Melbourne Tourism & Travel
Melbourne Australia
Melbourne, Victorias capital city is located on the banks of the Yarra River where it meets Port Philip Bay and is a friendly, multicultural city, home to people from over 140 nations. Melbourne is all about a social lifestyle - eating out, superb shopping and a plethora of entertainment from sports to concerts to plays and exhibitions. When night falls, live music, live comedy, concerts, theatre and films are all close by. Secret gardens can be discovered throughout Melbourne because more than a quarter of the city is green.
Melbourne History
Melbournes site was chosen by John Batman, son of a Sydney convict, around 1835. From its beginnings as a tent encampment, Melbourne grew rapidly, mainly because of the sudden influx of immigrants who came to search their fortunes in gold.
In 1851 gold had been discovered at Clunes, Anderson's Creek, Buninyong, Ballarat, Mount Alexander and Bendigo.
By 1854 the colony's population had grown from 80 000 to 300 000 and a total of more than 100 million worth of gold was won from the earth.
Although Melbourne was to experience depressions in both the 1890s and 1930s it was basically a prosperous and successful city.
Little Bourke Street
Little Bourke Street in the heart of the city is considered the best Chinatown in Australia, with a narrow street as attractive as the many and varied specialty shops and hundreds of designer fashion boutiques.
Old Melbourne Gaol
Take a spooky night tour of the gaol and see the famous bushranger, Ned Kellys armour and the frame he was hung from.
Yarra River Walks
Scenic walks flow along the meandering Yarra River. They take you past the Polly Woodside Melbourne Maritime Museum, Southgate Arts & Leisure Precinct, Royal Botanic Gardens and Melbourne Cricket Ground, where Australian Rules Football matches are played in front of up to 100 000 people.
Rialto Towers
Melbournes tallest structure, Rialto Towers, has an observation deck on the 55th floor and on a clear day the views are spectacular. A short film tells visitors about some of Melbourne and Victorias highlights.
Melbourne Trams
Melbournes efficient tram system adds greatly to the appeal of the city. In shopping terms, it has maintained a love affair with arcades and narrow streets which means that it is quite different from other modern cities where huge malls and skyscrapers are the norm.
Melbourne Dining
Melbourne has turned eating out into an art form. Over 3000 restaurants present fine cuisine accompanied by superb local wines.
Find countless rows of cafes along the riverside at Southgate, in the lanes and streets of the city centre and adjoining bohemian neighbourhoods like Fitzroy, groovy St Kilda and stylish South Yarra.
Multicultural feasts of the worlds great cuisines Chinese, Greek, Italian, French, South East Asian, Vietnamese, Middle Eastern and more can be found.
Melbourne Events
Melbourne Festival, Melbourne International Flower and Garden Show, Qantas Australian Grand Prix, Australian Football League AFL finals series, Spring Racing Carnival & Melbourne Cup, Australian Open Tennis, Melbourne Comedy Festival and Melbourne Food and Wine Festival are just a few key events held in Melbourne that combine with the arts in Melbournes many theatres and galleries.