Rydges Melbourne

Melbourne is spoilt for magnificent theatres, both contemporary and traditional. The Regent Theatre is one that is steeped in history, is architecturally stunning and one that stages cutting edge contemporary musicals and theatre. The 2,162 seat Regent Theatre is at 191 Collins Street, a short walk from Rydges Melbourne. The Regent Theatre was opened in 1929 and was one of Victoria’s largest cinemas during the inter-war period, complete with an amazing Wurlitzer Organ. The Regent is regarded as perhaps the best example of the combined Spanish Gothic and French Renaissance revival styles in Melbourne. Lavish and opulent, it was built as two entertainment venues. The Regent Theatre upstairs catered for 3,500 patrons while the Plaza Ballroom was designed for dining and dancing. However, it was soon converted to a cinema creating Australia’s first duplex. Disused since closing in 1969, it was meticulously renovated, refurbished and returned to its former glory to re-open in 1996. As theatres go, The Regent is a ‘survivor’. It has survived a fire, a flood, twenty-six years in darkness and many threats of demolition by blinkered bureaucrats to turn the magnificent building into a car park or a tabaret. The 1945 fire gutted the cinema, destroying the auditorium and the organ. It was reconstructed, including a new organ, and re-opened in 1947, making it one of the last ‘picture palaces’ to be built in the country.

The Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) Located in Yarra Park, is the home for Melbourne’s Cricket club! Built in 1853 it is under constant renewal but still listed on the Victorian heritage register. It is the largest stadium in the Southern hemisphere let alone Australia. It is the largest cricket venue by capacity attracting International matches including the Boxing Day test as one the most popular events. It hosted the 1956 Summer Olympics, 2006 common wealth games along with 2 cricket world cups. It supports and hosts other major sporting events such as International rules football matches, rugby union and Rugby league featuring the State of Origin. It’s easily accessible by public transport and walking distance to the city centre.

Melbourne is undoubtedly Australia’s ‘theatre’ capital, and on more than one level. Maybe it is the climate, maybe it is just tradition but Melbournites are true lovers of live theatre, whether it be ballet, opera, contemporary drama or comedy. Attending the theatre is as much part of Melbourne’s fabric as ‘attending the beach’ is in Sydney. It is also because the best theatrical productions happen in Melbourne – and that happens because the producers know that there are discerning audiences wanting to see them. And then there are the actual theatres – the architecturally stunning structures that are steeped in atmosphere and history that add another special dimension to any evening or matinee performance. One theatre steeped in history and atmosphere is the wonderful Her Majesty’s Theatre. It is located on the corner of Exhibition and Little Bourke Streets, just across the road from Rydges Melbourne. Her Majesty’s Theatre is often described as “the most important theatre still standing in terms of its contribution to Australian theatre”. Architecturally, it is an amalgam of English and French influences. It opened in 1886 as the Alexandra Theatre, in honour of the Princess of Wales. The name changed to Her Majesty’s in 1900 when taken over by theatre group, JC Williamson’s. A fire in 1929 destroyed the auditorium, but the theatre reopened in 1934 as a modern, technologically advanced theatre. An acoustic consultant was even engaged – a first in Australia. Over its life, Her Majesty’s stage has been graced with internationally renowned performers like Dame Nellie Melba (1911), Anna Pavlova (1926) and Dame Joan Sutherland (1965) but it is a theatre that defies genre. Over the years the stage has been a comfortable home for opera, ballet, drama, musicals, comedy, pop, rock and cabaret. A look back over the last 12 years shows the variety of performances with shows/acts like Cabaret, Hair, The Nutcracker, Marcel Marceau, Tina Arena, Madama Butterfly, Bananas in Pyjamas, Carl Barron, Talking Heads, La Boheme, Lenny Henry, Queen, Mamma Mia, Ten Tenors, Russian National Ballet, Oklahoma!, Pam Ayers, Billy Elliot, Chicago, Mary Poppins, A Chorus Line, A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum, Chitty Chitty Bang Bang and Strictly Ballroom.

