When you think of Melbourne, you may not have much of an impression beyond koalas, Vegemite, and miniature penguins, but this serene city has much to offer beyond the stereotypical Australian charms. While Melbourne has its share of well-stocked museums, you can encounter a wide range of artistic creations simply by strolling through the lanes and alleys of the heart of the city. Graffiti is taken to an entirely different level in Melbourne, and the works provide an important outlet for the city's youth.
To tour the laneways, you can either take a guided tour or simply visit the local tourist information office right in Federation Square and pick up a map showing the main graffiti hotspots. The artists range from the famous "Banksy" to homeless teens, and most receive permits from the Melbourne government to create as they wish on the walls. The tour is a great way to familiarize yourself with the layout of the city, from AC/DC Lane to the avenues around the Bourke Street Mall. Be sure to take a break at one of the local coffeehouses - Melbourne (rightly) prides itself on being a real coffee town.
One of the main alleys to visit on your tour is Hosier Lane, which houses The Living Wall. Unveiled in 2010, this creation of the Youth Projects gives local homeless teenagers an outlet for their artistic expression. One of the main symbols seen here is the phoenix rising from the flames, which Atlantans can certainly relate to as it is one of our own city's favorite emblems. The art therapy workshops which help the teens produce these works are an important part of the project's mission toward empowering the kids and helping them develop social interaction skills, at the same time as they give visitors to the city an exciting and vibrant ever-changing canvas.
From Atlanta, Delta Airlines flies to Melbourne with one stop in Los Angeles, currently priced at around $1,800 round trip. Other options include a stop in Hawaii to break up the long travel time. Don't forget -- winter in Atlanta is an excellent time to throw some INXS on the iPod and take off to Australia, as it is currently mid-summer Down Under!
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