FREE* Melbourne

After Hoosier Lane where we oggled the street art (NOT graffiti!), we ambled down a maze of other alleyways and laneways that are woven throughout downtown Melbourne.

With our newly purchased "myki" (My Key) cards (approximately $8US each*), we could now venture outside the FREE zone of downtown Melbourne using any mode of public transportation - trams, trolleys, buses, or trains until midnight. Heretofore, we had only traveled via the FREE City Circle - Tram Route 35, so despite the cost, we discovered new FREEdom.

We first went to the Shrine of Remembrance (Tram stop 19). Initially completed in 1934, the Shrine is situated on 13 hectares of beautiful parkland. Honoring Australia's participation in war and peacekeeping efforts, including the Boer Wars in South Africa, the Gallipoli campaign in Turkey, and how British command made decisions that compromised Australia in WWII. The Shrine also includes more current conflicts in Afghanistan and Iraq. We left with new perspectives on the legacy of war...

Volunteer Docent Alan and Ned @ The Shrine of Remembrance

With "remembrance poppies" in hand, we walked next door to the Royal Botanic Gardens. Founded in 1846, the Royal Botanic Gardens include 38 hectares of gardens, lakes and lawns with 10km of walking tracks. Dedicated to education, conservation, and appreciation of global flora, the Royal Botanic Gardens feature more than 10,000 plant species from all all over the world. We especially appreciated the California Garden that includes adaptable and water-wise species endemic to where we live: ceanothus, agaves, dudleya (endangered), salvia and California poppies. We had a lovely lunch in the Terrace Cafe, overlooking one of the lakes that adorn the property.

We next hopped aboard yet another tram to the State Library of Victoria and, even though it also is FREE, it is worth its own entry. xoxo

*This was the only expenditure, other than food, that we made all day!