Must See Sights and Landmarks in Portarlington Area

"Spend the day hopping between eclectic cafes and small shops, and explore iconic places such as the State Parliament buildings, Shrine of Remembrance, Federation Square, Arts Centre, Yarra River, Fitzroy Garden and St Patrick’s Cathedral. Take advantage of the free tram service around the City Circle loop to get around!"

"The Shrine of Remembrance (commonly referred to as The Shrine) is a war memorial built in honour of the men that fought in World War I. It now functions as a memorial for all Australians who have been sent to war. The Shrine was built during the great depression and construction relied heavily on public contributions."

"The Old Melbourne Gaol operated from 1824 to 1929, and was the scene of 133 hangings, including that of the notorious gang leader, Ned Kelly. Now it’s open as a museum and allows you to walk through the cells, see the stocks and learn about its grisly past. They operate day tours and ghost tours."

"One of the most interesting historical sites in Melbourne is the Old Melbourne Gaol. It was in use from 1842 to 1929 and was ‘home’ to some of Australia’s most notorious criminals, including bushranger Ned Kelly. Oh, the stories it could tell!"

"Created to reach for the sky, nothing you have ever experienced will prepare you for the awe inspiring view of Melbourne from the Southern Hemisphere’s highest viewing platform. The Skydeck features thirty viewfinders that help visitors to pinpoint numerous significant landmarks around all parts of Melbourne, along with several free binoculars. Tommy Ooi’s Traveling Tips"

"Eureka Tower – offers stunning views from the highest observation deck in the southern hemisphere, Eureka Skydeck at 297 metres/88 floors. I recommend going up just on sun down so you experience Melbourne by day and as it slips into night."

"As the birthplace of Aussie Rules Football and the site of such famous venues as the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG), Rod Laver Arena and Flemington Racecourse, a sports tour of Melbourne will let you get a behind-the-scenes look at these world class sporting venues. You'll visit famous sights including the MCG and Rod Laver Arena as well as the National Sports Museum to see memorabilia and learn about the city and the country's history and love of sport."

"Melbourne loves sports - and the Melbourne Cricket Ground is the sports capital of the nation. Commonly referred to as ‘The G’ it is the largest stadium in the southern hemisphere and the 10th largest in the world. Founded in 1853 by the Melbourne Cricket Club, the MCG has since hosted the 1956 Summer Olympics, two cricket world cups, and The Commonwealth Games."

"While Sydney has the Opera House (pfft), Melbourne has Flinders Street Station. Operating as the hub of the metropolitan train network, this city icon welcomes thousands of workers into the city every day. The station is also Melbourne's most popular meeting place."

"But on those amazing evenings when the setting sun really lights up the clouds, the colourful sky can add even more to your Flinders Street Station photos."

"The Mission to Seafarers, Victoria, active from 1857, has operated since 1917 from the heritage-listed building, 717 Flinders St, on the banks of the River Yarra. The Mission is highly regarded for its long and continuing service to those who live and work at sea. Guided tours available or casual visits are welcome 365 days of the year, refreshments available."

"For a really quirky interaction with Melbourne’s artistic scene, head to the eastern suburb of Kew to Lyon Housemuseum. The gallery consists of two distinct sections; the first being the original house museum, which is where founders Corbett and Yueji Lyon live and which can only be visited on pre-booked tours held on certain days of the year. The second space is the newly-opened public Housemuseum Galleries."

"This remarkable family home is also one of Australia’s most unique exhibition spaces. Lyon Housemuseum belongs to art patrons Corbett and Yueji Lyon, who open it up for pre-booked tours on select days of the year so that people can enjoy their exquisite private art collection. In 2019 they also opened a completely public gallery showcasing national and international exhibitions."

"What makes the Lyon Housemuseum so interesting is that it truly is both the things the name suggests – a house and a museum. It’s now made up of two adjacent sections. The first is the original Housemuseum that’s the private home of the founding patrons, with residential areas blending with exhibitions."

"A lot more than you might think, as this 1980s building extends five floors underground and includes three theatres. Take a peek inside Hamer Hall on the virtual tour, or watch a clip about the iconic performing arts collection. The collection includes over 500 pieces of Australia’s performing arts history, including Kylie’s famous hot pants!"

"Spend the day hopping between eclectic cafes and small shops, and explore iconic places such as the State Parliament buildings, Shrine of Remembrance, Federation Square, Arts Centre, Yarra River, Fitzroy Garden and St Patrick’s Cathedral. Take advantage of the free tram service around the City Circle loop to get around!"

"This is one of those spots which only really works when there is some cloud in the sky to light up. With the sunsetting to the far left, when conditions are right the colours in the sky over Flinders Street Station, St Paul’s Cathedral and high rises beyond can be spectacular."

"For a really quirky interaction with Melbourne’s artistic scene, head to the eastern suburb of Kew to Lyon Housemuseum. The gallery consists of two distinct sections; the first being the original house museum, which is where founders Corbett and Yueji Lyon live and which can only be visited on pre-booked tours held on certain days of the year. The second space is the newly-opened public Housemuseum Galleries."

"This remarkable family home is also one of Australia’s most unique exhibition spaces. Lyon Housemuseum belongs to art patrons Corbett and Yueji Lyon, who open it up for pre-booked tours on select days of the year so that people can enjoy their exquisite private art collection. In 2019 they also opened a completely public gallery showcasing national and international exhibitions."

"What makes the Lyon Housemuseum so interesting is that it truly is both the things the name suggests – a house and a museum. It’s now made up of two adjacent sections. The first is the original Housemuseum that’s the private home of the founding patrons, with residential areas blending with exhibitions."

"The geometric, zinc-clad home of Melbourne art collectors Charles and Leah Justin doubles as the Justin Art House Museum. Book ahead for a private tour of the couple's dynamic collection of contemporary art, consisting of more than 250 pieces amassed over four decades. There's a strong emphasis on video and digital art, with the works rotated regularly. Guided tours take around two hours. The house was designed by the couple's daughter, Elisa."

"Buxton Contemporary is the result of a landmark gift from renowned art collector Michael Buxton, who in 2014 donated 350 major Australian artworks to form a new gallery. Adjoining the Victorian College of the Arts, the gallery comprises four exhibition galleries plus a huge outdoor screen devoted to moving image art. The gallery’s acquisitions tend to follow a smaller number of artists in depth and over time, building a rich insight into their changing practice."

"The Moon Dog Brewery comes with a rags-to-riches story about how owners Jake, Josh and Karl opened their Abbotsford micro-brewery with a fistful of coins and a bucketful of determination. Now a household name in the craft beer scene and with changed fortunes under their belt, they haven’t forgotten their roots. Comfy couches and ramshackle style seating provide a chilled vibe in their warehouse pub to harbor a bottle of their Love Tap lager, Old Mate pale ale and Mack Daddy dark ale."

"From humble beginnings in a backyard on Henry Street, this tiny artisan microbrewery in Kensington hand crafts a tasty range of beers and ales. With five core beers always available, the guys at Henry Street add to their line up throughout the year with seasonal and one-off brews that come from the beer epiphanies that strike the brewers in the house. The Brewery Bar at 5/38 Barrett Street, Kensington is open regularly."