Melbourne - Part Two

This photo was taken on the 55th floor of Rialto Tower (Collins Street), one of the tallest buildings in the Southern hemisphere. From there you can obtain a breathtaking perspective of the huge development efforts that are underway in Melbourne's new Docklands area. There are a couple of meshed balconies accessible to visitors on the observation floor which make for some great pics of the city. The visit is $15 per adult.

A 30 minute stroll past Collins Street leads you to the completed section of Docklands. These photos were taken at NewQuay, a waterfront precinct where there are great views of the harbour and a range of restaurants and cafes.




Still in Docklands, this is the waterfront in NewQuay. We had a Moroccan dinner at Mecca Bah, a dim restaurant with some plush sofas shared between tables and awesome night time views through its large glassed windows. Upstairs in the same building is Livebait, a seafood restaurant. There are plenty of interesting artworks scattered through Docklands. I thought these looked cute at night.

If it's artwork you want, or perhaps an alternative culture, then why not explore the hidden alleyways of the city? Start in Flinders Lane, a sophisticated lane with some truly expensive designer boutiques. Then, turn left into the subversive universe pictured below. This particular lane was cramped with bars, cafes and secret basements.
For something more sedate, you must try Hardware Lane, off Bourke Street. It has a more European feel and is lined with a gaggle of ambient restaurants. It reminded me a little of some places in Milan. There are a number of hidden lanes in Melbourne where nightlife looked promising but I didn't have the time to indulge my seedy side. Perhaps next time...