Hostel: We arrived in Melbourne early in the morning and fortunately, were able to check into our hostel. The room was small, with a bunk bed, but was very clean. A nice place to stay, if you don't mind sharing a bathroom. Sort of like camping. When we checked in, they even invited us to eat breakfast, which was still being served, even though we didn't stay there the night before.
Captain Cook's Cabin: After breakfast, we went to see Captain Cook's childhood cabin, which was moved from England. Captain Cook mapped Australia's east coast and claimed it for England.
Melbourne Parliament House: Our next stop was at our third Parliament House for the trip. I told Peep this was beginning to be the Tour of Australian Parliament Houses. The national government sat here immediately before moving to Canberra, relegating the state government to the Royal Exhibition Building, seen in the right-hand photo. All Parliament houses in Australia are designed so members are seated in a horseshoe shape around a center table. The government is seated on the left while the opposition is seated on the right, with the clerks seated at the head of the center table, just below the head of the upper or lower house. The Senate is furnished in green while the House of Representatives is furnished in red.
Old Melbourne Gaol: The gaol was one of the main, historical penitentiary facilities in Melbourne. Australia was at one time a penal colony for the United Kingdom, and criminals were sent there following sentencing.
Most of the gaol has been destroyed to make room for the construction of other buildings, with only one expansion wing still standing. Most of the cells had informative displays on some of the prisoners, executioners, guards, and other aspects of life in the gaol.
The majority of Australia's executions took place at the goal, all by hanging. The gallows and trap door are on the second floor of the museum. Australia's most famous bushranger, Ned Kelly, was executed at the gaol.
Flinders Street Station: Walking around Melbourne we passed the Flinders Street Station several times, so we stopped to take a picture of the unique architecture of this building. Built in the early 1900's and opened in 1910, Flinders Street Station serves as the central station to Melbourne's metro rail service.
As evening came, all sightseeing facilities closed, so Peep and I, not too interested in shopping or night life, took the opportunity to catch a movie, "300", before heading back to the hostel.