With its distinctly European feel, you'll quickly feel at home in Melbourne. Australia's second largest city and the capital of the state of Victoria, the extent of Melbourne, its sights, its shops and its restaurants never fails to impress. It has one of the most efficient public transport systems in Australia and its tram service is an attraction in its own right, and the city is the clear leader for cultural attractions in the whole of Australia. Melbourne is also the host of some of the world's leading sporting events including the Australian Open, the Australian Grand Prix and the Melbourne Cup. Temperatures in Melbourne peak during the Australian summer time (December-February) at around 25°C and tend to average approximately 10°C in the winter (June-August). Flight duration from the UK to Melbourne is approximately 22hrs with at least one stop.
| Melbourne is a shopper's paradise with everything from huge department stores to small side-shop boutiques... |
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A shopper's paradise with cultural delights and coastal views, Melbourne keeps all visitors entertained...
As with any Australian location you'll have to deal with a lengthy flight, but as long as that isn't a problem then Melbourne will give you plenty to enjoy. With its cultural delights, coastal views and the sense of 'real Australia' within close proximity, Melbourne has a little something for everyone, with plenty of activities to keep families happy and a surprisingly strong nightlife scene with more than 1,000 pubs, clubs and bars in the area to keep partygoers busy.
What to do...
Most visitors come to Melbourne for its combination of sporting events, restaurants, nightlife and shopping. Indeed Melbourne is a shopper's paradise with everything from huge department stores to small side-shop boutiques. The main shopping centre can be found on Bourke Street though there are bargains to be found in the Victoria Square Market and on Peel Street with its diverse range of stores. It's worth sampling the chocolate from Haigh's in the city centre and Le Louvre offers expensive clothing for the society's elite.
The extent of the nightlife and restaurants in Melbourne might surprise some and there is a real culinary mix in the city's restaurants with Asian, European and Mediterranean cuisine on offer. Mo Mo's has an excellent reputation, but if you are dining on a budget you won't be disappointed either with the likes of Abla's (Arabian food), soulmama (vegetarians) and Glick's Bagels for a taste of America. There are numerous nightlife locations to enjoy and virtually every taste is catered for. If you're a fan of jazz you should go to Bennetts Lane Jazz Club in the city centre, Honkytonks is a popular bar and the Esplande Hotel regularly hosts live music. The young and arty tend to head towards Revolver, which has a club/disco, a Thai restaurant a large lounge area.
Melbourne is the leader for culture in Australia. Whether it's the museums and galleries or the sights, you'll have plenty of choices including the National Gallery of Victoria, home to some of the most important collections in Australia and some dazzling period gems such as Picasso's Weeping Woman. The Chinese Museum is also worth visiting with artefacts and photographs from the history of the Chinese in Australia.
In terms of sights Cooks' Cottage offers a glimpse of 18th Century England and tours are also available of Government House, the official residence of the Governor of Victoria and home to some of the finest architecture in Australia. The Old Melbourne Gaol gives you a fascinating insight into a 19th Century Victorian prison, the Royal Botanic Gardens offer extensive landscaped gardens, and Melbourne Zoo certainly makes a fun day out with the children. Meanwhile, the Neighbours Experience is one of the biggest attractions for British tourists, as you tour the set of the famous soap opera and even have a chance to meet some of its stars.
For those seeking adventure, driving down Great Ocean Road has breathtaking scenery and is a must for nearly every visitor. It has winding roads and spectacular views and is just one of the many ways that you can discover the 'real' Australia. Professional drivers are available if you prefer to enjoy a passenger's view, and the really adventurous can even take a hot air balloon ride across the area. And if you really want to travel into the hidden depths, take a Savanna Walkabout to find the koalas, kangaroos and other native species in their natural habitat.
