Paynes Place is a nondescript, bin strewn laneway in Melbourne’s China-Town off Little Bourke St. There is however a large mural at the end of the lane. Turning the corner, a small walkway called Croft Alley leads you down past restaurant back doors and overflowing, smelly rubbish bins to wonderful walls of ever-changing street art with amazing colours. Turning another corner, and walking to the very end, you find the entrance to strange bar with a science lab theme called the Croft Institute. There is quite a bit of intact art in Croft Alley without the crowds that often fill up the more famous Hosiers Lane. ( I still haven’t had a good look at Hosiers due to a fashion shoot, a TV presenter filming, tour groups and an impromptu macarena dance outbreak with about 50 people.)
Paynes Place, Chinatown, Melbourne CBD
Croft Alley Chinatown
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The Gap Year and Beyond 