By: Lyle Granger
Nothing compares to the rich and flavorful history of Melbourne's Laneways. While the bulk of the city consists of a sensible and ordered layout, the laneways offer a bustling and adventurous area of Australia just begging to be explored.
Many tourists miss the extensive laneway network in Australia, which offers incredible one of a kind boutiques, art galleries, arcades, intimate bars, intriguing cafes, and restaurants serving up local cuisine.
This area of Australia is not just for tourists, either. These shops, bars, and cafes are frequented by the locals. No matter how much the lanes are frequented, there is still always something new to explore and discover as the offerings are ever changing.
The best way to discover this part of Australia is to dive right into the middle and experience everything possible in this intimate and enchanting network of shops, boutiques, and cafes.
Melbourne's Laneways are the result of the city street design by Robert Hoddle, the first Melbourne street surveyor. When gold was first discovered in the area in the 1850's, the influx of people caused the population to increase dramatically from 29,000 to over 125,000 in a mere ten years.
Hoddle's original task was to design the Melbourne city streets to accommodate oxen drawn carts used to transport goods. The surveyor, when creating the original design, could not possibly have predicted the population surge, which resulted in people creating shortcuts and pathways and filling the developing laneways with pubs, stores, shops, and small cottages.
There is no way to explore all of these incredible narrow streets in one visit, as there are more than 180 of them. A visitor is liable to find anything in these local lanes including walls containing graffiti artistry, second hand finds and treasures, eclectic jewelry, unique fashions, and so much more.
A day of exploring and shopping in Melbourne leads visitors to dine among the laneway restaurants, offering European inspired cuisine or Asian food in modern style cafes or refurbished historic warehouses. Visitors can relax in tucked away remote taverns or eclectic Bohemian undergrounds, each very unique and yet located within close proximity to each other.
One suggested place to start is at the 1869 Royal Arcade, which connects Little Collins Street to Bourke Street Mall. The mythical figures Gog and Magog are located on the south end and stand at either side of the Gaunt clock which chimes on the hour. ACDC Lane, once known as Corporation Lane, was renamed as a tribute to the Australian rock band of fame, AC/DC. ACDC Lane runs south from Flinders Lane between Exhibition and Russell Street in Melbourne's central business district area.
Some of the illegal lanes became crime areas at the wind down of the 19th century, including areas like Romeo Lane and Juliet Terrace near the old Princess theatre. These areas became dens of prostitution, gambling, and drugs (opium). They were later renamed to Crossley and Liverpool Street, and now contain cocktail bars, boutiques, and ethnic eateries.
Make a point to check out Scott Alley for original pieces by up and coming designers. Flinders Lane is popular for the rag trade and abounds with boutiques offering clothing by new emerging fashion designers.
Only in Melbourne's Laneways can one experience everything from the old fashioned to the eccentric, an area of the city rich and flavored in multicultural history. Lose yourself in the laneways of Melbourne for a priceless adventure you'll never forget.
