1. Lacking energy? Start the day with a refreshing and rejuvenating Tai Chi session at Federation Square.
Exercise your mind, body and soul with expert instructors in Fed Square. Tai Chi is a type of martial art and very well known for its defence techniques and health benefits. The martial art has evolved over the years into an effective means of alleviating stress and anxiety. It has been considered to be a form of ‘meditation in motion’ which promotes serenity and inner peace.
Dates: 8 Dec 2014 through to 29 Dec 2015
Time: Every Tuesday between 7:30am until 8.30am (Starting times may vary for different dates. Please see the website for accurate information)
Cost: FREE
Address: Federation Square, Corner Flinders and Swanston Streets, Melbourne.
Website: www.visitmelbourne.com/regions/Melbourne/Events/Lifestyle/Tai-Chi-at-Fed-Square.aspx
OR try a calming and empowering meditation session at Federation Square.
Start the day with a focused mind by practicing half an hour of meditation – recharge the mind with harmony, transparency and balance.
You will be guided through gentle commentary, peaceful music in a quiet area.
Suitable both for experienced meditators and those new to meditation.
Dates: 5 Feb 2015 – 10 Dec 2015
Time: Every Thursday at 8am at the Atrium in Federation Square. (Starting times may vary for different dates. Please see the website for accurate information)
Cost: FREE
Address: The Atrium at Federation Square, Corner of Swanston and Flinders Streets, Melbourne
Email: [email protected]
Websites: www.calminthecity.org.au
www.visitmelbourne.com/regions/Melbourne/Events/Lifestyle/Meditation-at-Federation-Square.aspx
There is disabled access.
2. Pick up the pace on a free walking tour around the world’s most liveable city!
Explore and enjoy the sights of Melbourne in 2½ – 3 hours by foot in rain, hail or shine! There is no need to book, just show up and look for a guide in a bright green t-shirt.
Time: 10:30am and 2:30pm
Cost: FREE
Tour starts: At the statue of Sir Redmond Barry in front of the State Library of Victoria: 328 Swanston St, Melbourne.
Website: www.imfree.com.au/melbourne
3. Discover why Melbourne is known as the garden state in Australia.
Take a picnic and sit in the Botanical Gardens – there is always something on! Stay in touch by clicking on the below link.
The Global girls recommend a walk and then a bite at the beautiful Jardin Tan – www.jardintan.com.au
Some fast facts, thanks to www.rbgsyd.nsw.gov.au/annan/fast_facts –
Size of Garden: 416 hectares
Annual visitation: 331,032
Number of plant species: 2,000+
Number of plant specimens: 63,094
Cost: FREE
Website: www.rbg.vic.gov.au/whats-on
4. Get lost in the fascinating & iconic Melbourne arcades & laneways.
Be indulged in a cultural abundance, in amongst the city streets – boutique one-off shops, delicious eateries and quirky bars nestle side-by-side in laneways threading throughout the city. Check out the warm character and old charm in each of the arcades. Start your journey by downloading the easy to follow map below.
Cost: FREE
Downloadable Map: www.thatsmelbourne.com.au/visitors/Documents/Melbourne_ArcadesLanes.pdf
Website: www.thatsmelbourne.com.au/Placestogo/LanewaysandArcades/Pages/LanewaysandArcades.aspx
5. Eat, shop and explore the Queen Victoria Market.
Soak up the atmosphere of the largest open-air market in the Southern Hemisphere. Known as the ‘Vic Market’ or ‘Queen Vic’, the Queen Victoria Market has been the heart of Melbourne for over a century. This vibrant, inner-city market is a historic landmark spread over two city blocks. Shop ‘til you drop for everything from Australian fruit and vegetables, and local and imported gourmet foods, to cosmetics, clothing and souvenirs.
Opening hours:
Monday: Closed
Tuesday: 6am – 2pm
Wednesday: Closed
Thursday: 6am – 2pm
Friday: 6am – 5pm
Saturday: 6am – 3pm
Sunday: 9am – 4pm
Cost: FREE
Address: Corner of Elizabeth & Victoria Streets, Melbourne.
Website: www.qvm.com.au
6. Count the shapes in Federation Square.
There is no way you can miss Federation Square – a fantastic meeting place, a major cultural attraction for world-class events & experiences, combined with an exceptional array of bars, restaurants and history.
Designed and opened in 2002, Fed Square is one of the most visited attractions in the city, hosting over 2000 events each year, it has more than 10 million visits per year!
There are free tourist services at the Melbourne Visitor Centre located at the front of Fed Square.
Cost: FREE
Address: Federation Square, Corner Flinders and Swanston Streets, Melbourne.
Website: www.fedsquare.com
7. Hop on, hop off the City Circle Tram.
Keep an eye out for the classic trams decked out in maroon and green with yellow and gold trimmings. Get comfortable with your surroundings by taking the tram around Melbourne. An audio tour guide will point out all of the landmarks and attractions such as the City Museum, Parliament House, Docklands, Federation Square, Melbourne Aquarium and the Princess Theatre. Pick up a map from the tram and spend the day hopping on and off at different points, enjoying the sites of Melbourne.
Cost: FREE
To catch the free City Circle Tram service (route number 35): Board the tram at any of the specially marked stops on the route.
Website: www.fedsquare.com
8. Bring out your inner geek by a visit to the State Library of Victoria.
Founded by 1854, the State Library of Victoria was a vision for the original library was ambitious – to contain the ‘best of everything’ and become ‘a great emporium of learning and philosophy, of literature, science, and art’. The Library’s collection goes well beyond books – It holds thousands of significant items reflecting Victoria’s cultural and social heritage, including historical documents such as John Batman’s journal, unique objects such as Ned Kelly’s armour, and paintings such as William Strutt’s Black Thursday, February 6th, 1851.
Cost: FREE
To catch the free City Circle Tram service (route number 35): Board the tram at any of the specially marked stops on the route.
Website: www.fedsquare.com
9. Get your bathers on and choose your favourite bathing box in Brighton.
Located in the Melbourne suburb of Brighton, Port Phillip Bay, you will find privately owned bathing boxes which were built and have been unchanged for well over a century. 82 of these uniformly proportioned wooden structures line the foreshore at Brighton Beach. Make sure you bring your camera!
Cost: FREE
Getting there: Catch the Sandringham train and get off at Brighton Beach.
Website: www.brightonbathingbox.org.au
10. Take a break with a coffee or gelato at some iconic streets in Melbourne.
Getting there: Lygon St, Carlton, Laneways in Melbourne OR Acland St, St Kilda (visit Luna Park whilst in the area)
Websites: www.thatsmelbourne.com.au/Placestogo/Precincts_Neighbourhoods/LygonStreet/Pages/LygonStreet.aspx
