The Royal Exhibition Building and Walk

World Heritage Site This historical and picturesque walk takes visitors on A World Heritage Place History Massive as it is, during a self-guided tour around the Royal Exhibition Building The Royal Exhibition The international exhibition the 1880 Exhibition it Building and Carlton Gardens movement began in the constituted only one-tenth and Carlton Gardens World Heritage Site. It provides an were added to the World 19th century as a means of the entire exhibition space, insight into the of 130 years ago, a period of Heritage List on 1 July 2004. to promote and share as temporary annexes were immense optimism, enthusiasm and energy. The listing citation reads: the developments and erected over a large area of technologies of the industrial the northern gardens. After The Royal Exhibition Building The Victorian gold rush of the 1850s led to Melbourne age. This movement was the exhibition the temporary and the surrounding Carlton significant for its role in annexes were dismantled rapidly developing from a scattering of wooden houses Gardens, as the main extant the global dissemination and the area re-landscaped. survivors of a Palace of to a marvellous modern city. This period of wealth of goods, technologies, Industry and its setting, The Melbourne Centennial and optimism was short lived, as a major economic culture, values and ideas, together reflect the global International Exhibition was heralding a new era of depression hit in the 1890s. This walk will reveal features influence of the international held in 1888. Temporary networks and the modern in both the Gardens and the surrounding suburbs of exhibition movement of the annexes covered even more international economy. Fitzroy and Carlton that highlight this unique period 19th and early 20th centuries. of the northern gardens. in Melbourne’s history. The movement showcased Melbourne hosted six These were again dismantled technological innovation modest exhibitions from after the Exhibition, leaving and change, which helped 1854 to 1875. During only the Great Hall and promote a rapid increase the self-confident 1870s, long, elaborate Eastern and in industrialisation and merchants and politicians Western machinery annexes international trade through decided to go global. In 1878 (since demolished). The the exchange of knowledge the Victorian Government Northern Gardens were and ideas. announced plans for a re-landscaped once more new Exhibition Building in a layout similar to 1882. Between 1815 and 1915, in Carlton Gardens for about 70 international The layout of the Southern ’s first International exhibitions were held around Gardens are essentially Exhibition in 1880. the world, including three in unchanged from the 1880 . Two International A design competition design. The maturation of Exhibitions were held at the was won by prominent the trees, and the removal of Royal Exhibition Building, Melbourne architects some shrubs and floral beds one in 1880 and one in 1888. Reed and Barnes, and have modified its original construction commenced landscape character. The World Heritage List in 1879. The southern aims to encourage the To this day the Royal gardens were re-designed identification, protection Exhibition Building continues to provide a garden setting and preservation of cultural to support a spectrum for the building in the style and natural heritage sites of trade shows, fairs, of previous international that are considered of exhibitions, cultural and exhibitions in Europe outstanding universal value community events. It also and America. to all humanity. It is managed has special significance by the United Nations The Exhibition Building in Australia’s history as Educational, Scientific seen today was known the place where the first and Cultural Organisation as the ‘Great Hall’. It is 152 (UNESCO). Australia has metres long and covers an was opened in 1901. 