Melbourne
Airport: Melbourne (Tullamarine)[MEL]
Population: 5 Million
Climate: All part of its charm, Melbourne is famous for its often changeable weather and ability to have 'four seasons in a day'. Summer (December to February) is Australia's wet season, with June, July and August bringing the cold weather. While it doesn't snow in Melbourne itself, you don't have to travel far to experience some of Australia's most beautiful snowfall with Mt Donna Buang is just two short hours away.
Best time of year to travel: All Year Round.
Undeniably Australia's most urban, trendy and artistic city, Melbourne is shaped by a dynamic population, ever-ravenous for a bite of global culture. Whether you're getting lost in the labyrinthine laneways with its hidden cafes and street jazz bands, or spending your days shopping in the ornate Victorian-era suburb of St Kilda, Melbourne will amaze you with its enigmatic contemporary style. Keeping to their artistic nature, Melburnians still keep their urban frenzy to a deliciously sedate pace, making it the perfect place for you to roam the streets, block out the noise and make heart-to-heart contact with this charming city.
Attractions: Melbourne Cricket Ground is one of the World's greatest sporting venues. In 1877, it was the venue for the first Test Match between Australia and England, in 1956 it was the central stadium for the Melbourne Olympics, and in 2006 was the main stadium for the Commonwealth Games.
Flinders Street, Melbourne's first railway station, opened in 1854, and the building with the green copper dome that you see today was completed in 1910. On any weekday, over 110,000 people weave through this famous landmark, which in its day hosted an array of fabulous facilities including a concert hall, library and ballroom. Stand under the clocks and experience its wonder for yourself.
With over 600 small business traders, the Queen Victoria Market is the largest open air market in the southern hemisphere, attracting thousands of shoppers weekly. The site has a rich and unusual history; it has been a burial ground, a livestock market and a wholesale fruit and vegetable market. Now, it is home to the city's freshest produce including organic and Asian specialties, delis, meat and fish halls, as well as offering clothing and souvenirs. Enjoy breakfast to the sounds of buskers on a Saturday morning, or shop for clothes and knick-knacks on a Sunday.
Transport around City: Free City Circle Tram. Public Transport Victoria (PTV): Trams, Trains, Buses.
Recommended Restaurants: Punch Lane (Melbourne CBD), Stokehouse (St Kilda), Tutto Bene (Southbank), Public Wine Shop (Fitzroy North), Maha (Melbourne CBD).
Recommended Bars: Prince Public Bar (St Kilda), Bar Lourinha (Melbourne CBD), Charlie's Bar (Melbourne CBD), HER (Melbourne CBD), Johnny's Green Room (Carlton).
Recommended Hotels: Crown Towers (Southbank), Grand Hyatt (Melbourne CBD), Park Hyatt Melbourne (Melbourne CBD), The Langham (Southbank), Paramount Apartments (Melbourne CBD), Novotel on Collins (Melbourne CBD).
Cultures: Melbourne draws on Australia and world culture, but is particularly famous for its emphasis on the performing, culinary and visual arts. As the fashion capital of Australia, Melbourne plays host to the L'Oreal Melbourne Fashion Festival, bringing international fashion trends and putting Australia on the map. Melbourne is home to the famous Melbourne Cup Spring Racing Carnival as well as devout sports fans who are fanatic about local AFL teams.