High Culture - Low Cost - Melbourne, Australia
Guest Author: Tara Skipp at Champagne Travel on A Beer Budget
Melbourne, Australia - getting some culture isn’t as expensive as you think!
Have you indulged in one too many reality TV shows or trashy magazines and feel like its time to balance out your culture karma?
Melbourne is a city with culture opportunities aplenty… and the best part? A full day of culture-immersion won’t set you back much more than the change in your pocket.
So, if you want to experience Melbourne’s high brow offerings, here are my suggestions:
1. Jump aboard the Melbourne Tourist Shuttle. It will take you right around the CBD and outskirts, with plenty of opportunities to jump-on/jump-off at most of the attractions listed below. It will also help you to gather your bearings and learn about the history of the city. Cost: free
2. Get along to Federation Square. Apart from being quite an ogle-worthy piece of architecture and one of the newest feathers in Melbourne’s hat, the tourist office is right next door. This has to be one of the best and most informative tourist offices I’ve seen. It is here that you will grab the brochures, maps and information books you’ll need for your day of culture. Cost: free
3. Take in an exhibition or two. The State Library of Victoria shows both traditional exhibitions and new media displays within its galleries, while Federation Square always has at least one exhibition of some form on display. Entry is also free to the National Gallery & other galleries around town. A full listing of current exhibitions can be found at the tourist information office. Cost: free
4. Browse through a selection of original art works, craft and gourmet foods. Every Sunday, The Arts Centre hosts the Sunday Market. Browse the works of some of the cities finest, albeit currently undiscovered, artists. Cost: free
5. Now it is time for lunch and a show. A fabulous Melbourne institution is the Lunchtime Theatre. Show, soup & bread will set you back a measly $5.
6. Tour the laneways. As with many cities, it is along the hidden lane ways and alleys where you will find quirky little shops, live music and other unforgettable memories that you won’t get to see from the window of a tour bus. Why not download this great podcast and let it guide you through the hidden gems of Melbourne that many people miss.
7. End the day with a culinary feast. You don’t want to leave Melbourne without indulging in some Italian cuisine from one of the many restaurants in Lygon Street, Carlton. And although you could probably afford to splurge a little on dinner after barely spending a cent all day, you can enjoy world class fare very affordably in this foodie-heaven street. Cost: specials spotted recently in Lygon St include soup, garlic bread, pasta & a glass of wine for $17 and a generous slice of cake & a coffee for $5.
Originally posted by the fabulous Tara Skipp at Champagne Travel on A Beer Budget. Want to join the jet-set and become a savvy traveller? Want luxury travel for minimum expense? Let us show you the way… Champagne Travel on a Beer Budget reports from around the globe on how to enjoy the finer things in life for the price of a cold one. Follow Tara on Twitter
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Melbourne is one of the Wine capitals of the world. There are five wine regions within an hours drive of the city. But to try some wine without leaving the city try the Victorian Regional Wine Showcase held on the first Wednesday and Thursday of the month. See details at http://www.vinodiversity.com/victorian-wine-regions.html