Tall Buildings, Graffiti Lanes, and Beetlejuice

This week, let’s go back to the land down unda and head to the big city of Melbourne. We’ll see tall buildings, graffiti lanes and Beetlejuice! Just be sure NOT to say that out loud 3 times.

Getting there

As the Great Ocean Road faded into our rear view, the tall buildings of Melbourne came into view. Though Stephen felt pretty confident driving on the left on a two lane road, this city was something else all together. I honestly felt like some of the roads were built on a diagonal.

Sky scrapers and a road leading to them. It’s Melbourne, Australia. — Heading into Melbourne

Queen Victoria Market

Our first stop of the day was the Queen Victoria Market that has indoor and outdoor spaces. They had everything from fresh fruit to hats made from kangaroo. I had to pick up a couple of things there since their prices were AMAZING!

An outdoor lane way at the Queen Victoria Market. Vendor stalls line either side and the tall buildings of Melbourne are seen in the background. — So. Many. Hats.

After passing all the fresh food stalls and bakeries at the market, we were starting to feel a might peckish. We landed at the super cozy Hideaway restaurant.

Breakfast meal of eggs on toast with avocado, on a white, round dish, on a wooden table. — Avocado eggs. Yes, please!

The Library

One of the top sites in Melbourne is their public library. And if you know me and books, I was ALL about it!

Melbourne public library. Stone building with classical columns supporting a peaked roof. — State Library Victoria

Hundreds of books on black book cases. Above it are quotes about books and libraries. — Words of Wisdom

Domed room over four levels with long, wooden reading tables on the main floor — The LaTrobe Reading Room!

Graffiti Lanes

In Melbourne, practically every alley is covered in graffiti art. We spent HOURS strolling the lane ways and enjoying the temporal exhibits.

Man standing in front of graffiti art, displaying a triangle with a smiling face in the middle of it — Stephen strolling the lanes

Graffiti art of Angus Young from AC/DC but instead of AC/DC the letter are ME/LB as in Melbourne. — Stephen strolling the lanes

Lunch in the Arcade

One of the lanes we turned on became the Block Arcade shopping mall. The space was so beautiful, we had to stop for lunch at one of the cozy cafes.

Shops under a glass roof In the Block Arcade — Shops at the Block Arcade

Cafes with outdoor seating, under a glass roof at the Block Arcade — Shops at the Block Arcade

Happy Hour along the Yarra

After heading back to our room for a quick change, we walked along the Yarra river. You may be surprised to hear that we found a lovely place to sit and enjoy an adult beverage.

Outdoor statue of a face. The colors were made by tiny tiles and it looks like Picasso could have made it. — Outdoor art along the Yarra

Two wine glasses with white wine in them, on a wooden table — Outdoor art along the Yarra

A three masted ship moored in the Yarra river. The tall buildings of Melbourne are visible behind it. — A Ship on the Yarra

Check out the View ABOVE the Tall Buildings

Now fully hydrated, we headed to the Sky Deck to enjoy the view from above all the tall buildings. This place had a really relaxed vibe AND they had a cocktail bar. We call this a “win-win”!

One of the tall buildings in Melbourne. It’s the Eureka Tower, home to the Sky Deck. — The Eureka Tower

Sign the reads “Sky Deck” attached to the wall of the modern Eureka Tower — The Eureka Tower

Checking out Ponyfish Island

Since we had a little time before our dinner reservations, we thought we check out Ponyfish Island. I know it sounds like a place of fun wildlife. But it’s actually a super fun restaurant on the Yarra river. We enjoyed some sips there, while meeting some of the folks about town.

Woman in a black dress standing next to a sign that shows the menus for Pony Fish Island — Pony Fish Island, here we come!

Man and women, holding glasses like their toasting. Behind them you can see the Yarra River and the tall buildings of Melbourne — Pony Fish Island, here we come!

Dinner with a View

For us, a good restaurant has to have a 50 / 50 ratio. The food must be good and so must the vibe / view. LaCamera Italian Restaurant delivered on BOTH fronts! (Get it? Pizza…delivered.)

Hand tossed pizza with red sauce, basil, and sausage — That was some good Za!!

View of the tall buildings along the Yarra river in Melbourne, lit up for the night. — That was some good Za!!

Music from the Underworld

And to end the night? Beetlejuice, Beetlejuice, Better not say THAT name again! What a FUN show. We HIGHLY recommend it.

Lobby of the Regent Theater. There is a sign that reads “Welcome to the Netherworld”. — Welcome to the Regent Theater AND the Netherworld

Interior of the Regent Theater, lit in purple and green lights for the play Beetlejuice — Beetlejuice, Beetlejuice

Neon sign on the stage of the Regent Theater that reads “Betelgeuse Betelgeuse” — Beetlejuice, Beetlejuice

And that was JUST day one in the amazing town of Melbourne! More fun to come, including some very famous artist from Boston.

Thanks for joining us this week for a peek at the tall buildings, graffiti lanes and of course Beetlejuice! If you didn’t already know it, The Travel Oracle has its own Facebook page. If you haven’t checked it out, you might really dig the content. Not only will you spy the our latest content, you’ll see updates from all our “Golden Pelican” award winners – like Stephen King, Fraunces Tavern and the Grand Hotel.

Until next time!