Hello Reader,

Paul here.

On our tour through the Hardware Lane Precinct, we finish up at Guildford Lane, which is one of my favourite lanes. I call it the Pot Plant Lane, for the good reason that it’s teeming with pot plants. The green of the leaves contrasts perfectly with the red brick of the old factories and warehouses. As has been written elsewhere, the industrial past meets a green future.

Of the many delights in Guildford Lane, my favourites are two images tucked in among the ferns as you wander up the slight rise towards the cafés. The first image features a man of comfortable girth and homely visage watering the plants. The second features a small girl crouched at ground level, peering through a magnifying glass at the creatures before her.

Both images were created by one artist, Jo Travis, whose handle is N2O.

Jo, who lives in Melbourne, modelled the girl with the magnifying glass on her daughter. She created the piece for an exhibition that was held in the Campbell Arcade — the tunnel that connects Flinders Street Station with Degraves Street.

The piece, called Life in the Undergrowth, is about the joy of discovering tiny wonders in our natural world. Jo took it upon herself to paint a version in Guildford Lane.

The piece featuring the man with the hose is called simply The Gardener. Jo originally painted him on an abandoned shack in a paddock in NSW. She also painted him at the Dandenong Market. She says the version in Guildford Lane is her favourite because it “just fits into the space so well”.

Jo painted The Gardener at the request of the residents committee that oversees the garden in Guildford Lane. She says the placement of both pieces is important. The works interact with the environment. They are of the street. They are there for all of us to enjoy.

I take the Hardware Lane & the Super Seven tour every Friday afternoon, and I'd love to show you Jo's work in person. Private group bookings are also available any time.

Cheers,
Paul

P.S. Speaking of getting around — you may have spotted the new tap-and-go contactless payments popping up on Melbourne's trains and trams. Tempting, but hold off! If you've got a Seniors myki, stick with it for now — the contactless option doesn't recognise your concession, so you'd end up paying full fare. We've updated our Seniors myki guide with what to watch out for (and what to do if you tap on by accident) — read more here.​

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WHAT'S ON - Mark Your Calendars

• ​Open House Melbourne ​​(24 – 26 Jul 2026). Don’t miss the rare chance to step inside some of the city’s most intriguing spaces—many of which only open their doors to the public this one weekend a year. The 2026 program goes live on Wednesday 24 June 2026. ​Read our guide here.​
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• ​The Melbourne Fair (30 Jul – 2 Aug 2026). Discover one of Australia’s premier antiques and art fairs, featuring more than 60 dealers showcasing fine art, jewellery, vintage fashion, furniture, decorative arts and rare collectibles. Held at Caulfield Racecourse.
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• ​Dunkeld Writers Festival (28 – 30 Aug 2026). Escape to the Grampians for a weekend of inspiring conversations with some of Australia’s leading authors, journalists and storytellers. Set against the stunning backdrop of Dunkeld, the festival features thought-provoking talks, book discussions and special literary events in one of regional Victoria’s most picturesque settings.
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• ​Coburg Multicultural Brunch Tour (18 Jul, 22 Aug 2026). Experience six foodie stops showcasing cuisines from around the globe without ever leaving Melbourne. Food, community, connection, and the simple joy of breaking bread! Tickets $65. Book here.​
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• ​VAS Winter Select Exhibition 2026 (16 Jul – 2 Aug 2026). This exhibition showcases outstanding works by Victorian Artists Society members across painting, drawing, sculpture and mixed media, with selected artists competing for the Hylton Mackley Artist of the Year Award. It highlights a strong range of contemporary and traditional talent from the VAS community.
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• ​Ngarn Wa’ngal: Art of the Gum Tree (until 21 Nov 2026). This major free exhibition explores the cultural, environmental and artistic significance of the eucalypt through more than 160 historical and contemporary works. Featuring renowned artists including Arthur Boyd, Albert Namatjira, Vincent Namatjira and Christian Thompson, alongside new commissions created for the exhibition.
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• ​Mostly Mozart: Play with Fire (3 Sep 2026). ANAM musicians present a fiery morning of classical music featuring works by Haydn, De Falla, Debussy, Scriabin and Mozart. Complimentary morning tea is included before the concert.
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• ​Death of a Salesman (11 – 22 Aug 2026). Anthony LaPaglia stars in Arthur Miller’s Pulitzer Prize-winning classic, portraying travelling salesman Willy Loman in a powerful story of ambition, family and the pursuit of the Australian Dream. Current offer: 15% off mid-week performances* for a limited time.

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