The Rattler Pole
The Rattler Pole
4
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Neighbourhood: Central Business District
Full of discovery and delight, Melbourne’s laneways tease the imagination long after you’ve put your weary feet up to rest. They weave through the heart of the city: cafes, bars, restaurants and boutiques, throbbing with conversation and espresso coffee. You never quite know what you’ll find around the next corner: cobblestone alleys, old beer barrel hoists and even vats of simmering organic soup. There is the air of Berlin in the street art, a touch of Paris in the umbrella-shaded cafes and, reminiscent of Rome, eateries tucked away in the most unlikely of places. Perhaps you might want a break and cross the Yarra River to Southbank - walk along the promenade, bask in the sun at a waterside bar and decide whether to go to the nearby casino or book a ticket at the Melbourne theatre company.
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4.0
8 reviews
Excellent
1
Very good
7
Average
0
Poor
0
Terrible
0
BrianRelax
Exeter302 contributions
Mar 2018 • Couples
I saw this from the train while travelling between Flinders Street and Southern Cross and had to return on foot to find it, because I couln't believe what I thought I'd seen. It's on the corner of Flinders and Spencer Streets by the Grand Hotel and is so hidden by flag poles and palm trees that you'd think that the city council didn't want people to see it. I couldn't find any sort of plaque to say what it was or who did it that I had to resort to Google.
It's a full size representation of a W-class tram by David Michael Bell, is called 'Raising the Rattler Pole - the Last of the Connies' and was installed in 2013
It's a full size representation of a W-class tram by David Michael Bell, is called 'Raising the Rattler Pole - the Last of the Connies' and was installed in 2013
Written 13 March 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Jeffry b
Essendon, Australia13,594 contributions
Nov 2023 • Friends
The Rattler Pole shows a W Class Tram emerging from the environs of the Railway Administration Building. The sculpture appears to be a real tram, although it's not. The Rattler Pole is a reference to the days when trams rattled around Melbourne. The trams were staffed by conductors, or "connies" who often caused chaos by calling snap strikes.
Written 11 December 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
AndyJohn74
Sydney, Australia5,249 contributions
Mar 2021 • Solo
Located in this little space is a sculpture of an up turned tram. It has coloured lighting at night which makes it more visible. Currently there is some hoarding around the space.
Written 2 March 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
C...
Victoria, Australia87,741 contributions
June 2020
At the corner of Flinders Street and Spencer Street is a 6-ton, 26-foot tram that appears to be flipped on its side, its rear sticking straight up toward the sky. No accident occurred here, however. Rather, this sculpture is an ode to Melbourne’s last W-class “rattler” tram. Yarra Trams currently operate the remaining W-class trams to service the tourist bearing City Circle route 35.
The installation, by artist David Bell, is titled “Raising the Rattler Pole—The Last of the Connie’s.” It is painted black, rather than the familiar yellow and white trams you’ll see today, though the windows seem to eerily light up at night.
Rattler Pole is a stone monument to the memory of these trams and it is placed on its end to give that sense of "ruin" -- what we have lost, including the wonderful "connies" (conductors) who were often such characters.
The installation, by artist David Bell, is titled “Raising the Rattler Pole—The Last of the Connie’s.” It is painted black, rather than the familiar yellow and white trams you’ll see today, though the windows seem to eerily light up at night.
Rattler Pole is a stone monument to the memory of these trams and it is placed on its end to give that sense of "ruin" -- what we have lost, including the wonderful "connies" (conductors) who were often such characters.
Written 18 June 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
EndlessTravels
Greater Melbourne, Australia38,707 contributions
Apr 2018
You could spend all day just checking out the unique sculptures around melbourne. This sculpture is one of my favourites. Easily visited via city circle tram. Stops right at sculpture
Written 7 April 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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