South Melbourne Beach: A Tram Ride Away

South Melbourne Beach: A Tram Ride Away

         South Melbourne Beach is a sandy beach which is a few kilometers away from Melbourne Central Business District (CBD). It is only a tram ride away with one station right across Melbourne Central Mall. Trams bound for South Melbourne Beach stop at this station every 12 minutes. In about 20 minutes, commuters are at the terminal at the end of Victoria Street in the suburb of Albert Park.

Melbourne Central Station

Melbourne Central Mall.  The underground Melbourne Central Station is connected to the Mall.

Tram station across Melbourne Central Mall. Trams bound for South Melbourne Beach stop here and pick up commuters.

 Tram  is a popular mode of transportation in the city.

         

Trams bound for South Melbourne Beach also pick up commuters  in front of Federation Square and across Flinders Street Station.

The tram terminal at the end of  Victoria Street in the suburb of Albert Park

         Easily noticeable is a long pier made of timber. It is actually a heritage structure, having been built in 1889. Seagulls perch on its railings and boardwalk as the blue waves slam the sturdy posts. Near the pier is the Albert Park Yachting and Angling  Club. A few meters away is a restaurant with a good view of the bay. Several meters away at the foreshore is an area reserved for those who want to play beach volleyball. South Melbourne Beach is a patrolled beach.

South Melbourne Beach

The long, wooden pier

The pier is made of timber.

Near the pier

Albert Park Yachting and Angling Club

Resto with a good view of the bay

Looking at the direction of Port Melbourne

 Looking towards St. Kilda

Rescue unit on standby

Buggy used by lifesaving club

Volleyball is a preferred activity at South Melbourne Beach

Friendly games

Another friendly competition is about to start.

Warning signage

The Spirit of Tasmania and another cruise ship docked at the nearby Port Melbourne

         Side by side with Middle Park, South Melbourne Beach is part of a 4km long beach. Activities include surfing, fishing and, of course, swimming. There is a playground located between the low sea wall and the paved walkway. There is a bike lane. Bicycles with helmets are rented out for $5. Joggers and promenaders frequent South Melbourne Beach.

The Plum Garland Memorial Playground near the paved walkway

The playground was named after a popular local bartender who worked at the hotel across the beach.

Stainless bicycle racks

Bicycles with helmets  for hire for $5

Bicycle lane

Palm trees line the principal road which is Beaconsfield Parade,

Jogging lane

The South Melbourne Life Saving Club adopts safety measures to minimize untoward incidents in the area.  

Dollies Coffee sold here

          Across the beach are houses, hotels and apartments with a good view of Port Phillip Bay. Along Victoria Street are cafes, restaurants and other business establishments. Travelers or visitors may dine at one of the fine eateries in the area and savor the good food and drinks served. And they don't have to worry traveling back to the city. The tram station is just a few meters away.

- Konted

The Beach Hotel along Beaconsfield Parade. It is across South Melbourne Beach.

Hotel Victoria across the pier. It was built in 1888.

Houses along Beaconsfield Parade with beachfront views

With Victorian architectural design

Apartment style dwelling across South Melbourne Beach

Victoria Street is Albert Park's principal road which is perpendicular to South Melbourne Beach. There is a cluster of cafes and restaurants along Victoria Street.

Stavros Tavern serves Greek food

Serving Vietnamese noodle soup

With a good view of Port Phillip Bay

Try their fish n chips

Dessert restaurant

Victorian style

Usual bungalow in the Albert Park suburb

    Waiting for tram

Tram bound for the city

Back to the city proper in 20 minutes

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Old Buildings and Beautiful Gardens Of Melbourne

Old Buildings and Beautiful Gardens Of Melbourne

          I held my myki card as I approached the exit at the old Flinders Train Station and made a successful 'touch-off'. I wanted to spend the day taking photos of some old buildings and beautiful gardens right in the heart of Melbourne. I took Flinders Street, walked straight ahead and turned left at Spring Street. I saw an old building, waited for the green pedestrian light and finally positioned myself at a vantage point while aiming with my digicam. But I was distracted by a Hummer and two vintage cars waiting for the green light. I made three quick successive shots of the vehicles before they sped off.

The original Flinders Street Station opened in 1854. It was the first city railway station in Australia. The present structure was completed in 1909.

Two vintage cars wait for the green light at Spring Street.

Closer shot

The Hummer is an eye catcher.

