Frommer's Review
You have to get into Federation Square, physically, to appreciate it. The controversial design -- Melbournians either love it or hate it (I fall into the former category) -- has given the city a gathering place, and you only have to visit at the weekends to see that it works. A conglomerate of attractions are centered on a large open piazza-style area cobbled with misshapen paving. Here you'll find the The Ian Potter Centre: NGV Australia, the Australian Centre for the Moving Image (ACMI), and a one-stop Visitor Centre. The three-level National Gallery of Victoria contains the largest collection of Australian art in the country, including works by Sidney Nolan, Russell Drysdale, and Tom Roberts, as well as Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders. The Gallery is a major focus for art festivals and special events. Many cafes and coffee shops operate throughout the precinct. The ACMI has two state-of-the-art cinemas and large areas where visitors can view movies, videos, and digital media. It's worth visiting "Fed Square" just to see the architecture, made up of strange geometrical designs, and the glassed atrium. Lots of events happen in the square's 450-seat amphitheater, including theatrical performances and free concerts. Other events take place on the plaza and along the banks of the Yarra River.
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planning your trip.
