Weekend stopover. Strange city. Nothing to do?
Not if you're in Melbourne…
By Bernard O'KeefeHooray! It's holiday time. Your family has arrived at a major city for a weekend stopover, prior to the start of your 'trip proper'. But… uh oh: the children's excitement starts to wane as they realise they'll have nothing to do for one, maybe two days. Bored after the first hour, they start to fight. Patience wears thin, tempers get frayed. Not really the best start to a holiday, is it?
Now, if your family found themselves in Melbourne (the capital of Victoria, Australia), they'd find plenty to do - starting with a taxi or tram down to Swanston Street.
Once there, besides the various coffee shops that are scattered throughout the area, they'll find two enthralling activities to entertain and amuse: one, thought provoking; the other transporting them, literally, back in time.
Red Pants
The corner of Swanston and Little Collins Street - in the C.B.D. (City Business District) - is known locally as Pavement Chess corner. And for good reason. For here you will discover a giant chess board, made up of 16 inch black and white paving slabs, populated by large plastic chess pieces (supplied by the City Council) which - though knee-high - are extremely light, so even the children can play.
The "board" was created by Paul Bram - owner of the nearby jewellery shop - as a memorial to his brother Tom, a young Melbourne chess player who died at the age of 25, (his commemorative plaque can be seen in the corner of the board), and attracts a coterie of local celebrity players, not least, Luke (aka 'Red Pants').
Three or more times a week, Luke is to be found at the corner playing games lasting anything from a few minutes to an hour (or even more).
Unafraid to sacrifice a piece or two, to help him gain an advantage, Luke's sudden Kamikaze moves often reap great rewards. (When this happens, you'll hear gasps of amazement from the many 'fans' who scrutinise his every move.)
The games usually commence around lunch time, continuing throughout the afternoon, and - often -- long into the night. They can attract large crowds too - especially at lunch time, as the corner is over-looked by the Café L'Incontro, where your family take in the action whilst enjoying a cappuccino and a cake.
After you've enjoyed your afternoon tea, why not take the time to throw down the gauntlet to 'Red Pants' - or whoever is playing? Who knows - you just might gain control of the board. Or find in your child a protégé in the making.
And once you've tired of chess, consider taking a tour with a difference: just across the road from 'the board', you'll see teams of Percheron horses and guides, ready to propel you, by open air carriage, to and around the city's numerous tourist must-sees.
Percheron are in fact a French 'draught horse'. They are bred to work hard - often pulling heavy loads, inured to the Melbourne traffic. And they're at your service, whatever the weather.
Rain or shine, the unique guided tours continue to run - their passengers protected from the weather, like the rich nobility of yesteryear, while their benighted drivers brave the elements.
The usual charge is around A$50 for a 15 minute drive (A$100 for half an hour). And the carriages and their guides - many of whom have plied their trade on Swanston Street for upwards of 20 years - are available for weddings and other events too. (Indeed, one of the teams was used for the television wedding of Charlene and Scott - Kylie Minogue and Jason Donovan - as seen in the Australian 'soap', Neighbours.)
Swanton Street also offers horsepower of another kind - in the form of the free Circle Line trams that circumnavigate the city, passing an array of attractions along their route.
No day out in Melbourne would be complete without a gentle stroll along the banks of the Yarra River.
And, if time permits, you should also take the family to the TelstraDome - to watch the famous Collingwood AFL team play 'Aussie Rules Football'.
Time left to spare? No matter - for numerous attractions and distractions compete for your attention in multifaceted Melbourne: a true city for all tastes.
In fact, so universal is the city's appeal that even your children will agree: your imposed 'short stopover' may be just a little too short.
For more information on Melbourne, its amenities - and an array of places to see, stay, eat and enjoy - visit www.visitmelbourne.com.
