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DestinationsDestinationsOther |
Melbourne AustraliaINTRODUCTION Melbourne, a melting pot of culture and diversity, is the state capital and largest city in the Australian state of Victoria and the second largest city in Australia. Tasmania is the only island state smaller than Victoria and all of England?, Scotland, and Wales fits easily into it. It is easy to drive to Victoria's many attractions, such as: the Yarra Valley, the atmospheric gold-mining area around Castlemaine, and the iconic towns of Ballarat and Bendigo. Melbourne has twice, in 2002 and 2004, held the top position in a survey by The Economist on the world's most liveable cities, based on its cultural attributes, climate, cost of living, and social conditions, like crime rates, and health care. The U.S.'s Utne Reader says: "Add a long tradition of civic pride, communities of new immigrants from around the world, and the best food in Australia, and you have a recipe for what many claim is the hippest city in the Southern Hemisphere". (Nov/Dec 2001). ATTRACTIONS Getting around Melbourne is a breeze and a stark contrast to the crowded streets of Sydney. Melbourne's trams are a public transportation institution and lines reach as far as outer suburbs like Bundoora, in the north. There are also buses and an excellent train service. If you are driving, the freeway system enables you to get across the city quickly, without being held up by sets of traffic lights. Cycling is popular and a genuine provisions are made for cyclists. Melbourne is often referred to as Australia's "garden city" and the state of Victoria is officially known as Australia's "garden state." There are an abundance of parks and gardens close to the CBD, with a variety of common and rare plant species amid landscaped vistas, pedestrian pathways, and tree-lined avenues. It is also often called the "sporting capital" of Australia and hosts many major Australian sporting events, including: the Melbourne Spring Racing Carnival (which includes the "race that stops the nation"--the Melbourne Cup), the Australian Formula One Grand Prix, the Australian Tennis Open, and the AFL Grand Final. Melbourne hosted the first Olympic Games in the Southern Hemisphere in 1956, as well as the 2006 Commonwealth Games. Victoria, and Melbourne especially, is the home of Australian Football (AFL). If visiting during the football season, or any sporting season, be sure to attend a sporting event. Whether you are a sports fan or not, the people of Melbourne are sure to suck you into the sporting fun with their passion for the game and enthusiasm. Besides, what is a visit to Australia without a sports outing with the Aussies? A trip to Melbourne is not complete without taking the drive, or a bus tour of the Great Ocean Road. One of the most famous and spectacular icons of Victoria, the Great Ocean Road will take you on an beautiful 151 mile journey to see the 12 Apostles, the Shipwreck Coast, Appolo Bay, the Grotto, Thunder Cave, the Blowhole and more. This is a great day trip, and if you have a little more time to spare could easily be spread out into a multiple day adventure. RESTARAUNTS Because of its huge cultural diversity, there are several great places to go out and eat in Melbourne. For example, Melbourne's Greek community is reputed to be larger than that in Athens. A walk along Ligon Street reveals how the range of this city's ethnic diversity is represented in the amazing cuisine of this street's restaurants. PERSONAL STORIES Come and visit and experience the culture! 
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