I'm going to be in Melbourne for about 2 weeks at the end of December, probably with a weekend in Sydney.

Can anyone recommend some great projects and/or bars?

There is plenty to see and do in terms of architecture and bars - usually both at the same time.

I see that via Twitter, someone at Dwell has just done a Melbourne visit so check that information out.

I was back in Melbourne for a weekend in July and had a great time. Its all about the laneways, and theres a great feeling of places/people/events just easily flowing.

The Age [http://www.theage.com.au] has a good section on food and bars, Most things currently in Collingwood.Smith Street are good. And my sentimental favourite bar is Meyers Place in the city.

You should probably reverse that trip location/time wise. Or rent a car so you can see outside of Melbourne a lot.

melbourne's southern cross rail station by nicholas grimshaw. i was there several years ago (when exiting a train) and it was madly in the midst of construction. we had to dodge scaffolding and tarps just to get out to the street, but i'd love to visit the completed building.

there's some kind of like opera house or something in sydney. that's kind of cool, i guess.

and harry seidler's house for his mum is probably worth the trip out to the burbs to find.

I heard about that Opera house, it's near a bridge right? I might check them both out.

How about any 'design' hotels in Sydney?

Thanks ESS; I will definitely check out the train station. It's a shame rail travel is so expensive ( $300 round-trip ), or I'd be taking the train from there to Sydney rather than flying.

Melbourne:
- Fed Square
- ACCA
- Melbourne Recital Centre/Melbourne Theatre Centre
- Storey Hall
- Webb Bridge
- Museum of Melbourne
- laneways and arcades of Melbourne
- Capitol Theatre
- Southern Cross Station

eek. i don't know if that is the above is the list to see or the list to avoid...!

Storey Hall looks truly monstrous!

Thanks for the rest though - Hematophobia, what do you recommend?

Melbourne has a very rigorous and interesting architectural scene. You will see buildings there that are atypical. Storey Hall, and the whole RMIT Campus, and large parts of the CBD and fringe is a treasure trove. The buildings are scene more as part of a wider urban lineage rather than discrete pieces.

Sydney is more of an international metropolis and you will find great architecture there as well. But probably more within global expectations. Having said that, I have far less experience with Sydney's architecture.

d-arch you know the funny thing is i thought about that question long and hard and really struggled to suggest anything decent but here is an attempt and it could be contro(versial) as i come from no archi background and not everyone may agree

_National Gallery of Victoria
_Collins Place (Harry Cobb and IM PEI)
_Monaco House
_Nicolas Building
_Centre Place (off flinders lane, Melbourne's take on NYC)
_Curtin House (for a great example of lots of use) but sure to take the stairs and get to the rooftop bar to see a great view of melbourne's skyline
_GPO Centre (to see what potential the architects did not exploit)
_any of the Aesop stores
_Section 8 for a bar in a shipping container

a fairly random selection but hope you get the eclectic taste of Melbourne.

featherdale wildlife park is rather interesting. also, if you can get a harbour tour of sidney, i would highly recommend it. it is even architectural: lots of amazing houses along the harbour.

i have to recommend the bagel shop "Hells Kitchen" in central place laneway in melbourne. possibly the best bagels i have had anyway. period. probably a few things on my flickr set worth chking out, most should be tagged sufficiently to be of help.


melbourne

for sydney go see the rose seidler house. i loved their relaxed attitude there, you could sit on the lounge and basically make yourself at home - brilliant.


sydney

Nobody here knows how to make bagels so that is incorrect.