Visiting your hometown as a tourist can be a strange experience, especially when new roads, buildings and gardens have popped up since you left, and, in the case of Melbourne, an entire new precinct. The city's newest waterfront destination is Melbourne Docklands, located to the west of Melbourne's Central Business District (CBD) on magnificent Victoria Harbour. Featuring almost two miles of Yarra River frontage, the Docklands is an urban oasis, a buzzing inner city suburb with a dynamic combination of residential, commercial, retail and leisure activities.
There are a number of easy, hassle-free ways to get here. The free City Circle Tram will take you to Harbour Esplanade, or catch a train to the magnificent futuristic new Southern Cross Station (formerly the drab Spencer Street Station). Alternatively take the 86, 48 or 30 tram services (that run on Collins and Bourke Streets) or for a truly spectacular approach, jump on the Yarra River Shuttle Service from Federation Square (operating from November to April).
Walk, ride or skate along miles of wide waterfront promenades and dream about owning one of the luxury cruisers or yachts moored at the three marinas. Although you may just wish to just meander along the waterfront taking in the outdoor art installations, the sensational views and people watching, chances are you will succumb to one of the many culinary temptations.
International is always the flavor in Melbourne and the Docklands is no exception. Choose from innovative modern Australian, Mediterranean or Asian inspired creations right on the waterfront at NewQuay, Victoria Harbour, Waterfront City, Yarra's Edge, Batman's Hill and Stadium Precinct. The area has over 50 restaurants, cafés and bars including these stand-outs:
- Livebait (tel. + 613/9642-1500; www.livebait.com.au) is a Mecca for seafood lovers. Here your hardest decision will be whether to choose from the freshest fish or indulge in the restaurant's signature paella.
- Speaking of Meccas, we watched a spectacular Melbourne sunset on NewQuay Promenade from the deck outside the Mecca Bah (tel. + 613/9642-1300; www.meccabah.com), a Moroccan inspired restaurant with traditional and innovative Middle Eastern delights with a modern Australian twist.
- Bhoj (tel. + 613/9600-0884; www.bhoj.com.au) is an award-winning Indian restaurant with modern décor and an excellent wine list located on NewQuay Promenade.
- Iku Izakaya (tel. + 613/9646-2400; www.iku-izakaya.com.au) on River Esplanade, Yarra's Edge offers breathtaking waterfront views and the theatrical experience of Japanese chefs preparing your meals in front of you.
- Renzo's Bar Café Italiano (tel. + 613 /9640-0550; www.renzosbar.com), once again on NewQuay Promenade, specializes in delicious authentic wood fired pizzas in a sleek contemporary setting.
- For a pre- or post dinner drink and some delicious tapas try Liquid Bar (tel. + 613/ 9642-4242; www.liquidbar.com.au).
- Watermark Bar (tel. + 613/9642-1880; www.watermarkbar.com.au) on Bourke St, Victoria Harbour offers no less than three menus to enjoy in either the Lounge, Pavilion, Bar, Loft or Beer Garden facing the water.
Docklands plays host to a wide array of major public events including New Year's Eve celebrations, the Summer Boat Show and the Melbourne Food and Wine Festival (www.melbournefoodandwine.com.au) from January 17 to February 12 in 2006. Docklands is also home to the Telstra Dome, the state-of-the-art sports and entertainment stadium and a Docklands icon that hosts the Australian Football League (AFL) Pre-season and Premiership competitions, international sporting events, concerts and entertainment acts.
From January 17 to February 12, 2006, Waterfront City, Docklands will be the heart of a four-week series of celebrations commemorating the first-ever Melbourne stopover on the Volvo Ocean Race 2005-2006 (www.melbournestopover.com.au). A program of activities will focus around four peak weekends:
- January 21 and 22, 2006: Official Welcome Celebration (Leg Two finish)
- January 26 to 29 2006: Australia Day Long Weekend
- February 4 and 5, 2006: In-Port "fleet" Racing
- February 11 and 12, 2006: Departure (and start of Leg Three)
For yachting aficionados, this is your opportunity to see the sleek Volvo 70s up close, meet the sailors, and visit the interactive displays while enjoying live entertainment, on-water activities, food and wine festivities and the Summer Boat Show.
Later on Docklands will be showcased as one of the venues for the Melbourne 2006 Commonwealth Games (March 15 to 26, 2006; www.melbourne2006.com.au). Visitors can soak up the lively atmosphere of the Commonwealth Games, including the Queen's Baton Relay, a live screenings, Melbourne Festival -- The Zone, Rugby 7's, Men's and Women's 20km- and 50km-walk events and part of the marathon.
A dynamic Docklands urban art program adds a cultural slant to your visit. There are close to 30 spectacular, large-scale pieces of urban art scattered about as you walk or drive around the Docklands. Pick up the Art Journey - Melbourne Docklands Public Art Walk brochure from The Hub on Waterview Walk and take the urban art journey (or download a map that includes most of the major pieces at www.docklands.com/docklands/visit/gettingaround/pdfs/visitors_map3.pdf). You will discover a broad range of art, ranging from bold large-scale pieces, to detailed work integrated with the external facades of buildings, functional elements and streetscape. Once displayed on Paris's famed Champs Elysee, "Cow up a Tree" is one sculptural highlight. Located in Grand Plaza, Harbour Esplanade, the piece by John Kelly is a 24-foot high sculpture that is, basically, a cow up a tree.
For more information about Melbourne Docklands visit www.docklands.com.
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