Melbourne

Melbourne is a place of charm, civilisation and Aussie Rules Football. Based around Port Phillip Bay at the head of the Yarra River Melbourne is the most Southerly of Australia's cities (with the exception of Hobart). Traditionally Melbourne has been an Anglo enclave with its English style Parks and Gardens and a reputation for being somewhat stuffy.

Since the 1960's, Melbourne has been transformed partly by redevelopment of its more rundown areas but also because of mass immigration. The migrants have come from all over but especially from Southern Europe. All this has caused Melbourne to be re invigorated as a more lively, modern and cosmopolitan place. However the drive towards the modern has not totally displaced the old and much of the grace of the 19th century architecture is still in evidence.

Whilst lacking the obvious allure of, say, a Sydney Opera House there are many sites of value to be discovered here.

For Instance..?

Royal Botanic Gardens

Under the comparatively benevolent Melbourne climate most anything can and will grow. Here, English Oaks stand alongside native Eucalyptus. The Gardens have been in existence since 1845 and today house one of the world's great collections.

Old Melbourne Gaol

Exhibits include Ned Kelly's death mask and suit of 'armour'. This is a telling monument to much wilder times.

Melbourne Cricket Ground

A huge arena with a 100,000 plus capacity it was the central venue for the 1956 Olympics. This is used almost as famously for Rules 'Footie' as it is for Test Cricket. Within the grounds there is a cricket museum an Olympic Museum and an Australian Gallery of Sport.

And on the Subject of Sport...

The Melbourne Cup is a horse race that is celebrated by a public holiday every November. The race itself is a Group 1 Handicap run over two miles and is the one event that truly brings the nation to a standstill.

Queen Victoria Market

Trading has gone on here since the mid 19th century and the market now has over a thousand stalls selling everything under the sun. A great place to either bargain hunt or just to walk.

National Gallery of Victoria

Containing a comprehensive collection of Australian art, this museum also has impressive selections of Old Masters, Aboriginal, Pre Columbian and American Art.

Culture?

If the people of Sydney view those of Melbourne as a little staid and stuffy then conversely the native of Melbourne views himself as culturally superior. Such claims are supported by the wealth of cultural events that take place in Melbourne.

The Melbourne International Festival takes place in October. This high brow event is balanced by The Fringe Festival, which runs at the same time.

There is also an international Comedy festival and a huge International Writers Festival. All this adds to the impression of Melbourne being a bit arty and derived from this is a slightly offbeat 'alternative culture' atmosphere about the place as well.

Hotels, Restaurants..?

Melbourne has a reputation for its cuisine and the breadth of choice is considerable. There have been a few places that have opened up in recent years that are of the nouveau cuisine sort, these are clearly not for the poor or the ravenous so beware shiney chrome eateries if this is not your idea of a good meal. For Hotels the same holds true as for Sydney, take your pick from internationally renowned hotel chains down to hostels.