Moomba moves our way

Moomba fever is set to hit the streets of Southbank, with the traditional parade moved from its Swanston St route to St Kilda Rd.

St Kilda Rd has been busy in recent times. It has hosted the Cadel Evans’ homecoming ride, the royal tram carrying the Queen and Prince Philip and a huge crowd during new years eve celebrations.

Moomba is set to further enhance the thoroughfare’s reputation as a fantastic strip to host events and large crowds.

Unfortunately the move is a one-off and has been forced by the Swanston St redevelopment. The parade will return to the original route after this year.

The new site was picked because of its proximity to the main festival site – Alexandra Gardens.

The Melbourne institution will have more than 100 musical acts, the largest musical line-up ever.

Acts include Josh Pyke, The Panics, Tex Perkins, Darryl Braithwaite and Owl Eyes.

For the Moomba lovers, the Birdman Rally will return to the Yarra, sure to provide entertainment for all.

Lord Mayor Robert Doyle was thrilled with the temporary parade route, saying: “What could be more Melbourne than watching the Moomba parade from one of our beautiful parks, Kings Domain, and using one of Melbourne’s grandest boulevards, St Kilda Road?”

“At the conclusion of the parade families can get up close to the floats before going down to the adjacent Alexandra Gardens for all the fun of Moomba,” Cr Doyle added.

The Moomba festival starts on Friday, March 9 and runs until Monday, March 12.