UNESCO World Heritage Count
Australia 4 Out of 17 (Not bad for such a huge country!)
Great Barrier Reef -2003
Fraser Island – 2003
Wet Tropics of Queensland – 2003
And now…the Royal Exhibition Building and Carlton Gardens in Melbourne
The Royal Exhibition Building in Melbourne
I was not going to be overly happy if I was going all the way to Australia and not able to hit even one UNESCO World Heritage Site, so imagine my glee when I found out that not only could I visit one, but that it would be right there in Melbourne. It was practically our first stop. We just went to the Visitor’s Center first to find out the easiest way to get there, which was on the Free Tourist bus across the street. How convenient!
The Carlton Gardens are well-laid out with plenty of indigenous plants and trees, as well as a few imported ones. Its significance lies in the fact that it is laid out in a 19th century tradition with symmetrical designs and carriage ways that lead into and around the fountain.
The building itself was closed when we were there, under renovations it said even though I saw no evidence of such. However on most days you are able to take a tour through the building, if you call ahead. We were able to peek through the glass doors to see the interior and since there was nothing in it, we could easily see the green walls and the majestic frescoes. I’m sure it is well worth walking around on the inside, if you can get in.
A majestic edifice, it was built in 1880 and is still in use today for trade shows and fairs. It was also the very first building to be designated as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO.
Go to Museumvictoria.com to book tours, which cost $5.00 for adults.