When in Melbourne
Set on the banks of Port Phillip Bay, Melbourne contains everything you might expect when first thinking of Australia: sun, sea and sand all in great supply.
But this city is much more than just the typical Aussie city and its cosmopolitan atmosphere ensures that visitors will feel welcome whatever their tastes. Melbourne is a planned city with a distinct structure, crammed around the port and the winding Yarra River. But despite the city's mechanical structure, it has developed a unique community atmosphere different to anywhere else in Australia. While the layout was manufactured rather than allowed to grow organically, the residents have arrived over the years from around the globe and Melbourne has developed a reputation as Australia's bohemian capital.
While Melbourne has its own character, so do the various precincts which make up the city. They create fairly obvious enclaves which have developed their own personality and , as such , travellers will enjoy exploring the different regions of the city, because there always seems to be something different to discover.
One of the biggest attractions in Melbourne is its shopping facilities. The city has lots of top shops and some of the biggest names in fashion are here. Indeed, some even visit the place for inspiration! It may not be Paris or Milan, but Melbourne is fast becoming a bastion for style and chic.
With such a reputation, however, often comes a high price tag. But the city also has enough cheap outlets to make it a favourite not only with those looking to splash the cash but also people working to a budget.
Melbourne also has a surprising history to it. Once home to the Aboriginals, there are a number of museums which are dedicated to keeping their memory alive. When the Europeans first arrived in the country, no less than five aboriginal language groups lived in what is now the Port Philip region but then formed part of the Kulin Nation. To discover more about the Aboriginals, travellers can visit one of the many museums displaying relics or go to art galleries such as the Ian Potter Centre of Australian Art, which hosts a wide collection of Australian and Aboriginal art.
The city also has numerous beautiful buildings which were established during the country's colonial period. One of these includes the Old Melbourne Gaol, whose beauty belies its gruesome past. Notorious bushranger Ned Kelly was hanged here in the 1800s and the tour of the gaol includes a range of death masks from throughout its history. At the other end of the scale is the Cooks' Cottage, which was the house of Captain Cook's parents. Originally their home in England, it was dismantled brick-by-brick and brought to the other side of the world to be erected in Melbourne in 1933.
Sports fans will love Melbourne, as there almost always seems to be some major sporting event taking place in the city. Australians love their sport and Melbourners are certainly no exception. Earlier this year the city hosted the Commonwealth Games and has a wide range of sporting venues. From the Rod Laver Arena in Melbourne Park, which holds the Australian Open Tennis Championships, to the massive Telstra Stadium, scene of a number of the Rugby World Cup 2003 matches. Completed in 2000, the stadium is one of the most modern in the world and includes a retractable roof – not that this city has to worry about bad weather very often
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Introduction
