Moomba - March 14

This is Labour Day in "Melbn." It is a Public Holiday. It is also the final day of the Moomba Festival.

I still don't know what "Moomba" means , but it is a big deal around here.

With 4.2 million inhabitants, Melbourne is a Big City. It was established in the early 1800's (after 30,000 or 40,000 years of occupation by the Aborigines), by two men named Faulkner and Batman. Really. Things around here are named after Batman. 

They almost named the city Batmania.

In the 1850's Melbourne grew dramatically because of a gold rush. In the late 1800's Melbourne went through another period of explosive growth - "Marvelous Melbourne." Melbourne surpassed its rival, Sydney, in size, prestige, economy, and stature, especially when it hosted the Olympics in the 1950's. Sydney retaliated by building its opera house and the rest is history.

As we began our trek through the city, we saw an extensive network of trams, buses, trains, and subways. The streets were also full of cars, bicycles, horse-drawn carriages, and terroristic skateboarders.

A modern tram

A classic tram, below, makes a loop around the CBD while tourists listen to a narrative about some of the sights. It takes about an hour to complete the loop. The City Circle Loop is free, as is all public transportation within the CBD.

 Lots of interesting architecture - Victorian and modern . . . 

The railroad station

Part of the Moomba festivities?

 

We took a tour with I'm Free Walking Tours and got a great overview. We started at the State Library of Victoria.

It's bad enough that they drive on the other side of the road here, but is THIS really necessary?

In every city, a visit to a former prison is MANDATORY.

 

 

 

 

 

This has to do with the Labour movement

more coming soon!