Melbourne

Melbourne is set around the shores of Port Phillip Bay. The city itself, laid out in a large rectangle and boasting a lively and cosmopolitan pulse, sits on the northern banks of the Yarra River, about five kilometres from the bay. Extending around the bay are a number of inner suburbs, each with its own distinct character and personality. A short tram ride from the city center, Melbourne’s suburban neighborhoods are a must see for any holiday maker wanting to experience what life here is really all about.

Melbourne, the capital of Victoria and a cultural hub, is known for the good things in life – fashion, food, entertainment and sport. Melbourne is a city of style, architecture, trams, theaters and art – rattling trams, park lands singing with blackbirds, stately architecture and palm trees.

Decades of immigration from all over the world have influenced Melbourne's food and wine scene. Whole streets are dedicated to food, whether it be Indian, Spanish, Italian, Japanese, Chinese, Greek, or a host of other styles. Melbourne is home to world-famous sporting events such as the Melbourne Cup, the Australian Open Tennis and the Qantas Australia Grand Prix. Melbournians also take fashion and art seriously; funky and traditional fashion shops as well as premier performing-arts establishments and art galleries are well represented in the city.