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Top 10 Monuments & Statues in Melbourne, Victoria
Lovely, laid-back Melbourne has something for everyone: family fare, local and international art, haute boutiques, multicultural dining, Australian and Aboriginal history, spectator sports, and pulsing, swanky nightlife. Cruise on the free City Circle Tram loop to check out unique attractions like the Royal Botanical Gardens and the Healesville Sanctuary, which buzzes with local animal species.
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1. The Driver and Wipers Memorial
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 5 reviews
Reviewed By 619jeffry - Essendon, Australia
"Wipers" was one of the bloodiest battles of World War I. Officially, the French name is Ypres, but the soldiers shortened the name to Wipers. One statue shows an infantryman, grim and determined, with his rifle held waist-high. The other statue, the Driver, shows defiance in the midst of battle. Both are replicas of the originals held in England, but they are no less impressive for that
2. Shrine of Remembrance
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 5,905 reviews
Visit the Shrine of Remembrance, Melbourne's most iconic landmark, where Victorians have been coming since 1934 to honour the service and sacrifice of Australian men and women in war and peacekeeping. Enter the Shrine and experience the quiet solitude of the Sanctuary where hundreds of thousands pay their respects each year. All visitors are invited to participate in a Remembrance Ceremony featuring the Ray of Light re-enactment. Surrounded by the Shrine Reserve, the Shrine is elevated, overlooking the city of Melbourne within 13 hectares of beautiful parkland. Enjoy stunning views of the Reserve and many of Melbourne's landmarks from the balcony of the Shrine. Explore the monuments and memorials throughout the Reserve, including the Gallipoli Memorial, as well as the many remembrance trees dedicated to Victorian service units from the Boer War onwards. The Eternal Flame on the Second World War Forecourt symbolises eternal life for those who have served. The Ray of Light ceremony is central to the experience of the Shrine of Remembrance. A ray of natural sunlight passes through an aperture in the ceiling of the Sanctuary and falls onto the Stone of Remembrance over the word "love" at precisely 11.00 am on 11 November each year. This is the moment when the armistice was signed in 1918 marking the end of hostilities in the First World War. The ceremony is now reproduced every half hour using electric light to allow all visitors to the Shrine to experience it. The Shrine also has an extensive permanent and temporary exhibition space. The Galleries of Remembrance is a $45 million Victorian Government redevelopment that utilises 1,600 square metres of undercroft space beneath the Shrine. Over 850 objects illustrate the experiences of Australians at war and in peacekeeping operations, from Pre-Federation to the present day, with a particular focus on individual and unit stories of Victorian service and sacrifice. A highlight of the exhibition is the SS Devanha lifeboat, a Gallipoli landing boat on loan from the collection of the Australian War Memorial. The Devanha carried soldiers of the 12th Battalion and the 3rd Field Ambulance into Anzac Cove on the morning of 25 April 1915.
Reviewed By RRaposoMiami - Miami, United States
What a great tribute to those that gave for their country during WWI. The side of this large structure is inscribed with: This monument was erected by a grateful people to the honored memory of the men and women of Victoria who served the Empire in the great war of 1914-1918. The classic structure features a Greek-Roman Columned facade with lots of steps leading to the entrance and large sculptures on the sides. It looks smaller from a distance, but much larger once you approach or go inside. It's located in a beautiful peaceful, quiet and grass and trees filled park with other smaller monuments. Although we didn't get a chance to go inside, just witnessing the building and area is very moving.
3. John Landy And Ron Clarke - Sportsmanship Statue
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 5 reviews
Reviewed By 619jeffry - Essendon, Australia
Australians pride themselves on sportsmanship, and this incident in the Australian National Championships, held prior to the 1956 Olympics, is a pre-eminent example. Ron Clarke, who was later to represent Australia, had his heels clipped and fell. John Landy turned to see if Clarke was hurt. Landy resumed the race, and won. Ron Clarke was a great athlete, who went on to hold numerous world records. John Landy was the second man to break the four-minute mile barrier.
4. Weary Dunlop Monument
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 3 reviews
Reviewed By ET3121 - Greater Melbourne, Australia
Whenever I recommend people to visit the Shrine, I always tell them to make sure to start visit at this statue and tell them of this great man and his selfless behaviour during and after the war. If you haven’t heard of him than google the great man.
5. Police Memorial
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 7 reviews
Reviewed By Swelltraveller67 - Melbourne, Australia
This is a great reminder of how hard police work to keep us safe. This monument stands quietly amongst the greenery and along St Kilda Rd in Melbourne. It is a noble structure for a noble force and serves it's purpose well. The inscription states: This memorial recognises the ultimate sacrifice paid by members of the Victoria Police Force in maintaining law & order in Victoria. The memorial stands as a symbol of the community's deepest respect and as a tribute to those members of the Victoria Police Force who have given their lives in the line of duty so that the Victorian community is a safer place for all. The names of Police officers who died on duty are cast in bronze plaques set into the wall. Currently adorned with wreaths and floral tributes due to the recent tragedy where 4 police were killed in 1 incident. Worth a visit no matter the time of year.
6. Victorian Mounted Rifles Boer War Memorial
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 4 reviews
Reviewed By 619jeffry - Essendon, Australia
When the Boers (Dutch for farmers) challenged Britain's dominance of South Africa, the Empire responded. It is estimated that 12,000 men from the six Australian colonies responded to the call to arms, including the 5th Contingent of the Victorian Mounted Rifles. Some 600 Australians failed to return. The Australians were good horsemen and good bushmen, but their deployment was not without controversy. In many ways, the Boer War (1899-1902) was Australia's baptism of fire as a nation.
7. Captain Matthew Flinders Statue
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 8 reviews
Reviewed By 619jeffry - Essendon, Australia
Captain Metthew Flinders was a gifted naviagator. He sailed in a small boat around Australia -- the first time this had been done. He also mapped the coast of the isand continent. Like mamy heeroes, his acheivements faded from public view, until a recent revival of interest. The statue of Flinders, standing in realistic form in the bow of a boat, supported by two seamen can be found in the grounds of St Paul's Anglican Cathedral, on the Swanston St side.
8. The Reuniting Family Sculpture
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 7 reviews
Reviewed By 619jeffry - Essendon, Australia
After World War II, many Italian families were impoverished. The father would establish himself in Australia, then pay for his family to join him. The greeting was a time of mixed feelings -- how would the children react to a man who they hardly remember? The Grollo family, buidlers of the Rialto buiildings, flourished in Australia. This a heartwarming scene, remembering a time when families came together again.
9. The Australian Turkish Friendship Memorial
10. The Man with the Donkey
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 4 reviews
Reviewed By 619jeffry - Essendon, Australia
Few Australians would not have heard of John Simpson Kirkpatrick, "The Man with the Donkey." He landed at Gallipoli and with his donkey, took water to the front line troops and returned with wounded soldiers. Although his mission did not last long -- from 25 April to 19 May 1915 -- he will ever be remembered for his stoic heroism. The statue of Simpson and his Donkey, assisting a wounded man, is of bronze, with a granite pedestal. It is located in the western forecourt at the Shrine of Remembrance.
