Melbourne from way above

No, I haven't been on the roof of the Highrise with a camera. This image was taken by astronaut Scott Kelly in the International Space Station and tweeted by him. I hope it is large enough for you to make out after clicking on it. If you are unfamiliar with Melbourne, you might be interested in some detail. Bottom right is Port Phillip Bay, apparently so I have just leant, now just Port Phillip. The dominant pier is Station Pier where cruise ships and the Spirit of Tasmania ferry berth. Station Pier is in Port Melbourne and along the coast are the suburbs of Albert Park, Middle Park, St Kilda and part of Elwood. The large area of sandy beach is next to the visible and famous St Kilda Pier with its marina and breakwaters which are home to Fairy Penguins.

Out of shot is the mouth of the Yarra River, dredged deep enough for the largest ships to enter the river to just past where the winding Maribyrnong River enters the Yarra. This is where ships are unloaded and sometimes even get loaded. The wider water area upstream is Docklands with its many highrise office and apartment buildings.

Just to the top of the city the Exhibition Buildings are visible in parkland. The green to the right, Treasury and Fitzroy Gardens and the oval of the Melbourne Cricket Ground with 'not round ground' below that, used for rugby and soccer I think. Less clear and kind of between them is where the Australian Tennis Open is played. Below that and across the Yarra is the Royal Botanic Gardens and government house, the home of our State Governor, mostly a ceremonial role but he/she does sign important documents. If the Governor is 'at home', his flag flies. If it is not flying, he is away.

Along the left  of the river are the suburbs of Spotswood and Yarraville and near the bend in the river can be seen Flemington Racecourse, home of the horse racing Melbourne Cup and the Royal Melbourne Show. Royal Park containing Melbourne Zoo is up near the top to the left with Moonee Valley Racecourse to the very left at the top. Gee we have a lot of 'Royal' things but we have heaps more Victoria things, after Queen Victoria.

The body of water in the centre to the right is Albert Park Lake within its parkland and home to the Australian Grand Prix car race. On the top side of the of Albert Park Lake the high rises of Queens and St Kilda Road lead out from the city and near the top hump of the lake about 300 metres away is our building.