That’s St Patrick’s Catholic cathedral, which didn’t charge $5 for a ‘photography’ license like the Anglican cathedral in town (St Paul’s). From the outside I found St Patrick’s more impressive, but I have to admit St Paul’s was prettier inside and I probably should have sprung for the license! As always, we lit candles for mum and dad 🙂
Melbourne Gaol is a must-visit if your ever here. It’s not large, but is a well presented look at Australian penal life back in the mid-late 1880s. Many of the prisoner stories involve the goldfields, and many are sad and leave some doubt as to the guilt of the (often executed) inmates.
Prisoners were housed alone in tiny cells and silence was enforced at all times, even when they worked alongside their fellow inmates. In addition they wore cloth masks to even hide their faces to enforce separation. It was a bleak existence.
The prison is most famous for once housing and eventually executing Australia’s infamous ‘bushranger’ Ned Kelly.
He’s a blog post unto himself, but I was very impressed with the detailed history the gaol presented, as well as discussion of his legacy within a modern context.
Oh, and you can buy loads of Ned Kelly souvenirs in the gift store ?
That’s a view toward the docklands pier, slightly south of the city. Can you guess why we visited? Here’s a hint:
‘Melbourne Star’ it’s called. It’s 40 stories tall, takes half an hour to go around and costs $36 a ‘flight’!
I really enjoyed this. It’s slow and very smooth, and there’s plenty of time to appreciate the views. Since there weren’t many riders, we got a car to ourselves (they hold 20) and enjoyed the ride.
However I have to say the view – which is mostly industrial expanses or construction – leaves a little to be desired. Had this been built downtown on the Yarra river it would have been a tourist magnet. Out on the far side of the docklands though, it’s probably not a must-do 🙂
I’m getting my dreaded ‘Australian visit sore throat’ as well. I’ve already begun an intense treatment of medicated lozenges and frozen cokes to feel better. Let’s hope it works!
I wonder if it’s the sleep depravation/multitude of germs on the planes, the extreme temperature change from snowy winter to scorching summer, or if there’s just something different in the air here that irritates your no longer immune throat. Keep up the “treatment” 🙂
We are loving the blog. Keep up the good work. We see a lot of the country that we have never seen. We have seen St Patrick’s Cathedral and we think it is beautiful.