Known as the Arts and Culture centre of Australia, a visit to Melbourne is not complete without experiencing a show at one of the many live theatres as well as live music and comedy clubs. Great dining locations include Lygon Street, St Kilda, Brunswick Street, Southgate and Chinatown.

Melbourne is home to world-famous sporting events such as the Melbourne Cup, the Australian Tennis Open and the Bells Beach Surf Classic.

Melbourne reaches around the head of Port Phillip Bay at the outlet of the Yarra River in the south of Victoria. The Yarra River forms a southern boundary to the city area.

Melbourne's main streets are Collins and Bourke streets crossed by Swanston and Elizabeth Streets. This area is Melbourne's main shopping centre, with the Bourke Street block becoming a pedestrian and tram mall.

Melbourne is full of parks and trees and is well known for its 19th-century architecture. One of the best known emblems of the city is the network of green and yellow trams which takes passengers across the whole metropolitan area.

Just north of the city centre is Carlton with its characteristic terrace houses of the late 19th-century. Carlton is also famous for Lygon Street, a street full of Italian restaurants and pavement cafes.

Fitzroy, another inner city suburb, has a fascinating mixture of cheap restaurants and alternative bookshops and clothing stores along Brunswick Street.

Fact Summary

Melbourne Airport Transfers: To city centre by Skybus coaches is approximately $8.50, or taxi $24.

Climate: Summer 24-25 deg CC. Winter 13-14 deg CC.

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