#SnapMelbourne: Show us what you love0:45
Erin Kostopoulos from the Canon Collective in Melbourne teaches us how to master the art of abstract photography.
#SnapMelbourne: 12 obscure Melbourne Instagram spots you’ve (probably) never heard of
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YOU'RE not a true Melburnian until you’ve slapped a filter on our iconic Flinders St station and uploaded it to Instagram.
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But there’s more to photograph in our diverse city than the usual suspects of St Kilda Beach, the MCG, Crown Casino and Hosier Lane.
From unique skylines to secret heritage sites, here are #SnapMelbourne’s top picks to set up a tripod if you’re looking for a secret spot away from the crowds.
1. Montsalvat, Eltham
Be transported to the Mediterranean in this charming cobblestoned commune just 24km from Melbourne CBD. Spring is the time to visit, with its quaint mud brick cottages set in 4.8ha of blossoming gardens. Montsalvat is home to Australia’s oldest artist’s colony and features musical performances and a rotating series of exhibitions.
2. 333 Collins St, Melbourne CBD
While many Melburnians have admired its distinct green copper dome from afar, few have ventured into the encased jewel box hidden in 333 Collins St. Previously home to the Commercial Bank of Australia, the Italian renaissance and baroque banking chamber has been lovingly restored and dramatically lit to show off its full glory. Don’t forget to pack the wide angle lens.
3. Jack’s Magazine, Maribyrnong
Secret tunnels and hidden tramways are part of this forgotten 1870s explosives warehouse, nestled into parkland along the Maribyrnong River. The historic building will be revived when the City of Maribyrnong breathes new life into it, so check out its original condition while you still can. Entrance by tours with Working Heritage.
4. Capital City Trail, Yarra River
Most Melburnians have strolled or biked along the Yarra River, but how many have tackled its bordering 29km loop trail, let alone recognise its name? The Capital City Trail meanders from Princes Bridge in the CBD and bends at Burnley, stretching up to Fitzroy North before cutting through Collingwood Children’s Farm and down to Docklands. Some areas are peaceful and rich with the call of native birds, making this track the closest thing to a country-style escape from the city.
5. SS Speke, Phillip Island
The brutality of nature is tangibly on display at Phillip Island’s SS Speke shipwreck. A rusted bow and strewn wreckage are all that remains of the three-masted ship that came ashore at Kitty Miller Bay in 1906. A short but steep, muddy walk from the carpark, the 2876-ton vessel’s wreck remains upright in accessible shallow water, mirroring the landmark Pyramic Rock in the distance.
6. Bunbury St rail tunnel, Footscray
Offering unique, gritty views of Melbourne CBD, this rail tunnel is beloved by trainspotters, street artists and urban photographers alike. Located near Footscray Community Arts Centre, the surrounding walls and bridges are covered in colourful street art and that CBD skyline view is one-of-a-kind.
7. Redwood forest, Warburton
This is one spot that’s beautiful year-round — rain, hail or shine. Planted in the 1930s, a hidden forest of towering Californian redwoods is the perfect spot for a walk in the woods that will leave you spellbound. The sequoias can be popular on weekends but with more than 1400 trees, there’s plenty of space for everyone.
8. Melbourne Tram Museum, Hawthorn
One for the young and young-at-heart, Hawthorn’s heritage depot is now home to 21 fully-restored trams for visitors to clamber into and explore. And yes, you can ding the tram bells too. Easily accessible by (you guessed it) tram, the museum is open on second and fourth Saturdays.
9. Jawbone Marine Sanctuary, Williamstown
While beachgoers sun themselves at the hustle and bustle of the Esplanade, this protected promontory is a flora and fauna haven on sea and land. Mangrove-dwellers can be spotted in the wetlands, while rock pools and seagrass are home to a variety of marine life. If you and your camera gear would rather stay dry, this patch of coastline is also known for its stunning sunsets.
10. Tarrawarra Estate, Yarra Valley
How to sate a Melbourne Instagrammer’s desires: Offer clean, edgy architecture, pair with local cool-climate wines and mix with rotating collections of modern art. With the Yarra Valley as a picturesque backdrop, Tarrawarra Estate shares its home with a museum of art which reopens later this month for a biennial exhibition of contemporary Aussie creations.
11. Bushrangers Bay, Cape Schanck
Got energy to burn? Walkers tackling this easy 2.6km hike are rewarded with access to a remote sandy bay surrounded by dramatic basalt cliffs — the perfect location for that #squadgoals selfie. Crystal clear rock pools are sheltered from the wild waters of Cape Schanck at low tide, but swimmers venture at their own risk.
12. Kurth Kiln, Gembrook
Hidden in a Dandenongs regional park is a little-known spot that played an important role in World War II. Shaped like a child’s Lego construction, the eight-metre Kurth Kiln churned out 1.4 tonnes of charcoal a day in its bid to help with the war effort. Topped with an iron chimney, this historic building is the only one of its type in Australia and surrounded by picnic flats, campgrounds and riding tracks.