19 World Heritage sites. area of 7,000 square metres. The Royal Exhibition Building and Carlton Gardens was the first built site in Australia to be added to the list. The Walk 1 Begin your walk at the 4 This circular forecourt 7 Interpretive sign 9 Osborne House 12 You’ll notice many of The walk begins at the World Heritage sign contains the French , who (1850) has operated as the trees have circular Royal Exhibition Building at the Royal Exhibition Fountain featuring designed the Exhibition a boarding house since metal bands or possum and ends at Melbourne Building’s northern bronzed winged children. Building, was possibly 1888, and is one of the tree guards, to limit Museum, although you entrance. The Exhibition The fountain was the most influential oldest boarding houses the damage to trees can start and finish it at Building was designed purchased and erected Victorian era architect in Victoria. from the native brush any point. As you walk by Joseph Reed and built here at the end of the in Melbourne. His other tailed possums which 10 Moreton Bay Fig Trees along the pathways through by David Mitchell for the 1880 exhibition. grand buildings include live in the gardens. Prior to the development the gardens, use this Melbourne International the Royal Society of 5 The Westgarth of Melbourne, this 13 As you walk through the brochure to discover the Exhibition, 1880–81. The Victoria building, Trades Fountain featuring area was used by the gardens observe the points of interest en route. building and its associated Hall, , kangaroos smoothly Woiworung people, axial paths radiating gardens are a rare intact the State Library and the • The walk includes carved in Aberdeen one of the groups which from the fountain. reminder of the 19th . 36 individual points granite was a gift to the make up the Kulin Nation. These join a series of century International The builder David Mitchell of interest people of Melbourne by From early last century serpentine pathways Exhibitions movement. (father of Dame Nellie pioneer settler William Fitzroy became home around the garden’s • The complete walk Melba), was also a major 2 Colonial Square is Westgarth in 1888. to many Aboriginal perimeter, remnants of takes approximately figure and responsible an installation of carved It was designed to cater groups. Koories (local an earlier garden layout. one hour for building the Customs stonework from the for the whole family with Aboriginals) regularly While the design and • Drinking fountains House, now the former Colonial Mutual water spouts for adults met and socialised under planning of the Southern and public toilets are Immigration Museum, Life building built in at the top, children in the these trees. Archie gardens is attributed marked on the map Scots Church and Saint 1896 and demolished middle, and a trough for Roach, popular Aboriginal to Reed, the layout and Patrick’s Cathedral. • The entire walk is in 1960. Many of the dog at the bottom. singer/songwriter planting was by well wheelchair and Marvellous Melbourne’s 8 In the red brick Cable wrote ‘Beggerman’ and known horticulturalist 6 Royal Terrace (1853–58) pram friendly grand buildings have Tram Engine House ‘Charcoal Lane’ which William Sangster. just over the road is one • Further information not survived. (1886–87) on Nicholson depict his life in this area. of Melbourne’s finest 14 Sangster’s avenue is available at Street, heavy machinery 3 The Obelisk of Victorian examples of Regency 11 The Lake formerly a planting style is informal, turned cables which ran Sandstone was erected style terrace housing. It small quarry, is one of two often exhibiting underground, pulling by Member of Parliament is one of the oldest and in the south Gardens alternating tree species cable trams around the John Woods in 1881, largest terraces in Victoria. created for the 1880 as exhibited here with a city. Cable trams ferried as a protest against the exhibition. It is possible to mixture of oaks (Quercus visitors to the 1888 use of New South Wales see the building reflected sp.) and hoop pines Centennial International sandstone to extend in the water in the right (Araucaria bidwilli). Exhibition from the city Parliament House. He weather conditions. centre. They operated on stated that the stone from Rides in a gondola were some routes until 1940. his electorate was just available during the as durable. 1888 exhibition. The Royal Exhibition Building and Carlton Gardens Map

