Federation Square, Melbourne

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Federation Square is a new publicity piece in the heart of Melbourne city that was completed in 2002. In short, it has less than nothing to do with where the Federation of Australia took place. It is however beautifully located on the intersections of Flinders Street and Swanston St/St Kilda St and it is opposite our busiest train station, Flinders Street Station.

The area is highly modern with LED lights, shiny metal, bright, angular architecture and wide open areas. It is in stark contrast to St Paul's Cathedral to its North and the colonial Flinders St Station to its West. The complex itself is mainly park land, however it does also have office space (mainly SBS - Special Broadcasting Service) and it is the home of the ACMI (Australian Center for the Moving Image) and National Gallery. In the middle of the central square, there is a gigantic television screen which shows most sporting events. For really big events like the football finals people bring chairs, couches, mattresses... Anything they need and camp out watching the game.

If you are a tourist and need help finding your way around, at the very north-west corner of the square is a visitor center which helps you learn about what sorts of things you can do around Melbourne.

Not many locals come here apart from to meet each other and head out into the "Real Melbourne" as they would call it. Still, you'll see a lot of schools leading kids on excursions here, mainly for the National Gallery.

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Federation Bells is a fantastic piece of public art behind the back of Federation Square that allows you to compose your own tune on http://www.federationbells.com.au/

Once you get to the website and compose your track, you are given a schedule of when you'll be able to hear your masterpiece played over the entire public arena.

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Federation Square is one of the most popular visitor attractions in Melbourne. This building is built as a meeting place for special events and functions for Melbourne. They also have different exhibitions from time to time for special causes.

You don't have to spend much time there, unless you are attending an event or have coffee in their cafe for free WiFi. Basically, you can take many great pictures there cause the modern architecture is totally unique in Melbourne.

Check out website for an events that you might be interested...

Melbourne Visitor Centre is located ground floor of Federation Square. This should be the first place to visit in Melbourne because you can get free maps and information here including Melbourne and State of Victoria attractions, tours, and public transportation timetables and routes.

Open daily 9am-6pm.

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Federation Square has become the cultural heart of the city, in spite of the huge controversy when first opened. Wander down here virtually any weekend of the year and you will find some kind of live music taking place - ranging from the vast array of multiculturalism present in the city through to major festivals and events such as the Melbourne Jazz Festival, Melbourne International Arts Festival and so much more - and with the big screen, events such as the Australian Open Tennis, World Cup games etc are also broadcast.

The iconic Federation Square is one of the main tourist sights in Melbourne. This small square bounded by the Yarra river on one side is place where a lot of big public events take place. The beautiful architecture around the square is quite breathtaking. Nearby is the the National Gallery of Victoria-Australia Center where you can see a selection of art work from Australian artists. The square also houses a few TV and radio broadcast stations which serves Melbourne. You can also visit the Federation Wharf where you can see the beautiful Yarra river.

Federation Square is the meeting point for locals and tourists. Ian Potter Center and Australian Center for the Moving Image are two points in Federation Square where you can taste art and culture. Melbourne Visitor Centre which is located underground is the best place to plan your visits and trips around Melbourne with friendly and helpful staff. The square is perfect for people watching and you can stroll to the riverbank if you are bored. There are also restaurants available.

A great meeting area across the river from the city and not far from the casino. We merely walked through here but our friends pointed out several great pubs and eating areas as well as a general area to sit around and people watch and enjoy your time. Very well done.

Easily the LANDMARK for Melbourne with its quirky irrelevant design, Federation Square or Fed Square, as its name suggests, was meant to open to celebrate the centenary of Australian Federation on 1 Jan 01. (Due to delays, it actually opened on 26 Oct 02)

It comprises a series of buildings containing a public broadcaster (SBS), art galleries (The Ian Potter Centre is here), a museum, cinemas, exhibition spaces, auditoria, restaurants, bars and shops around two major public spaces, one covered (The Atrium), the other open to the sky, and composed of two spaces that flow into one another (St. Paul's Court and The Square). The majority of the precinct is built on top of a concrete deck over busy railway lines. Received negatively initially, it quickly won over the hearts of the Melbournians.

I wouldn't even try to explain the architectural bits....it's still looks a little disjointed to my untrained eyes though I applaud its quirkiness with its weird bends, angles and lines. It's a happening place as bands play to music to folks having a drink in the bars and restaurants and soaking in the electric atmosphere.

Tourists will make your way here too. Why? The Tourist Info Centre is here. Grin. Get your first orientation of the city, right here; right now.

New to Melbourne, the inaugural "Melbourne City Romp" started in October, 2007.
Part treasure hunt, part amazing race, this is probably one of the best ways to learn about Melbourne.
The next 'Romp' is happening, Sunday, 19th October, 2008. Website listed here, so check it out. Fun to be had, prizes to be won and all money goes to a worthy cause.

I am sure you will find many different opinions about Federation Square. It is very different and functional, I suppose. It is not "square" at all, but very interesting. I don't know if I should say much more, best to find out for yourself!