 Attractions
The Royal Botanic Gardens: extends along the Yarra River from the city centre. It is a romantic English style garden with sweeping lawns, informal lakes and curving pathways.
Southbank: This new shopping area has a great reputation for its boutique shopping area, riverside cafes and restaurants and international food hall. Situated near by are the major theatres and galleries.
Queen Victoria Market: A truly multicultural event where hundreds of people come to and buy and sell their fresh produce . On the weekends the wares extend to clothing and souvenir goods at affordable prices.
Old Melbourne Gaol: with its chilling interior and 19th-century concepts of justice, this is where you can see the death mask of Ned Kelly.
King's Domain: is a splendid track of parklands along the Yarra River which holds inside it the Sidney Myer Music Bowl, well known for its open-air musical events.
Polly Woodside Maritime Museum: is home to the sailing barque Polly Woodside. Built in Belfast in 1885, she ended her working days in the Port of Melbourne. Now restored, she is the centrepiece of this maritime museum which has numerous other exhibits.
Victorian Arts Centre: comprises a complex of exciting buildings on the south bank of the Yarra. Three theatres below ground, the State Theatre, home to the Australian Ballet, the Playhouse and a studio space plus the Concert Hall is part of a centre that also beholds the Performing Arts Museum.
Royal Melbourne Zoo: just north of the city centre, is the oldest zoo in Australia and one of the oldest in the world. There are numerous walk-through enclosures, a wonderful butterfly exhibition, and a fabulous Gorilla rainforest. The zoo is open from 0900 to 1700 every day of the week, and allows little kids to explore in safety.
The National Museum: exhibits the first car and aircraft in Australia along with the stuffed remains of Phar Lap, the legendary racehorse. It is open from 1000 to 1700 every day.
Chinatown: is on Little Bourke Street and has existed ever since Chinese prospectors joined the rush to the gold fields in the 1850's. Today it still exists as the centre of the Chinese community. The Museum of Chinese Australian History in Cohen Place shows the considerable Chinese contribution to Australian history.
Rialto Tower Observation Deck: is Melbourne's newest and most impressive tourist attraction. Rialto Towers consist of two towers forming Australia's tallest reinforced concrete structure with a height of approximately 253 metres. The Towers are situated on the western edge of the city, giving uninterrupted 360 degree panoramic views of Melbourne.
Melbourne Cricket Ground: Situated in Jolimont the Melbourne Cricket Ground is where Australia's biggest sporting event is staged each year, The Australian Rules Grand Final. The Ground also houses cricket tests each year. Just outside the Cricket Ground is the Australian Gallery Of Sport.
The Yarra River: The Yarra River is the river that runs right through the centre of the city and offers one of the best views from The Princes Bridge. It is best seen on foot or by bike on one of its many walkways. Along the banks of the river are the Kings Domain, Royal Botanic Gardens and the Shrine of Remembrance.
Shopping:Melbourne is a crossroad of shopping pleasure, the heart of Melbourne has been transformed into a gigantic shopping centre, a linked series of department stores, boutiques, and specialist shops with their own character. Places like the New Australia on Collins. or Collins Place, Daimaru and Block Arcade. For a more exclusive shopping spree, there is Georges and Australia's only Max Mara shop, located on Georges. For the latest trends, head up to Chapel St or Richmond, these include the young style and the alternate. No matter where you go there is always a place to shop.
Night life:The volume of entertainment on any one night in Melbourne is staggering, it is a vast labyrinth of interlocking worlds, theatre, cabaret, jazz, comedy, folk music, poetry, circus, night clubs and many more, a quick glance through the entertainment guide will show you what the big budget companies have on offer, but rest assured that you will never have nothing to do at night.
Crown Casino: Melbourne's latest attraction and
Australia's finest casino and entertainment complex. Australia's answer to Las vegas.
Things To Do Outside Melbourne:
Phillip Island: Visit the island which is famous for its Fairy Penguins which each night at sunset travel up the beach from the water and up to the nest. The island also offers other wildlife such as wombats, emus, wallabies and other native wildlife and birdlife at the wildlife park. There is also a Koala Conservation Centre on the island.
Puffing Billy And The Blue Dandenongs: Travel on a traditional steam train called Puffing Billy through Victoria's beautiful Blue Dandenongs and visit parks abundant with birdlife.
Sovereign Hill: Visit a recreation of the 1850's gold mining town, experience panning for gold at Red Gully Creek and a guided tour of an underground mine. The recreation city is complete with blacksmiths and traditional craftsmen as well as a museum with an audiovisual display of life on the Australian gold fields.
The Great Ocean Road: Driving along this road you will see some of the world's best coastline. Views along this road also include the stone monoliths of the Twelve Apostles and remnants of Old London Bridge.
The Grampians: The Grampians are the largest National Park in Victoria. There is many wildlife to be seen in the park and in summer the park is full of beautiful wildflowers. The park also displays original art work from the Aborigines and is an excellent area for bush walking.
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