Victoria is a small state with plenty to interest

Press, 12 July 1988, Page 40

Victoria is a small state with plenty to interest

By 1

ROY SINCLAIR

Some years ago in Melbourne, I was amused by some of the fun maps displayed in shop windows. There were eight different maps of Australia and on each, one state was drawn in vastly exaggerated proportions. This enabled a map to be purchased that would satisfy one’s inflated opinion of a particular state.

The map made for Melbourne inhabitants showed their state, Victoria, occupying most of Australia with all other states represented as tiny satellite provinces. The fact is, that apart from the Australian Capital Territory, Victoria is the second smallest state. (The smallest is Tasmania). Victoria covers less than five per cent of the continent and, unlike other states, it is reasonably closely settled with towns and cities located within easy driving distances.

This compact state has much to offer. New Zealanders on holiday will certainly feel at home in Victoria and will find plenty of opportunities to experience something new.

There are, for example, the historic cities of Bendigo and Ballarat. Bendigo is famous for its Talking Tram tours, and Ballarat has Sovereign Hill, which is a recreation of Ballarat in its heyday. The Talking

Tram and Sovereign Hill are leading Australian attractions.

Among the many other attractions are the Victorian Alps with their vast winter snow fields, and the long Murray River where one can cruise on a genuine paddle boat. Victoria also has many excellent wineries, but those who are intending to take a motoring holiday must remember that the state has very tough drinking and driving laws and the chances of being caught are much greater than in New Zealand. Victoria came to life when gold was discovered in 1851. The rush lasted until the early 1860 s when gold was being found in New Zealand’s Central Otago.

Victoria’s gold fields instigated the infamous civilian uprising in 1854 when miners near Ballarat objected to paying 30 shillings a month for a licence when returns were so small.

The disgruntled miners eventually set themselves up in a stockade. On November 29 it was stormed by soldiers and 30 miners were killed. A recreation of the Eureka Stockade, as it became known, can be seen near the site of the incident in Ballarat.

Melbourne is, of course, the centre of Victoria. The city was planned and laid out by the early 1840 s. By 1890 Melbourne had its first skyscraper. It was a 12-storey building

and at the time was higher than any building in New York.

Today, Melbourne is a big city with a population similar to that of New Zealand. It is also a graceful city with wide streets and excellent shopping. Melbourne claims to have the world’s most impressive examples of Victorian architecture which are, no doubt, a legacy of the gold days.

With its multi-cultural background, Melbourne has a vast range of ethnic restaurants. In fact, Melbourne prides itself on being one of the great eating out cities of the world.

New Zealanders will be familar with names such as the Melbourne Cricket Ground where the V.F.L. Australian Rules Grand Final will be fought out during September, and Flemington racecourse where Kiwis are drawn every November for the Melbourne Cup.

Other notable facilities include the Victoria Arts Centre in St Kilda Road (within easy walking distance from the central city) and the recently opened National Tennis Centre.

Considerable rivalry exists between Melbourne and Sydney, Australia’s two largest cities. The visitor, however, is free to appreciate both and it could be claimed that if Sydney is beautiful, then Melbourne is authentic.

By far the best way to get around in Melbourne

is by tram. A Met Pass Kit providing unlimited travel on all tramway and suburban rail services is very good value. The pass can also be used on the vintage tram tours through the city. The kit also includes an easy-to-read map to all attractions and suggested tours.

One trip that should not be missed is to the Dandenongs. The suburban rail is taken to Belgrave, about an hour’s journey from central Melbourne, and from there, a delightful ride can be taken through the hills on a narrow-gauge railway known as Puffing Billy.

For those who wish to travel beyond Melbourne on public transport, there are excellent Inter-City rail services operated by V/Line. Although many of the Bicentennial events have centred on Sydney and Brisbane, Melbourne is also celebrating. One of the main events, the international trade fair, will be held at Melbourne’s Royal Exhibition Building from July 23 to 31.

The fair is listed as the fourth most important event during the Bicentennial year. Some 600 exhibiting companies will show thousands of products from 30 countries.

Australia’s first major contemporary art fair will be an important part of the event with 300 artists exhibiting their work. Special times have been set aside for the public to attend during the nine days the fair is open.