Trifter

“Melbourne: Victoria’s Melting Pot,” is seventh in the series on Australian Capitals.

Melbourne From Above

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Melbourne: Marvelous Melting Pot

Melbourne, the host of the 1956 Olympic Games, is Australia’s second-largest city with a population of almost four million.  Melted into Melbourne’s fabric are the colours of many peoples from the four corners of the World. Melbourne is Australia’s multi-cultural mélange with delights to tempt even the most jaded.  Melbourne possesses an old world charm. Why, Melbourne holds that feeling unlike any of the other Australian Capital Cities; the feeling of tradition.

Melbourne Australia’s Best City

Melbourne is arguably Australia’s best city.  The reason? Planning. The city has spent effort creating a long-term vision for this bustling Victorian metropolis.  The city area is buzzing; alive with cafe-bars and tiny clubs.  Sydney languishes whilst Melbourne pumps with the best bars and nightlife in the land.  Add to all this two new large art galleries, Federation Square and a bold, new contemporary art gallery Melbourne will open your eyes.  This revitalised downtown area draws folk to shop, dine and boogie like nowhere else.

I Want To Be Part of That! When Should I Go?

The best time to visit Victoria is in May or October – Fall and Spring.  The weather is clement; mild days and cool nights.  Melbourne is extremely hot and dry in Summer; best avoided. Melbourne is now experiencing scorching summer drought with raging fire-storms as climate change bites. ( See Australia Burning ).

Dress for a temperate climate most of the year. Cold in June and Hot in December; the opposite of the Northern hemisphere.

How Do I Get There?

As Melbourne is a major city simply fly in from anywhere. 

Melbourne’s Charming Trams Take You Everywhere

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Melbourne’s Secrets…

1. Greek migrants have made Melbourne the largest Greek city outside of Athens
2. Completely different to other Australian cities – Melbourne oozes style, class and European charm
3. Melbourne most affected by climate change
4. Beautifully planned with easy ingress and egress

When I Get There Where Should I Stay?

Lodging downtown is best. Melbourne looks and feels European. With sweeping parklands, a river setting and grand buildings many see London in Melbourne.  The city-centre holds the key; you can visit the rest of the Melbourne area from its’ heart. St. Kilda Beach, Lygon St, Chapel St and South Melbourne are fun parts of Melbourne, all within reach of downtown.  Melbourne holds verve, cliques and go!  So start in the city.

Melbourne Market Maven

If markets are your thing then Melbourne is for you. The Victoria and Prahran Markets are just like the famous markets of Europe. Melbourne marketplaces ooze old-world charm despite Melbourne’s youth. The city was  founded in 1836.  But, the markets and malls of Melbourne are also futuristic with plenty of memorable moments for the shopaholic.

Melbourne grew from humble roots becoming a global city, today, and an important pillar of the transnational market economy. The city breathes commerce.

Melbourne - Graffiti Art Capital of the Southern Hemisphere

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Motoring Melbourne

Melbourne is a huge place so consider hiring a car. With a car you can visit other parts of Victoria and drink in the countryside.  Ballarat, a city to the North, has a history of gold and uprising that will fascinate.  Torquay, along the Great Ocean Rd has Bells Beach, a famous surf beach and to the East of Melbourne there is the Black Spur’s ancient Gondwanaland Fern Dells.

Restaurant’s Galore

Migrants to Melbourne bought with them culinary skills like no other.  Many chefs from Italy discovered Melbourne during the 1956 Olympic Games, staying on in this city bringing Melbourne the finest cuisine in the Southern Hemisphere. Rugged Italian espresso, tasty Spanish tapas and melt-in-the-mouth Bavarian kuchen, are just a few mouth-watering dishes, “Melbournians,” make.  Melbourne has progressive drinking laws so lively, tiny bars populate the little downtown back-streets.  This is why Melbourne beats Sydney for it’s vibrant scene of cute bars and restaurants that you will be raving about for months when you return home.

Shopping…

Are you sick and tired of mass-produced apparel? If the answer is, “YES!” then Melbourne is definitely for you.  Your jaw will drop at the number of unique, small designer clothes shops in Melbourne.  Your friends will comment loudly on the clothes that you bring home pleading, “Where did you get that!?” Melbourne is a shopping Mecca  – Australia’s Capital of Chic – and definitely one to pump up the plastic in.

Shopping Extraordinaire – Melbourne Central Throws Open Her Doors

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Visit Other Australian Capitals…

Discover Dynamic Darwin 

Hobart: Tasmania’s Jewel 

Canberra: Australia’s Futuristic Wonder Capital

Adelaide: South Australia’s Siren

Perth: Pride of Western Australia 

Brisbane: Queensland’s Beautiful Bright Beauty