Jaunted

Street Art

Aerosol Arabic in Melbourne

October 27, 2008 at 2:59 PM | 0 Comments

Melbourne is big on covering the walls of its laneways with street art. We like that. But apparently lots of Melbournites think that the latest decorations of Spark Lane off Flinders Street are taking things too far.

As part of the Melbourne International Arts Festival, a British graffiti artist with the less-than-original name of Mohammed Ali--aka Aerosol Arabic--has been flown in to cover Spark Lane with a mix of street art and Islamic calligraphy.

We’re more than happy to wander Melbourne’s sidestreets to check out this kind of art, but apparently there’s a group called Graffiti Hurts Australia who think otherwise--and are sure the festival will only lead to more vandalism.

Check out Spark Lane when you’re next in Melbourne and see what you think--we're pretty sure that this graffiti is totally not hurting Australia.

--AmandaK

Related Stories:
· Imported Street Artist Cops a Spray [Herald Sun]
· Free Stuff in Melbourne: Street Art is All Around [Jaunted]
· Melbourne Travel coverage [Jaunted]

[Photo: Aerosol Arabic]

Australia Travel

Adventure Travel: Jumping off Buildings in Melbourne

September 5, 2008 at 9:30 AM | 0 Comments

Usually throwing yourself off a building is considered a fairly anti-social act, but in Melbourne they're encouraging tourists to do it. But it has to be the sixth-floor roof of the Urban Central backpackers' building, under the guidance of someone from Macka Mackail's Rap Jumping.

Rap jumping is a bit like abseiling, except that you're staring down at the ground, which makes it a whole lot scarier. For A$65 ($55) you can jump off the hostel not once but three times. It's not that tall--but it looks kind of terrifying.

Rap Jumping in Melbourne boasts a 100 percent safety record (which sounds kind of like Aussie carrier Qantas, until recently) but if you're still not sure, check this video and decide if you're brave enough to rap jump or not.

Related Stories:
· Rap Jumping [Official Site]
· Over the Top in Melbourne [The Advertiser]
· Melbourne Travel coverage [Jaunted]

[Photo: Micheletti11]

Australia Travel

Melbourne Chocolate Heaven: Koko Black

August 1, 2008 at 9:45 AM | 0 Comments

Jaunted's Amanda Kendle just got back from Melbourne. This week: Read all about it.

Melbourne might have great cakes, but it's got even better chocolate. With half a dozen excellent chocolatiers across the city center, it's hard to choose but once you've tried the chocolate mousse at Koko Black you'll be completely converted.

Koko has several locations across Melbourne and a store in Canberra now, too, but the sweetest shop is in the Royal Arcade off Bourke Street.

Head upstairs and order a sit-down chocolate meal with a smooth and steamy hot chocolate, or just buy up a selection of incredible truffles and other assorted chocolates at the front counter on the ground floor. Or do both.

Related Stories:
· Koko Black [Official Site]
· When in Melbourne: Must Have Cakes at Brunetti [Jaunted]
· Polish Cuisine in Melbourne: Borsch, Vodka & Tears [Jaunted]

Australia Travel

Free Stuff in Melbourne: Street Art is All Around

July 31, 2008 at 9:18 AM | 0 Comments

Jaunted's Amanda Kendle just got back from Melbourne. This week: Read all about it.

You don't have to spend all your time eating cakes or drinking vodka to enjoy Melbourne. Just wandering the central streets of downtown Melbourne is probably going to get your camera clicking.

Melbourne has a well-deserved reputation as Australia's cultural capital and it does a much better job of supporting art, music and theater than other cities. Street art is alive and blooming in Melbourne and you can find it along heaps of alleyways running off the main streets. Just follow your nose and turn right or left--the grid layout of Melbourne makes it impossible to get lost.

For example, stumble into Heffernan Lane between Bourke and Lonsdale Streets, and you'll see the results of a "camouflaged street art" project where street signs are actually full of wise sayings. Others have spectacular graffiti and then there are lanes with cool names: There's even ACDC Lane, named after the great Aussie band. Only in Melbourne!

Related Stories:
· When in Melbourne: Must Have Cakes at Brunetti [Jaunted]
· Polish Cuisine in Melbourne: Borsch, Vodka & Tears [Jaunted]