The Melbourne Museum is open daily from 10 – 5pm. It’s a new world of wonder with learning programs and multiple exhibits. If you like all things wild, you will love Bugs alive with the amazing world of insects otherwise you can see over 600 birds, reptiles, mammals and amphibians from all around the world. Get up close and personal with ‘Yabby, Dabby Doo’ and make your own yabby. Learn of the biomedical breakthroughs of medical research that has changed the lives of many around the world, participate in Illumination and evening celebration of it all. Take a walk back in time with the dinosaurs. Walk amongst the skeletons of prehistoric animals or go back to the love and sorrow of WW1. One of the world’s destructive conflicts recalled through the experience of eight people. Head into the future with IMAX Melbourne and immerse yourself in the cinematic experience. With so much variety on offer at the Melbourne Museum, it must be on everyone’s to do list when visiting the beautiful city Melbourne!

The Arts Centre Melbourne is Australia’s largest performing arts centre and the home of world-class music, theatre, dance and opera. There are behind-the-scenes tours that take you backstage, through hidden passageways and technical contraptions, to the vast underground theatres and to see highlights from the immense Performing Arts Collection. You can trace the footsteps of famous performers, directors and choreographers and hear behind-the-scenes stories of major stage productions. The Theatres and Exhibition Tour is a great way to explore Arts Centre Melbourne’s exhibitions and the iconic Theatres Building where they reside. The Arts Centre Melbourne extends five floors underground and you can explore the labyrinth beneath the famous spire, including the grand State Theatre. You’ll also enjoy an insider’s look at the current gallery exhibition and significant works of Australian art throughout the foyers. The tour includes coffee and cake at Café Vic. The Performing Arts Collection is Australia’s largest and most important collection of performing arts history and traditions. Explore the major collecting areas of Circus, Dance, Opera, Music and Theatre, or browse the collection online by featured object type, including stage and costume designs, photography and programs. Arts Centre Melbourne is home to a significant collection of paintings, sculpture, works on paper, photography and textiles. A rich and vibrant selection of paintings forms the basis of the Arts Centre’s Public Art Collection. Hamer Hall and the three performance venues in the Theatres Building are all home to paintings by some of Australia’s greatest post-war artists. The Public Art Collection celebrates performing arts through the work of some of Australia’s most significant visual artists. In particular the collection looks to the ways in which artists are inspired by music, dance, theatre or opera and the creativity of performance.

Melbourne Is full of weird, wonderful and quirky things! You’ll find street art in laneways and byways from international artists such as Banksy and Ever fresh crew along will well-known local artists. Hidden bars, Restaurants and clubs scattered throughout the city. Ask a local for the trending new hotspots! If you like everything out of the ordinary, you’ll love viewing all the street artwork which is a highlight in Melbourne City. Some of the favourite iconic hotspots! HOISER LANE Internationally renowned for its street art. You’ll want to keep coming back! Appreciate the art in the moment as it may be different upon your next visit. Even if you’re not a fan, you’ll be mesmerised in the cobblestone lane with stencils, paste ups, murals and installations. Take a wander on your own or join one of the popular walking tours to get the ins and outs on artists and their work.

he multipurpose area located in Melbourne variously known as ‘The National Tennis Centre at Flinders Park’. Was built in 1988 and has changed name twice, now known as the Rod Laver Arena in honour of Rod Laver and his remarkable tennis career that saw him win the Grand Slam twice and cement himself as Australia’s and one of the World’s greatest Male tennis champions. The Area is internationally renowned for a tennis venue and holds the Australia open every year since 1988. The Australia open was the prompt to create the arena and continue upkeep as the previous prestigious Koo young Tennis club started to lag behind needing a more modern facility to continue to host the Australia Open. It hosts am array of events featuring the Rodeo, dirt bike demos, wresting, boxing, concerts, family shows, memorials and the Gymnastics which saw the Worlds Artistic Gymnastic Championships. The most impressive transformation of the Arena was for Fina world swimming championships in 2007. Many celebrities including Justin Timberlake and Pink have played at the venue with many more upcoming events to come!

Melbourne Is full of weird, wonderful and quirky things! You’ll find street art in laneways and byways from international artists such as Banksy and Ever fresh crew along will well-known local artists. Hidden bars, Restaurants and clubs scattered throughout the city. Ask a local for the trending new hotspots! If you like everything out of the ordinary, you’ll love viewing all the street artwork which is a highlight in Melbourne City. Some of the favourite iconic hotspots! LYGON STREET If you are a foodie, you will love Lygon Street! Take a walk along the leafy street and discover little Italy! The Place where Melbourne’s famous café culture was born. It’s Italian heaven over 20 classic and modern Italian dining options on the strip, you won’t be disappointed!