Ladro - Melbourne

If you like Italian food, Ladro is the restaurant to check out.  It was named  'Best new restaurant of the year' in 2005. Located at 224a  Gertrude Street in Fitzroy. Nice and cosy environment and service staff was polite and attentive to our dining needs.

 

 Appetizer shaped in the form of a rose

 Anthony & Pat

 Dinner Time

 Pizza seafood - simply delicious

Lamb Shank

Fitzroy Gardens - Melbourne

Fitzroy Gardens was named after Sir Charles Augustus Fitzroy  (1796-1858),  Governor of New South Wales  (1846-1851)  and Governor-General of the Australian Colonies  (1851-1855).

 

Fitzroy Gardens is one of Melbourne’s most historic and beautiful Gardens. Originally set aside as a reserve in 1848, the layout follows a classic Victorian–era design, featuring pathways lined with magnificent Elm trees, and a variety of flowers, ornamental shrubs and trees which together with extensive lawns create a diverse and layered landscape.

 It was raining that day, we had to take shelter at the vistor centre

 

Points of interest include the magnificent floral displays in the Spanish mission style Conservatory. Cooks Cottage, a scarred tree, the Fairies’ Tree and model tudor village, sculptures, fountains and a stormwater cleaning and re-use system.

 

 

 

 

 Model Tudor Village

 Faires' Tree

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Fitzroy Gardens are 26 hectares (64 acres) located on the southeastern edge of the Melbourne Central Business District in East Melbourne, Victoria, Australia. The gardens are bounded by Clarendon Street, Albert Street, Lansdowne Street, and Wellington Parade with the Treasury Gardens across Lansdowne street to the west.

Cook's Cottage - Melbourne

Group Photo

Built in 1755, Cooks' Cottage is the oldest building in Australia and a popular Melbourne tourist attraction.

 

Originally located in Yorkshire, England, and built by the parents of Captain James Cook, the cottage was brought to Melbourne by Sir Russell Grimwade in 1934. Each brick was individually numbered, packed into barrels and then shipped to Australia.

 

Step back in time as you enter Cook's Cottage. You will see the modern interpretations of Captain Cook's adventures, centuries-old antiques, a delightful English cottage garden and volunteers dressed in 18th century costumes.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 Cuttings from ivy that adorned the house were also taken and planted when the house was re-erected in Melbourne. Grimwade, a notable businessman and philanthropist, donated the house to the people of Victoria for the centenary anniversary of the settlement of Melbourne in October 1934.

 

 

St Patrick's Cathedral

Built from bluestone and sandstone, St Patrick’s Cathedral is a leading example of Gothic-revival architecture, built in stages between 1858 and 1940.

St Patrick’s is the tallest and largest church building in Australia. It is also a place of worship, prayer and reflection.

Situated on the borders of the city centre, the towering central spire of the cathedral reaches an impressive 105 metres into the Melbourne sky, with a further two spires topping out at 61 metres each.

Entering the building, you will be awed by the colours and shapes cast by its beautiful stained-glass

windows

 

 We lighted the candles and prayed

 Interior View

St Patrick’s Cathedral is a short walk from central Melbourne, and is across the road from Flinders Street Station, the city’s main train depot.

Entry is free of charge, and we strolled around the Cathedral. We visited the Cathedral shop to pick up some Catholic items.  We even had a delightful conversation with the person tending to the shop. He is a Singaporean whose family migrated to Melbourne. We attended evening mass at the Cathedral the following Saturday.