About Melbourne |
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Melbourne has always been characterised by innovation and enterprise. The fusion of past tradition and diverse cultural influences has created an invigorated and forward thinking city and a dynamic centre for culture, communities and commerce.As the gateway to regional Victoria, City of Melbourne takes on the added role of helping promote all points of metropolitan Melbourne and regional Victoria.
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| Favourite spots: |
The bustling Flagstaff Gardens in the heart of the city are the most highly used gardens in Melbourne, per square metre. The location makes the Gardens a favourite spot for local city workers, who can take time out of their day to relax or have lunch, while the historic monuments and art installations mean the gardens are a popular point on the tourist trail.Attract many joggers and walkers around the 1.2km perimeter of La Trobe, William, King and Dudley streets.
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| What's really great: |
::Federation Square:: captures the heart of a city. it's still not finished at the time visited. is a central and unifying public space, a landmark and a cultural magnet bringing together open spaces and innovative architecture and engineering. Filling an entire city block, Federation Square's creative mix of attractions embody all that's great about Victoria: fine art, fine hospitality, bold design and vibrant events.
::Brunswick Street:: is art with a capital A; the people who live here ooze art. It's the best selection of small, unpretentious cafes serving tasty food of any food precinct in Melbourne. It's organic vegetable shops and flowers on the footpath, alternative bookshops and Nepalese wares. Above all, it's the people walking past on the footpaths - rich, colourful and interesting. You could spend a lifetime in Brunswick Street and not once be bored!
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| Sights: |
::The Great Ocean Rd::Recognised as one of the world’s most scenic drives, it follows the stunning coastline of Victoria’s south-west. Stretching 300 kilometres from Torquay, just south of Geelong, to Peterborough, just east of Warrnambool, the road winds along cliff tops, up to breathtaking headlands, down onto the edge of beaches, across river estuaries and through lush rainforests offering panoramic views at every turn.
::Gum San Chinese Heritage Center::
Gum San meaning ‘hill of gold’, is built on the site of their discovery, and brings to life the story of the Chinese miners. Also explores the influence of Chinese culture on the economic, cultural and social development of Australia.
::Melbourne Museum:: This modernist museum is the largest museum complex in the southern hemisphere. Spread over 6 huge levels, half of which are below ground level, the museum draws on the latest technology to give an insight into Australia’s flora, fauna and culture.
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| Hangouts: |
Melbourne is the coffee capital of Australia. In the CBD, the cobblestoned laneways are filled with the aroma of espresso coming from a myriad of cafes. Café and coffee hot spots include Degraves Street where cafes are secreted away under a canopy of market umbrellas. Nearby funky Block Place is an intimate niche so narrow that the awnings from opposing businesses touch overhead.
The Causeway, just across Little Collins Street, is another cluster of outdoor tables, and in nearby Centre Place hole-in-the-wall cafes buzz with diners.
Melbourne is also a gay-tolerant and gay-friendly city with bars, clubs and accommodation places in the older inner-suburban areas. Some of the most popular locations :St Kilda/Acland Street, Chapel Street in Prahran also offer great café /bars strips, with a more laid-back feel.
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| Restaurants: |
Melbourne is a melting pot of cultures, a fact reflected in its microcosmos of restaurants, cafes, bistros and bars. Fashionable, eclectic and eccentric – Melbourne’s dining spots offer a dizzying spread of the world’s great cuisines, serving meals from the substantial and classic to the truly exotic. Loads of fusion cooking! From the simple presentation of a sushi bar to the fine dining finesse of an award-winning restaurant, Melbourne’s eateries are renowned for their superb food, atmosphere and service.
::Chapel Street:: Perhaps Melbourne's most vibrant fashion and food strip. It has always been upmarket but today it is especially appealing to upwardly mobile young folk with money to burn. Here, designer labels go hand in hand with fancy bistros. The street gets crowed on weekends as cafes compete with boutiques for passing trade.
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| Other recommendations: |
::St Kilda:: Is a remarkable place. It is situated on one of the most picturesque points of the Bay a short distance from the city, has safe sandy beaches.
::Acland Street::One of the main destinations for visitors to Melbourne attracts people from all walks of life because of its richness of life and among the world's top backpacker destinations. It is not one of the new cafe-culture locations that have sprung up across Melbourne.
::Phillip Island Day Tour:: This popular tour is a must for every visitor . See some Melbourne's most attractive suburbs.Encounter koalas up close in their natural environment at the Koala Conservation Centre
See the penguins up close as they return to their nests to greet their young families with their day's catch.
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Published on Saturday March 13th, 2004 by nashie
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