Melbourne, Australia | Accidentally Wes Anderson

Created by

Alex Huynh

The second largest city in Australia, “Melbs” is said to be one of the most livable cities in the world due to its public transit, art and culture, sports, food, and student life. Built along the Yarra River and Port Phillip Bay, this city that rapidly grew from a 19th Century gold rush now offers golden opportunities to enjoy leisure activities on the water and diverse array of parklands. It’s got some pretty “livable” architecture too.

Clifton Hill McDonald's

Designed by James Hastie Wardrop in the “Jazz Moderne” style in 1938, this structure was once home to the United Kingdom Hotel. In 1988, it was purchased by a certain burger kingdom. Due to its landmark status, however, the fast food giant had to keep most of the structure intact, creating a unique dining environment for a McDouble-eater. While featuring all the components needed for an Art Deco structure, it unfortunately does not include a Playplace.

199 Queens Parade, Fitzroy North VIC 3068, Australia

Bendigo Hotel

In 1904, barkeep Neil Stephenson and hotel owner William Rae were each fined after it was found that they had served alcohol to a sixteen-year-old boy. Later, the boy’s mother would also be fined due to the fact she was the one who sent her son to get the liquor from the hotel. Opened in 1887, the Bendigo Hotel has endless stories like this one in its history. Today, now a concert venue, mothers are encouraged to get their own drinks at the bar.

125 Johnston St, Collingwood VIC 3066, Australia

University of Melbourne

More than just a peaceful backdrop, this clock tower is part of an institution that has housed four prime ministers, eight Nobel Laureates, and sometimes, kangaroos. World-renowned and consistently ranked the top school in Australia, the University of Melbourne is also the second oldest university in the country. Serving the best and brightest, a walk on the university’s campus can help one imagine they are the best and brightest.

Parkville VIC 3052, Australia

State Library of Victoria

Home to the oldest library collection in Australia, this massive bibliotheque was also one of the first in the world to become free to its patrons. Expanded many times since 1854, the large structure actually made up of twelve different buildings. The impressive octagonal La Trobe Reading room is the crown jewel of the the building’s additions, completed in 1913. Able to host 32,000 books and 320 people to study and read them, it’s not hard to imagine spending many an hour here. Better get started on your allotted 10,000 books now to get through the collection.

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328 Swanston St, Melbourne VIC 3000, Australia

The Princess Theatre

If one enjoys a show at The Princess Theatre, they wouldn’t be the first. The oldest entertainment site on the mainland of Australia, audiences have been enjoying performances here since 1854. The living haven’t been the only ones enjoying the entertainment. According to various reports, the actor Frederick Baker who died of a heart attack before taking a bow still haunts the stage of the Princess—still waiting for his applause.

163 Spring St, Melbourne VIC 3000, Australia

Melbourne City Baths

Though a beautiful facet of the city today, the Yarra River was once not the most lovely place to be due to pollution. Built as a way to deter city dwellers from taking baths in the brackish river, the Melbourne City Baths were opened in 1904. Taking a bath itself in the early 1980s (no towels needed), the structure is now landmarked and considered one of the city’s Victorian Heritage buildings–and still offering bathing and swimming amenities!

420 Swanston St, Melbourne VIC 3000, Australia

Milton House

Originally a private hospital for first graduate of University of Melbourne’s surgical masters program, this historic house stands tall among its new neighbors. This beautiful brick building housed a free X-Ray service to help eliminate tuberculosis in the early 1900s. Today, its home to the nonprofit Open House Melbourne, which advocates for public appreciation for architecture. Sounds like the Open House Melbourne found its forever home in this architectural wonder…

25 Spring St, Melbourne VIC 3000, Australia

Regent Theatre

In the time this lavishly decorated theatre was closed, society progressed from vinyl to cassette tape. After sitting over 26 years in the dark on Collins Street, the restored Regent Theatre was ceremoniously reopened in 1993. The Heritage landmark had come a long way since this fateful rise from the ashes, including the fact that this wasn’t the first time “The Palace for the People” had shut its doors.

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191 Collins St, Melbourne VIC 3000, Australia

Cow Up a Tree

Previously shown in Paris, this whimsical sculpture by John Kelly now lies along the Yarra River. Though this sculpture may lean slightly (okay, very) humourous, it’s actually a homage to flood victims and even calls back to an unofficial war artist during World War II. Rumor has it an Australian artist William Dobell was tasked with camouflaging airfields from Japanese bombers and decided to hide them with papier-mâché cows. Though it’s unclear if Dobell was successful, one thing is clear: Kelly continues to raise the steaks in the art world.

131 Harbour Esplanade, Docklands VIC 3008, Australia

Palais Theatre

Sitting across the street from Luna Park, this theater helped put St. Kilda Beach on the entertainment map(no mouth gate needed). The current structure dates to 1927, and can host nearly three thousand seated patrons, making it the largest of its kind in Australia. First operating as a cinema, the theatre shifted to live performances in the 1950s, and has played host to many famous acts including The Rolling Stones, Tom Jones, and Bob Hope.

Lower Esplanade, St Kilda VIC 3182, Australia

Luna Park

Open wide! Maybe some can boast still having their wisdom teeth in their mouths, but how about fitting a ticket office in? Opened in 1912, visitors who dare enter through this unusual entrance get to enjoy the whimsical Luna Park. Offering amusements and entertainment, you’ll get an earful of carnival sounds from the wooden rollercoaster that envelops the park to arcade bells. Aren’t you glad we didn’t say mouthful?

18 Lower Esplanade, St Kilda VIC 3182, Australia

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