Melbourne is a city full of secret studios and undiscovered rooftops. While the mysterious activities and inner rooms of Melbourne's buildings and museums are usually hidden from the public eye, on the 24th and 25th of July Melbournians will be given the rare opportunity to have a glimpse inside.
Encouraging you to indulge your inner nosiness,
Melbourne Open House 2010 will grant the public access to over 60 buildings that showcase some of Melbourne's unique and historic architecture. The event is free of charge, and most buildings will be open from 10am to 4pm each day. Guided tours will also be available in some places.
Covering all four corners of the city, this event is a great way to explore Melbourne and learn more about the buildings you might pass every day. These include landmarks such as the
Melbourne Town Hall and the
State Library as well as lesser known spaces such as the
Origin Roof Gardens or the
Donkey Wheel House. You might also be surprised at what goes on behind the scenes at places such as Federation Square, which uses state of the art green technologies.
Last year's event attracted tens of thousands of visitors, so it is recommended that you plan your day before you step out. A full list of buildings is available
online, and a program with more detailed information can also be purchased beforehand. Some buildings may have restricted times or numbers so it's a good idea to do your research to avoid disappointment. To keep up to date with what's happening, joining the mailing list is also useful.
As well as a tram ticket or a good pair of walking shoes, don't forget to bring along your camera. Melbourne Open House are running a
'Focus Photo Competition' which is open to all, where you can send in your best shots in to be judged by some of Melbourne's renowned architectural photographers. The photographs will be judged in five categories of exterior, interior, detail, series and people. So be sure to keep your eyes peeled and your camera at the ready!
