Bunjilaka

I feel we have really seen the rest of the city today and educated ourselves about the cultural history.

We walked beside the river and learnt about how the city grew up around it; along to Enterprize Park where the "scar trees" represent those that indigenous people use as a signpost to let other clans know they had entered their community.

We jumped on a tram from here up north to Queen Victoria Market which has been operating since 1878. It's huge. Unfortunately Sundays is clothes instead of food but their was still an excellent delicatessen section where we got ourselves some lunch time delicacies.

After lunch it was even hotter than before lunch but we still persevered with another long walk due east to the Melbourne Museum (we thought we should visit one museum while we were here), we went to the Melbourne museum for the Bunjilaka exhibition.

The name Bunjilaka is derived from Bunjil, the wedge-tailed eagle 'the creator' and aka, meaning land in the language of the Boon Wurrung and Woi Wurrung people, the traditional owners of Melbourne. The exhibition explored the history of the people, the impact that new settlers has had upon them and the remaining controversies. It was a really interesting introduction to the issue.


Before heading back we visited a modern aboriginal fine art gallery for comparison. Restrained from buying any; they didn't fit with our rucksack or budget.

We're now back at the hotel sneaking in a final shower and complementary tea before heading back into town for the last time to have some dinner and catch the overnight bus to Sydney.

Farewell Melbourne.