Melbourne Cemetery Tours
The Melbourne Cemetery is more than a place filled with historic tombstones. Some people may be turned off by the prospect of visiting. Yet, a self-tour offers a worthwhile glimpse into local history. You can do a self tour or take an organized one during daytime or night time. The Cemetery historic society wrote a book about people who are buried in the cemetery and unusual circusmatnces surrounding certain deaths. This book makes a great keepsake after a visit and can also serve to orient your own visit.
Why bother visiting this cemetery? You can be by yourself and benefit from the silence. You can absorb the mystery at different times of day. There's more to be found than typical dates of birth and death on the tombstones. How often do you examine the epitaphs? Whetehr or not poetry is your thing, the words and designs of images and photos unveil some very intriguing local lives.
As well as publicized tours, you can request tours on topics of your choice, for groups of at least five. You help choose the where and when the tours would take place. Special occasions and holidays are sometimes options. Many groups have taken advantage of opportunity to create their own tours. Smaller groups can also be catered as well. Parking is available within the cemetery, though buses and trams also enable you to reach the cemetary by public transit. Taxis are another option. If you desire to get somewhere, you'll find a way to get there. In fact, some people have been known to climb over the gate (even when this isn't recommended).
I liked the idea of picking up a map and setting off to visit graves of Melbourne's oldest cemetery in order to learn about journalists, artists and stage performers, which reflect on the artistic and creative life in Australia. Among other tombstones, you can also learn about politicians, a women's rights activist, a cross dresser, famous jockeys, and a gold rush risk-takers, women's rights activists, cross dressers, a famous jockey, and well-known miners. Check out areas which organize plots according to specific cultural groups and religious backgrounds. The fascinating people paint a picture of the local landscape. What do you wish to know? Find it all out.
Although I haven't seen anyone having a picnic in the cemetery, I've witnessed people reading poetry or books aloud, and other people tending gardens and shrubberry around particular tombstones. Icons and statues and photos are also left at these sites. One miraculous area if the rosegarden where plaques of deceased persons are commemorated with the planting of a rosebush. You can even find a statue and tribute to American singer Elvis Presley. Whatever your idea of a cemetery, this place offers ne layouts and perspectives to show you a different side to Melbourne. If you get tired of walking, sit on a bench and gaze around at the tranquility.
