In 1988 the event was moved to the National Tennis Centre in Richmond.
Since 1988, it has held the Kooyong (now AAMI) Classic, a lead up event to the Australian Open. It has held several Davis Cup finals.
The stadium was also used for concerts by Led Zeppelin (1972), The Rolling Stones (1973), Black Sabbath (1973), Bob Dylan (1986) and David Bowie (1987).
Related:
Rod Laver Arena
Hisense Arena
Saturday 18 January 2014
Albert Cricket Ground - St. Kilda
Location: St. Kilda Rd, St. Kilda.
Before Kooyong and Rod Laver Arena, the Australian Open made its home on a cricket field beside St. Kilda Road.
The 1905 tournament took place at the Warehouseman's Cricket Ground, now called Albert Cricket Ground, near the intersection of Commercial Road and St. Kilda Rd. The ground still hosts cricket matches for the Melbourne Cricket Club, and has also featured state cricket games and a tour from South Africa A. It was also the home for several international women's games.
The Albert Ground still has some reminder of its tennis heritage, with 9 plexicushion courts on the city side of the field.
For the record, the 1905 Australian Open was won by Rodney Heath, who beat Arthur Curtis. The Albert Cricket Ground also held the 1911, 1914 and 1924 events.
Related:
Rod Laver Arena
Before Kooyong and Rod Laver Arena, the Australian Open made its home on a cricket field beside St. Kilda Road.
The 1905 tournament took place at the Warehouseman's Cricket Ground, now called Albert Cricket Ground, near the intersection of Commercial Road and St. Kilda Rd. The ground still hosts cricket matches for the Melbourne Cricket Club, and has also featured state cricket games and a tour from South Africa A. It was also the home for several international women's games.
The Albert Ground still has some reminder of its tennis heritage, with 9 plexicushion courts on the city side of the field.
For the record, the 1905 Australian Open was won by Rodney Heath, who beat Arthur Curtis. The Albert Cricket Ground also held the 1911, 1914 and 1924 events.
Related:
Rod Laver Arena
Friday 17 January 2014
Rod Laver Arena - Richmond
Location: Batman Avenue, Richmond.
Opened: January 1988
The 15,000 seat National Tennis Centre was opened in 1988 as a replacement for Kooyong Stadium to host the Australian Open, a Grand Slam event that has been held in Melbourne since 1905.
Built on parkland in Richmond, less than 1km from Melbourne's CBD, the stadium was conceived in 1985 in order to allow the Australian Open to catch up with world Grand Slam standards. The National Tennis Centre Trust was established by Parliament in order to manage the project.
In 1988 the stadium, featuring a retractable roof, was opened for the Australian Open. The crowd for that event was over 260,000 and was won by Steffi Graf and Mats Wilander. On February 4 that year, AC/DC played the first concer at the venue.
In January 2000, the stadium was renamed Rod Laver Arena to honour three time Australian Open champion Rod Laver.
It currently hosts over 1.5 million people every year for the Australian Open Tennis, music concerts, conferences and other sports. It also hosted the gymnastic events of the 2006 Commonwealth Games.
Related:
Albert Cricket Ground
Margaret Court Arena
Opened: January 1988
The 15,000 seat National Tennis Centre was opened in 1988 as a replacement for Kooyong Stadium to host the Australian Open, a Grand Slam event that has been held in Melbourne since 1905.
(Picture of Rod Laver Arena during the 2014 Australian Open)
Built on parkland in Richmond, less than 1km from Melbourne's CBD, the stadium was conceived in 1985 in order to allow the Australian Open to catch up with world Grand Slam standards. The National Tennis Centre Trust was established by Parliament in order to manage the project.
In 1988 the stadium, featuring a retractable roof, was opened for the Australian Open. The crowd for that event was over 260,000 and was won by Steffi Graf and Mats Wilander. On February 4 that year, AC/DC played the first concer at the venue.
In January 2000, the stadium was renamed Rod Laver Arena to honour three time Australian Open champion Rod Laver.
It currently hosts over 1.5 million people every year for the Australian Open Tennis, music concerts, conferences and other sports. It also hosted the gymnastic events of the 2006 Commonwealth Games.
Related:
Albert Cricket Ground
Margaret Court Arena
Thursday 16 January 2014
Royal Exhibition Building - Carlton
Built in 1880, the Royal Exhibition Building is one of Melbourne's most iconic venues. Located in Carlton - on the border of the Central Business District - it is currently used for large events, such as the Melbourne Flower & Garden Show.
The building is Heritage Listed, not surprising given the amazing historical events it has held:
1. Melbourne International Exhibition (1880)
2. Melbourne Centennial Exhibition (1888)
3. The opening of Australia's first Parliament (1901)
4. It was an Olympic Games venue in 1956, hosting basketball, wrestling, fencing and weightlifting events.
The building was nearly demolished in 1948, with locals upset at it's decaying state. It was saved by council vote, although the Grand Ballroom was demolished in 1979.
The building is Heritage Listed, not surprising given the amazing historical events it has held:
1. Melbourne International Exhibition (1880)
2. Melbourne Centennial Exhibition (1888)
3. The opening of Australia's first Parliament (1901)
4. It was an Olympic Games venue in 1956, hosting basketball, wrestling, fencing and weightlifting events.
The building was nearly demolished in 1948, with locals upset at it's decaying state. It was saved by council vote, although the Grand Ballroom was demolished in 1979.
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