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NICHOLSON STREET T T NICHOLSON STREET

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NORTH 3 SOUTH CARLTON 13 CARLTON GARDENS GARDENS

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1 ROYAL 17 MELBOURNE 36 EXHIBITION 16 15 T MUSEUM BUILDING VICTORIA STREET CARLTON STREET

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RATHDOWNE STREET 21 RATHDOWNE STREET

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Public toilets Drinking fountain T Tram stop 15 The ‘Grand Allee’ 17 Interpretive sign 19 As you walk south west 22 Interpretive sign 24 Interpretive sign 26 Adjacent is the Carlton leading from Victoria The Royal Exhibition you’ll pass another The Exhibition Building Museum Victoria, in Gardens Primary Street to the Exhibition Building was erected as ornamental lake. This was the setting for collaboration with a School (1883–84), a Building’s southern a ‘Palace of Industry’. It lake was the inspiration the opening of the first number of partners, Victorian building with entrance is the perfect displayed the technologies for a poem, ‘The Poor Federal parliament on undertook a major external Gothic Revival contrast to Sangster’s and achievements of the Shall Feed The Birds’, 9 May 1901. Over 12,000 project in 2009 to 2011 features. In 1901, informal planting. This mechanised age. Its huge by Australian poet John people attended the to restore the 1880 children from this and avenue of plane trees temporary halls housed Shaw Neilson. During event in Australia’s garden layout. An other local Carlton (Platanus sp.) imitated exhibits from more the 1920s while working largest building. On underground tank with Primary Schools planted the ceremonial walk than 30 nations. Pianos, in the Exhibition Annexes 3 September 1901, the a storage capacity of pepper trees (Schinus at the Royal Palace of typewriters, lawnmowers, he wrote to a friend: new Australian flag was 1.35 million litres was molle) in the Gardens Versailles in France and electric lights, carriages ‘it is always the poor first unveiled and flown installed. The water from for Arbor Day. A pepper produces a landscape and decorative homewares people who feed the here. Federal Parliament this tank is used on the tree of about that age effect possibly unique were all on display. The birds. No well dressed took over Victoria’s gardens and to feed the can be seen here. in Australia. During 1880 exhibition was the people come – I suppose Parliament House, so fountains, ensuring a 27 A lake, part of Clement the 1930s, a homeless greatest show the city they are away motoring or Victoria’s state parliament sustainable future for Hodginson’s 1870’s men’s shelter was had ever seen, and entertaining their friends.’ sat in the Western this World Heritage site. design, once occupied erected in the centre attracted over one million Annexe until 1927. 20 At the end of this path, Passing the Children’s the site of this modern of the avenue, a respite visitors; it changed public across Victoria Street is 23 The Western Forecourt Museum you’ll enter playground. Surviving for those living in the taste in Melbourne. The Royal Society of has undergone many the north gardens, the 1880 and 1888 nearby rooming houses. 18 Interpretive sign Victoria building (1859), changes over the past re-constructed after exhibitions, the lake was 16 At the top of the Grand Ornamental flower also designed by Joseph 130 years. In 1880 it the 1888 Exhibition later paved to form a Allee is the Hochgurtel beds have been a regular Reed. This Society featured a circular bed in simple avenue style. wading pool then drained fountain, taking its feature of Carlton Gardens initiated the explorations which was covered in The trees used for to make way for the name from the designer since the first exhibition. of Burke and Wills to 1888 by a temporary avenue plantings include Children’s Traffic School who won the competition An elaborate series of northern Australia, and annexe built for the , planes, poplars, in the 1960s. to build it for the 1880 parterre (meaning pattern) expeditions to Antarctica. Centennial International oaks and eucalypts. 28 On your right you’ll exhibition. It includes garden beds originally ran Exhibition. The circular 21 Now follow the pathway 25 On Rathdowne Street, pass some of the last symbols of trade, across the southern face garden bed was north, parallel to the imposing red brick remaining sections of commerce, industry, of the building and were reinstated at the close Rathdowne Street, the Sacred Heart Church temporary garden science and art: key removed in the 1920’s. of the exhibition in 1889, extension of Exhibition (1897–99), was also fencing once used to themes at the Melbourne The parterre layout was and remained largely Street, so named designed by Joseph keep visitors to the paths International Exhibition. reconstructed by the City intact until the 1950s because it led visitors Reed and is one of in the 19th century. of Melbourne in 2008 when the whole site from central Melbourne the finest ‘full blown’ and now has a drought was covered in asphalt. to the exhibitions. Baroque churches tolerant planting scheme. in Victoria. 