Melbourne's old advertising

Victoria Bitter

An icon of the Elsternwick area, this is one of Melbourne’s oldest remaining neon signs, erected atop the Elsternwick Hotel in 1951 and a beacon to Brighton Rd motorists ever since. Originally animated, it was changed to a non-animated form after concerns were raised that the animation was a distraction to drivers. 259 Brighton Rd (cnr. Glenhuntly Rd) Elsternwick.

Next: Take the 67 tram to Collins St, walk to number 282.

The Little Man

This fella was once the city’s most popular inhabitant – for over 40 years, children would gather outside LP Alexander’s tailor shop in Swanston St to watch the Little Man tap his cane on the window. He disappeared in the 1970s, was saved by a removalist when the store was being emptied, and then purchased in 1983 by a Melbourne businessman – and restored. He now resides in Haigh’s Chocolates, still tapping away. Shop 7-8, Block Arcade, 282 Collins St, Melbourne.

Next: Take the 48 or 76 tram to Lennox St in Richmond and walk down to Goodwood St.

The Pelaco

A local landmark since 1939, this ranks with the Skipping Girl and Nylex signs as one of Melbourne’s most cherished. Listed on the Victorian Heritage Register, and classified by the National Trust, the Richmond treasure was for decades one of the most visible signs in Melbourne at night. Sadly, it hasn’t been lit for many years, but we hope that eventually the animated sequence will again spell out “P – E – L – A – C – O” to Melbourne’s night-owls. 31 Goodwood St, Richmond.

Next: Return to Lennox St and turn right into Swan St, left into Cremorne under the bridge, left into Kelso, right into Dover.

Slade Knitwear

A pretty sign, especially when lit at night. However, reportedly due to persistent complaints from a local resident claiming it kept her awake at night, the sign hasn’t been illuminated for over ten years. A comparative newcomer in the area (dating from 1970), it was the subject of a pitched battle between fans, the owner, and local residents in 2001, later being placed on the Victorian Heritage Register. 105-115 Dover St, Cremorne.

Next: Back up Dover, left into Kelso, right into Cremorne and on to Richmond Station. City-bound train to Southern Cross Station, then the Craigieburn line to Newmarket Station, on foot along Racecourse Rd, right into Epsom Rd. Easy!

The Pie in the Sky

Long familiar to visitors to Melbourne’s Royal Show, the “Big Pie” has stood sentinel over the Showgrounds for decades. Commemorating the metropolitan beginnings of the Four'N Twenty pie (born in Bendigo in 1947, but manufactured in a Showgrounds pavillion for a time), it hopefully stands eternal to fascinate younger Show-goers for many years to come. Flemington Showgrounds, Epsom Rd.