I doubt there are many Melbournians that have actually been inside the Parliament House. It seems like the kind of place that might attract primary school groups and old people on holiday. But there was something about that building, with the grand steps to the front entrance that was intriguing to me and I took the opportunity to go on a tour. On days that Parliament is not sitting they offer free tours at 9.30 am, 10.30 am, 11.30 am, 1.30 pm, 2.30 pm and 3.45 pm. However, when I went over for the 2:30pm tour, they told me the next tour was at 3pm, so make sure you have a flexible schedule (or call ahead). There are plenty of cafes nearby to wait out the time until your tour begins.
The tour begins in the vestibule with its amazing tile floor and takes you through:
the Queen's Hall,
the Council Chamber,
where our tour guide allowed me to sit in the President's chair.
The Assembly Chamber
and the Parliament library
The friendly and knowledgeable tour guide was able to answer any questions that I and my fellow tourists were able to come up with. To a foreigner this tour was interesting as I am pretty clueless as to how the government here in Australia is organized, but I imagine even a lifelong resident of Victoria would learn something new.
Name: House of Parliament
Location: Spring Street, East Melbourne
Telephone: 03 9651 8568
Website: www.parliament.vic.gov.au
Admission: Free
1 comment:
Hi Rachel,
I found you on Phoebe's blog, and came over to check out your views of my home town! I am thoroughly enjoying your blog, as I've been to all the places you have written about, and it is like going down Memory Lane to read about them.
I smiled at your comments about not many people going to Parliament House. You might be surprised - they have well advertised open days now and then, and many people go there to have a look. I held my 50th birthday in one of the dining rooms there. Now THAT is not a well known fact, that anybody can hire one of the dining rooms at Parliament House for a private function! My family and friends were most impressed!
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