Melbourne

Melbourne is the capital of Victoria

Quite a lot of people from overseas pronounce Melbourne incorrectly. The correct pronunciation is not MelBORN it is MelBEN. Almost rhyming with Seldom.

One of the most noticeable things when touring around Melbourne city, is that Melbourne still uses trams. Trams are the easiest, quickest and cheapest way to manoeuvre throughout the city. They are still one of the most popular forms of transport used today.

Melbourne is the second most popular city in Australia. It a beautiful laid back place and Melbournians are extremely friendly people.

Melbourne is known for it's shopping, as it has some of the best shops, department stores and markets in Australia. People are known to travel from all over just to shop in Melbourne, including many celebrities.

Melbourne's Crown Casino is Australia's most popular casino, with it's many levels offering, restaurants, shops, hotels, gaming facilities and entertainment.

Population: 3.2 million people

Crown Casino

The $1 billion Crown Casino features a 1000-room hotel, massive virtual-reality cinema and entertainment centre, ballroom, 1500 seat dining room, rooftop garden and internal shopping arcade. It is Australia's largest, and most popular casino.

Visit: http://www.crowncasino.com.au

Flinders Street Station

Opened in September 1854, it is still a major city landmark and meeting place in Melbourne. Festooned with fairy lights as it was for the 1954 Royal Visit, its facade is one of the city's most historic.

Melbourne Cricket Ground

Hallowed turf, the home of Australia's own brand of football Australian Rules, and cricket. Built in 1853, it was the main stadium for the 1956 Olympic Games. With a record crowd of 104 000, the MCG regularly fills with 100 000 people for the football finals. Its Gallery of Sport houses an Olympic exhibition and other sporting displays.

Visit: http://www.mcg.org.au

Museum of Victoria

Founded in 1854 it is a world ranked museum of natural history, exhibiting and carrying out research in the fields of zoology, geology and anthropology. Outstanding exhibits include dioramas of Australian fauna, collections of minerals, rock and fossils and anthropography material relating to Australian aborigines and those of the South Pacific. One of the most popular exhibits with the public is the celebrated racehorse "Phar Lap", mounted in McCoy Hall. Over half a million people visit the museum each year.

Visit: http://www.museum.vic.gov.au

Telephone: 131102

National Tennis Centre

A world class sporting and entertainment venue built in 1988 in Flinders Park, it comprises a 15 000 seat main stadium with a retractable roof and other outdoors courts. It is home to the world famous tennis tournament, The Australian Open.

Visit: http://www.melbournepark.com.au

Queen Victoria Market

This century-old market covers 6.5ha with the most vibrant collection of produce, clothing and bric-a-brac stalls in Australia. Melbournians flock in their thousands for the bargains that can be found. Open Tuesday and Thursday 6am-2pm, Friday 6am-6pm, Saturday 6am-1pm and Sunday 9am-4pm. This market is just one example of why Melbourne is so known for it's outstanding shopping.

Visit: http://www.qvm.com.au

Rialto Towers Observation Deck

Set on level 55 of the Rialto building, the Observation Deck compares favourably with its international counterparts. It affords visitors spectacular views of the city and surrounds from the Southern Hemisphere's tallest building. The Observation Deck is the city's first tourist viewing platform and high-powered binoculars ensure visitors are treated to breathtaking views.

Visit: http://www.rialto.com.au

Royal Botanic Gardens

The gardens occupy 36ha on the southern side of Melbourne's Yarra River with 10 000 plant species displayed on landscaped lawns, garden beds and lakes and inhabited by about 50 species of birds. The Gardens were commenced in 1846 and their beauty is the result of the work of curator William Guilfoyle. They are recognised as one of the finest pieces of urban garden landscaping in the world.

Visit: http://www.rbg.vic.gov.au

Royal Melbourne Zoological Gardens

One of the oldest in the world, they were established in 1857 and house over 3 000 animals on 22 ha. These include 336 species of mammals, birds and reptiles. Superbly landscaped and ideal for picnics, the Melbourne Zoo features walk-through aviaries filled with butterflies and birds, koala exhibits and the platypus house.

Visit: http://www.zoo.org.au

Southgate

Southgate is one of the city's most popular dining, entertainment and shopping precincts. Set on the banks of the Yarra River, it is firmly established as one of the city's most successful tourist destinations. Regular activities, such as markets, wine tastings and outdoor theatre, are held at the riverside precinct. Southgate is situated opposite the Crown Casino.

Visit: http://www.southgate-melbourne.com.au/intro.php

State Library of Victoria

The State Library, established in 1853, is the oldest public library in Australia. Its archives contain some 1,000,000 books, 60,000 volumes of newspapers, 10,000 maps, 30,000 pictures and objects of historic interest and thousands of original manuscripts. These include publications from the United kingdom, the united States, New Zealand and Canada as well as United Nation's documents.

Visit: http://www.slv.vic.gov.au

Victorian Arts Centre

Opened 1982, it is internationally acclaimed for its state-of-the-art facilities. it is a major Melbourne landmark on the banks of the Yarra River with a distinctive 115m webbed steel spire. The Victorian Arts centre houses the Melbourne Concert Hall, Performing Arts Museum, three major theatres collectively seating 5 880 people with a revolving stage especially for opera, and several restaurants. Together with the adjacent National Gallery and nearby Australian Ballet Company, it forms a major arts precinct.

Visit: http://www.vicartscentre.com.au

Westgate Bridge

This bridge, one of the longest in Australia, extends 5.63 km, incorporating at each end modern expressways designed to open up the western regions of Melbourne by providing a ten lane roadway and a clear run from Geelong to many of the main arterial roads around Melbourne. The Bridge length comprises 2852 m of concrete and steel and is 37.34 m wide. The two spans of the West Gate Bridge were joined in June 1978 and the bridge was officially opened in November 1978.

Polly Woodside Maritime Museum

Polly Woodside Maritime Museum pays tribute to Melbourne's rich maritime heritage. The restored tall ship 'Polly Woodside' is moored in the historic Duke and Orr's Dock. The ship and wharf offers itself for all types of functions. Overnight education program on board.

Click here to find out more information

Puffing Billy

Australia's century-old steam train is still running on its original mountain track from Belgrave to Gembrook in the scenic Dandenong Ranges, just 40 km east of Melbourne. It is a major tourist attraction for Australian's and overseas visitors alike.

Visit: http://www.puffingbilly.com.au

Dandenong Ranges

The Dandenong Rangers is one of the most beautiful lush places you will ever visit while in Australia. It is a large tourist destination and offers plenty for travellers to do. The Dandenong Ranges is renowned for it's beautiful forests & views, sense of community, local crafts, fine dining and luxury accommodation. Located approximately 50 minutes from Melbourne, this is one place you should really mark on your 'to see' list.

Visit: http://www.dandenong-ranges.net.au

Each Australian state has yearly events that you don't want to miss. Melbourne is no exception. Please visit the below Websites for more information on each event.

Australian Open Tennis