Things to do in Melbourne
An afternoon stroll around the city provides the visitor with a feel for the fascinating combination of old and new that is Melbourne.
Victorian-age buildings and reminders of the city's colonial days are interspersed with grand modern developments, providing the ambling explorer with a sense of a bygone era while still aware that Melbourne is one of the world's most forward thinking cities.
As befits a city that hosted the Commonwealth Games earlier this year, Melbourne is a sport lover's paradise, with a huge number of activities to both watch and take part in.
The Melbourne Cricket Ground is a must for any sports fan. The MCG's vast stands lend the ground a capacity of almost 100,000 and the place will be feverish by the time England arrive to play the Ashes this winter.
The city is also home to the Australian Open tennis tournament early every year and the Australian Grand Prix also calls Melbourne home.
However, if you're after some real Antipodean sport, try an Aussie Rules Football game at the Telstra Dome, you're sure to be converted.
For the active holidaymaker, the city has many miles of coastline nearby, with St Kilda Beach, which has been likened to Sydney's Bondi, just a short drive from the centre of town. The area has recently undergone a significant overhaul and attracts many famous names as much for its trendy shops and cafes as for its golden sands and surf. The children will also enjoy the nearby Luna Park amusement park, which dates back to 1912.
A surprise to many is the proximity of a number of good ski resorts to the city. The High Country, a popular alpine resort in north-eastern Victoria, is around four hours drive from Melbourne and provides some of the best skiing in the country, while Mount Buller, at just three hours from the city centre, is where the locals go.
For those who like to take things at a slower pace, there are a number of 'must see' features in the city. The Melbourne Museum, in the middle of Carlton Gardens, is a fantastic celebration of Australia's history with the Aboriginal Centre and a living forest gallery among the highlights.
Contemporary art fans can wonder at the many pieces awaiting them at the Australian Centre for Contemporary Art. The ACCA has a constantly changing line up, with a number of special exhibitions throughout the year keeping the centre's knowledgeable staff on their toes.
A special treat is a visit to Rialto Towers. This building in the city centre was once the southern hemisphere's tallest structure. This accolade has now gone but the spectacular views across the city and its surrounds remain, with the added bonus of free binoculars.
As a final treat, why not take a boat ride along the Yarra River as the sun goes down on what will surely have been a memorable stay.
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Things to do