         Back to the old building. It is a historic one. It is called Old Treasury Building. In the days of The Gold Rush in the 1800s, the city was called Marvelous Melbourne. It was the world's richest city. Tons of gold were being transported to the city from the Goldfields Region. This was more than California's gold. The gold haul was kept at the basement of the Old Treasury Building. Grand buildings with Georgian and Victorian designs were built with beautiful gardens and reserves around them.

The Old Treasury Building. Gold was kept in its basement during the Gold Rush in the 1800s.

When the Treasury Department moved elsewhere, the old Treasury Bldg became a museum.  It is now a favorite wedding venue. Exhibitions are regularly held here.

Two weddings at the Old Treasury Bldg

Photo of the Old Treasury Bldg taken from the right flank.

Onlookers mill around the Lincoln Limousine parked in front of the Old Treasury Bldg.

Lincoln Limousine is used as bridal car.

Part of the wedding entourage

The Treasury Gardens near the Old Treasury Bldg.  It is one of the most visited gardens of Melbourne.

Pond with fountains at the Treasury Gardens which has a land area of almost 6 hectares.

Monument to Sir William Clarke who was President of Melbourne International Exhibition in 1880-1881.. The monument has a Grecian style. Sir William Clarke was once the largest landowner in the colony of Victoria.

          To the right of the Old Treasury Building is another old building which is equally historic and significant. It is the seat of power of the State of Victoria. Members of Parliament and the State Prime Minister hold office in this massive structure which is perhaps one of the most photographed in the city of Melbourne. Across the street, which is a litlle to the left, is another historic edifice built in 1894. This is Hotel Windsor where the Constitution of Australia was drafted in 1898.

Parliament House at Spring Street

Parliament House was constructed in the 1800s. It is the seat of power of the State of Victoria.

The water fountain at Gordon Reserve near the Old Treassury Bldg and Parliament.

Statue of Adam Lindsay Gordon at the Gordon Reserve. Gordon was a poet and race jockey. He was also a Member of Parliament.

Hotel Windsor is a 5-star luxury hotel built in 1884. It is historic as the Constitution of Australia was drafted here in 1898.

The City Circle Tram has a station right in front of Parliament. The tram ride is free .

There are other trams that pass through Spring Street.

          At St. Kilda Road, right after crossing Princes Bridge, is another beautiful garden. It is called Queen Victoria Gardens. It occupies a vast tract of land that extends to several other gardens. Monuments of Queen Victoria and King Edward VII can be seen. The place exudes serenity. There are benches where promenaders can rest while appreciating the beauty of the flowers that abound in the area. Birds are almost everywhere. To the left of Queen Victoria Gardens is Alexandra Gardens. To the right is Kings Domain. Across is the National Gallery of Victoria.

The floral clock in front of King Edward VII monument at the Queen Victoria Gardens.

King Edward VII was the eldest son of Queen Victoria of England. He assumed the throne upon the death of Queen Victoria in 1901. He was often referred to as " the Peacemaker".

More flowers

King Edward VII's statue taken from the rear

Queen Victoria's monument at the Queen Victoria Gardens in Melbourne. She was well loved by her subjects.

Beautiful flowers around the monument of Queen Victoria

Photo of the statue of Queen Victoria as taken from the rear.

Ornamental lake at Queen Victoria Gardens

A horse-drawn carriage about to turn left at the Queen Victoria Gardens.

The sprinkling fountain at the Kings Domain near Queen Victoria Gardens.

The Alexandra Gardens near the Yarra River. It was named after Queen Alexandra who was the wife of King Edward VII.

The National Gallery of Victoria right across Queen Victoria Gardens at St. Kilda Road

Shuttle for tourists parked near the National Gallery of Victoria. The $5 ride is good for 24 hours. Bus goes around the city, making brief stops at interesting places and tourist attractions. Tourists may hop on, hop off at any designated station.

          It was late afternoon when I realized that it was time to go home. But I remembered that there is another old building on Swanston Street. This is the old Melbourne Town Hall built in 1870. And another one near it. I quickly changed my cadence and made it there in 10 minutes. After my work was done, I headed back to Flinders Street Station. With my backpack, I walked down to Platform 4. I could hear a voice over: "The next train bound for Watergardens will leave at 4:59, stopping at all stations." I was slumped at the steel bench near a Coke vendo machine. My leg muscles were aching. Yet what I covered was just a drop in the bucket. Never mind. There will be another time.

- Konted

Melbourne Town Hall was built in 1870. It is located along Swanston Street.

The old General Post Office (GPO) Building at the corner of Bourke Street and Elizabeth Street. It was built in 1859. It is referred to as Kilometer Zero as distances of places from Melbourne are measured starting from this point. The old GPO  building now houses H & M.

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