Melbourne, Day Two

I was up relatively early the next morning to go out for a wander and spent a bit of time chatting with my AirBnB host in her fabulous net loft.

I was staying here, in a building that was originally built as low-income housing for actors by a philanthropist in 1883. It was lovely!

I was right on the edge of Chinatown, so I took a few pictures as I wandered.

Christmas in summer is actually kind of fantastic.

This is St. Francis Church, the oldest Roman Catholic Church in the region. It was built between 1841 and 1845 on the site of an older church. 

Loved this art deco building.

My first destination was the Queen Victoria Market, a fabulous and massive indoor/outdoor market.

Just one of the aisles in the food market section.

Out in the open air section, where you can find pretty much anything.

So pretty!

Tiny free library!

I thought this was cute. My descent into pseudo-hipsterdom continues.

On the way back to my home base, I wandered through some alleyways.

There are so many little restaurants tucked away, I'm really looking forward to going back and exploring more.

Ten years ago I went to London for an acting intensive, and while I was there I made a friend who is originally from Melbourne. She's back in town after spending a few years in the UK, so we met up to catch up. First off, gawking at this very impressive Lego sculpture in Federation Square.

We went to the Australian Centre for the Moving Image to see a costume exhibition of the works of Orry-Kelly, a local boy who made good as a designer in Hollywood. The collection was very impressive!

After wandering through the exhibit we continued on to the exhibits on the Australian film industry. Below, a replica of one of the original Mad Max cars.

The windmill prop from Moulin Rouge!

One of the costumes Cate Blanchett wore in Elizabeth, and the Oscar she won for The Aviator.

That's the Forum Theatre on the corner.

We took a nice walk up and down the Yarra River, which was quite lovely (albeit hot and full of flies).

Fans of Miss Fisher's Murder Mysteries will recognize the boathouses.

On the edge of the botanic gardens. Didn't have too much time to explore, but looking forward to future expeditions.

I'm a sucker for horse-drawn carriages, what can I say.

Looking back toward the CBD.

Bar under the bridge!

A back view of Flinders Street Station.

Old and new.

Another fun little bar.

I love all the funky old buildings here.

The Bourke Street Mall, all dolled up for Christmas.

We tried to fit the State Library of Victoria, but had just missed the closing. We did meet this adorable little bunyip outside the library. In Aboriginal folklore, the bunyip is a bogey man, monster, or devil-type. I think this one is pretty harmless, though.