There’s something to be said about enjoying architecture rooted in a country’s past. That was my experience in Melbourne, Australia. It was on a pleasant Sunday in March that I headed to the inner-Melbourne suburb of Fitzroy in search of charming terrace houses and vibrant street art. I found both.
Located three kilometres from Melbourne’s Central Business District, Fitzroy is regarded as a cultural hub, appreciated for its music scene, street art, and home of the Melbourne Fringe Festival.
While a short three-kilometre stroll out to Fitzroy would have been pleasant, I decided to save energy for exploring as much of Fitzroy as possible. Besides, Melbourne’s tram system is impressive.
At each stop, a recorded message advises the arrival time of the next tram and whether it’s a newer or older tram. With 250 kilometres of track and 1,763 stops, Melbourne’s tram network holds the distinction of being the world’s largest tram system. An added bonus is that within the city core, all tram travel is free. Another is that it costs $5 for unlimited travel on Sundays. One of the workers at the hostel where I was staying lent me a refillable myki card that I loaded with the requisite $5 for exploring a variety of interesting neighbourhoods.
Charming terrace houses and vibrant street art
I zigzagged my way down Fitzroy’s Brunswick Street, a busy thoroughfare lined with eateries, pubs, and shops as far as the eye can see. A quick glance up each street and lane invariably uncovered a row of terrace houses or street murals.These two characteristics make Fitzroy a perfect neighbourhood for a self-guided walking tour.
Terrace houses of Fitzroy
Fitzroy features some of the finest Victorian-era architecture. Terraced housing was introduced to Australia in the 19th century, based on those built in London and Paris a century earlier.
Most were built between the 1850s and 1890s, coinciding with the Australian gold rush beginning in the 1850s and ending with the economic depression of the 1890s. Detached housing became the popular style of housing following federation in 1901 so it’s fortunate that so many terrace houses have been retained.
The Melbourne style of terrace housing attempted to conceal roof elements.
Decorative cast-iron balconies were another feature of the Melbourne style.
The demand for imported cast iron fuelled the growth of local foundries. By the 1880s, virtually every new balcony and verandah was draped in an ‘iron petticoat.’ As a result, Melbourne boasts more decorative cast iron than any other city in the world.
I loved the detail of the decorative parapets.
Street art in Melbourne’s Fitzroy
I was planning to visit some of Melbourne’s more popular venues for street art such as Hosier Lane and AC/DC Lane, but as it turned out, I much preferred stumbling across the gems of Fitzroy.
Melbourne has become one of the world’s premier destinations for street art. Many property owners have embraced street art and commissioned works.
Every lane offers up a canvas to the artists. These beer kegs are likely temporary, or they undoubtedly would have been considered part of the canvas and painted over.
Drab parking lots are transformed into colourful spaces of artistic expression.
Conclusion
If traditional architecture is one of your travel interests, check out the charming terrace houses of Fitzroy from the early colonial era. Stumbling across street art adds to the appeal of a self-guided walking tour of the neighbourhood.
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Is Melbourne on your travel list? If so, you might be interested in Melbourne bike tour: a relaxed way to see the top sights.
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