| G'day. When you think of a city in Australia, it's a sure | | | | Melbourne's own Little Italy and cool off with a |
| bet that Sydney is the first one on your lips. But these | | | | refreshing homemade gelato. |
| days, Melbourne, the second biggest city and State | | | | Are you sports mad? |
| Capital of Victoria, is the place to be in the southern | | | | On the international arena, Melbourne is home to some |
| hemisphere. | | | | of the biggest events on the sporting calendar, such as |
| It's not as pushy or brash as that colorful harbour city | | | | the Formula One Australian Grand Prix, The Australian |
| a few hundred miles north - far from it. It's more | | | | Open Tennis and The Melbourne Cup Horse Racing |
| European in character than glitzy Sydney. Melbourne | | | | Carnival. If you're coming to Melbourne during the fall |
| oozes style and sophistication, a place filled with | | | | and winter months (March to September - remember |
| elegant grace and gourmet tastes. Fashionable and | | | | seasons are reversed) catch a games of Aussie |
| fabulous. Cosmopolitan and cultured. Of course, friendly | | | | Rules Football. It's earthy, macho and gutsy. Down |
| rivalry still exists between the cities, but Melbourne is in | | | | here, footy isn't a passion, it's a religion. |
| a class of its own. | | | | Time for culture |
| Considered to be Australia's most liveable city, | | | | You'll find plenty to keep you busy. Start at the |
| Melbourne has also scored another notable travel | | | | Australian Centre for the Moving Image in Federation |
| accolade and was named the world's most liveable | | | | Square. Here you can explore the moving image in all |
| city - not once, but twice. | | | | its forms….from the birth of TV in Australia to |
| Size is everything | | | | interactive exhibits, videos and computer games. Walk |
| Victoria's landmass is little smaller than the State of | | | | a block and you'll come to The National Gallery of |
| California and about the size of the UK. Australia is a | | | | Victoria, located on the lush, tree lined boulevard of St. |
| big, big country, roughly equal to mainland USA. The | | | | Kilda Road. Take time to discover the heritage and |
| distances and travel time between places of interest | | | | history of Australia's past and present, captured on |
| can be further than you imagine. When you are | | | | canvas. In the International Collection you can see |
| making plans, allow enough time to take in everything | | | | works by Rembrandt, Rubens, Tintoretto and Picasso. |
| down under can offer - think days not hours. | | | | Continue your cultural experience with a visit next door |
| If you're organizing accommodation, Melbourne can | | | | to the Victorian Arts Centre, where ballet, opera, music |
| offer you every type under the sun, from lavish 5 star | | | | concerts are regularly performed by top local names |
| names to smaller boutique hotels, with plenty in the | | | | and overseas stars. |
| mid-price range. Check out sites such as for ideas and | | | | Retail therapy |
| value. | | | | Melbourne is a mecca for shoppers. Even |
| What's in a name? | | | | Sydneysiders concede that Melbourne does it better! |
| Melbourne is a comparatively young city by world | | | | Naturally, the city center has leading retail stores and all |
| standards. After settlement on the banks of the Yarra | | | | the designer boutiques you can dream of. Tip: visit Little |
| River in the 1830's, it was formally named after the | | | | Collins Street. A quaint street where many trendy |
| British Prime Minister of that time, William Lamb, Lord | | | | Melbourne designers have set up shop, or Flinders |
| Melbourne. It rose from a small settlement harbouring a | | | | Lane, with style for the cutting edge crowd. If you're |
| few settlers to become a bustling city after the | | | | bargain hunting or looking for souvenirs, head for The |
| discovery of gold in nearby Ballarat. During the late | | | | Queen Victoria Market. Stall after stall of trendy |
| Victorian era, Melbourne was the second largest city | | | | fashion, novel crafts, sports gear and delicious fresh |
| of the Empire after London, and the national capital for | | | | food. |
| the first quarter of the 20th century. | | | | More sights and shops |
| Melbourne was planned with a vision. | | | | Take the Number Eight tram down to South Yarra |
| A city created with a grid-like pattern of smart streets | | | | and you'll come to Chapel Street. With hundreds of |
| and laneways, designed for simple navigation. It's very | | | | shops and stores, it has a well-established reputation |
| much in evidence today. A model city framework that | | | | as Melbourne's premier fashion district. Think of it as |
| makes discovering the architectural delights of | | | | one huge runway of labels and funky looks. Check out |
| Melbourne on foot a pleasure. Boutiques and bars | | | | the boutiques in Greville Street in Prahran where |
| thrive alongside big retail stores and fun street | | | | hipsters reign. Richmond is popular for discount bargain |
| markets. Grand 19th century buildings mingled with | | | | hunters with the added bonus of wonderful cafes and |
| soaring glass towers across skyline. This is one | | | | bars to pep up your energy. If you're looking for |
| photogenic city. | | | | something individual and quirky, Fitzroy will give you a |
| A streetcar still desired | | | | feel for the funkier part of town. |
| Melbourne's public transport is a reliable and | | | | Hip St Kilda |
| inexpensive way to get around. One of the biggest | | | | You can't visit Melbourne and not go to St Kilda, |
| attractions is the tram network, the third biggest in the | | | | located on one of the most picturesque points of Port |
| world. In fact, tram enthusiasts from everywhere | | | | Phillip Bay, just a short ride from the city. For decades |
| come to ride the rails of this huge network, 240 kms | | | | it had a dubious reputation, now it's fun and ultra |
| (almost 150 miles) in size, covering the CBD to the | | | | fashionable beach suburb with cool bars and cafes. If |
| outer suburban areas. Don't miss the free City Circle | | | | you love cakes, stroll down to famous Acland Street |
| tram for visitors. It loops around the city, passing major | | | | and try and resist the mountains of calories and cream |
| attractions and retail precincts. It gives you a good | | | | staring at you through the shop windows. |
| sense of perspective. | | | | If you're planning your next big adventure, a trip Down |
| Food for thought | | | | Under, put Melbourne at the top of your list. Every part |
| Melbourne's diversity is definitely reflected in its food. | | | | of it gives you the chance to experience something |
| Flamboyant London celebrity chef Gordon Ramsay | | | | new and different, with plenty of friendly Aussies to |
| described Melbourne's restaurants as Australia's | | | | make you feel welcome. A dazzling and diverse city |
| "culinary engine room". How true. With over 3,000 | | | | that reflects the best of modern Australia. |
| international restaurants you'll never be hungry for | | | | (Hey…Sydney's well worth a look too!) |
| choice. Yum cha (dim sum) in Melbourne's | | | | Matthew Lawson heads up and is an avid traveler. |
| Chinatown…spicy Vietnamese noodles in | | | | Check out the low hotel room rates for Australia and |
| Victoria Street….Greek baklava in Lonsdale | | | | around the world. |
| Street. Take an afternoon stroll down Lygon Street, | | | | |