MELBOURNE
Australia's second-largest city, Melbourne, capital of
Victoria, is the most European in style with trams
rattling through streets past Victorian buildings, parks
and outdoor cafes. The city centre is laid out in a
simple grid pattern, the long, wide north-south streets
gently sloping down to the Yarra River, crossed by a mix
of narrow lanes, and the main shopping streets such as
Bourke and Collins Streets. The CBD is easily navigable
by foot, and if a rest is needed after a session of
sightseeing or shopping there are numerous parks nearby,
such as the Royal Botanical Gardens, Fitzroy Gardens and
Carlton Gardens. Alternatively, you can take one of
Melbourne's signature attractions, a tram. The burgundy-coloured
City Circle tram is free, and is a good way to get your
bearings as well as explore the inner city, while for
those wanting to go further afield the tram network
extends about 10 miles (15km) into the Melbourne suburbs.
Melbourne's population of over three million is made up
of a variety of cultures, including Chinese, Italian,
Vietnamese, Lebanese and Greek, who have all added their
touch to this thriving city. A fierce rivalry exists
between the cities of Melbourne and Sydney, but local
residents bask in the satisfying knowledge that
Melbourne beats Sydney hands-down on the cultural front,
noted for its wide variety of high standard performing
arts, as well as its sport. The city plays host to world-renowned
sporting events like the Melbourne Cup, Australian Open
Tennis and Qantas Australia Grand Prix. Around the city,
within an hour's drive, there are numerous places worth
visiting, including the Macedon Ranges, which is
Australia's spa capital with its world-renowned mineral
springs, as well as the spectacular Great Ocean Road
along the coast, which passes stunning rock formations
such as the Twelve Apostles. |