29 The Curator’s Cottage 32 The Path is near 35 Across the road you Timeline was built in 1891, the northern boundary see the impressive and was first occupied of the temporary sandstone Ursula 1850s Area for Carlton Gardens set aside 1930 At the height of the depression, by John Guilfoyle, the annexes built for the Frayne Memorial for Public Purposes. Sidney provides a free curator of parks and 1888 exhibition. These Chapel. It is part of the Christmas Day dinner for 1856 Edward La Trobe Bateman created gardens in Melbourne elms (Ulmus sp.) were Catholic girls’ secondary 11,000 people. from 1892. It still houses probably planted in the college, Academy the first landscape scheme. 1930s Thousands of students sit for school garden staff today. 1870s and are the oldest of Mary Immaculate 1873 Major works in Gardens by Clement trees in the Gardens. and Convent of Mercy and university examinations in the 30 On the north boundary Hodgkinson, Inspector General of Once a common tree in complex. The Chapel Great Hall. University examinations of the cottage in Carlton Parks and Gardens. the parks around inner (1887–90) is a rare continue to be held in the Great Hall. Street is a remnant of Melbourne, elms are now example of an intact 1878 Government chooses Carlton Gardens the elaborate fence 1941 The RAAF School of Technical rare world-wide, due to convent chapel in for purpose built exhibition building. and gates which were Training occupies the building the effects of Dutch Elm the geometric French installed around the whole 1878 Architects Reed and Barnes win until 1946. Disease, which decimated gothic style. of the Gardens for the design competition for the new elm tree populations 1948 After a media campaign a Melbourne 1880 exhibition. It was 36 Melbourne Museum, Exhibition Building. in Europe and America City Councillor proposes that the mounted on a bluestone opened in Carlton in the 1970s. 1880 Melbourne International Exhibition, building should be demolished. plinth which can still be Gardens in 2000, attracts 1.3 million visitors. The proposal is defeated. seen around the perimeter 33 Follow the plane tree continues the tradition of the Gardens. The path to the Tennis of exhibitions on the 1882 Temporary Annexes removed and 1952 The Royale Ballroom opens and cast iron was removed courts and pavilion, site. Designed by Denton northern gardens re-landscaped. becomes a popular meeting spot until its demolition in 1979. in the 1920s. built in 1924 to provide Corker Marshall, the 1885 The Aquarium opens in the for recreational activity contemporary design 31 On the northern side Eastern Annexe. 1953 The Aquarium is destroyed by fire; in the Gardens, and still takes a number of of Carlton Street is most of the exhibits are destroyed. very much in use today. references from the 1888 The Centennial International Gordon Terrace Royal Exhibition Building Exhibition attracts two million 1956 Olympic weight lifting, basketball (1883–85) numbers 90 34 Beyond the tennis courts including the axial visitors, but operates at a loss. and wrestling are held in an annexe to 100. With its cast iron you can see another composition of its three built on the site of the old aquarium. veranda and fence it is grand Victorian mansion, 1890s Northern gardens re-landscaped distinctive roof canopies. typical of boom style on the corner at No 122 and new curator’s cottage built. 1980 The building is re-named the It is not the first Museum domestic architecture of Nicholson Street. Built in ‘Royal Exhibition Building’ in its on the site, as the Royal 1901 The first Australian Federal the Exhibition period: a plain sandstone and brick centenary year during a visit by Exhibition Trustees Parliament is opened on 9 May. distinctive feature of inner in 1862 by John Denny, Princess Alexandra. formed a Museum in suburban Melbourne. it was refaced with its 1901 Victorian Parliament sits in the the Eastern machinery 1985 The building’s interior is restored flamboyant rendered Western Annexe until 1927. annexe at the close to the decorative scheme of 1901 facade during the boom of the Melbourne 1912 The first Motor Show is held (completed 1995). years of the 1880s. in the building. Centennial Exhibition. 2004 The Royal Exhibition Building 1919 A temporary hospital is established and Carlton Gardens is added to in the building to cope with the the World Heritage List and the Influenza Pandemic. National Heritage List. 1922 The Australian War Memorial 2011 Following a two year restoration Museum (later to become the project, the western forecourt Australian War Memorial) opens is reopened to the public. in the Eastern Annexe. ROYAL EXHIBITION For more information on Tours of the Royal Exhibition BUILDING Carlton Gardens contact Building, commencing at Nicholson Street City of Melbourne the Melbourne Museum, Carlton are conducted daily. Access Hotline 03 9658 9658 Victoria Australia is restricted on some days melbourne.vic.gov.au of the year, so please check Adjacent to either at the Museum or Melbourne Museum the Museum website to Telephone 13 11 02 confirm tours are operating. museumvictoria.com.au/reb (Charges apply.)

How to get to the Royal Exhibition Building and Carlton Gardens 20 minute walk Free City Tram 86 or 96 to Undercover from Federation Circle Tram to cnr of Nicholson parking available Square Victoria Street and Gertrude St

e St

Rathdown

Victoria St

K in Queen St S g William St p s Nicholson St e S Melbourne n t c CARLTON e Central Exhibition St r GARDENS Victoria Pde S Russell St t Station Flagstaff Station Latrobe St Elizabeth St Parliament Station Lonsdale St Southern Cross Bourke St Flinders Station Street

Docklands Station Federation MCG Flinders St Square r Rive Yarra

Royal Wes tgate Botanic Fwy Burnley Tunnel Gardens