Melbourne, the capital of Victoria, is situated on the picturesque tree-lined banks of the Yarra River. Melbourne is located on the south-east coast and is the 2nd largest city in Australia. Over 3.5 million people live in the city, which has been voted The World’s Most Liveable City on a number of occasions. It is a thriving and cosmopolitan city with a unique balance of graceful old buildings and stunning new architecture surrounded by parks and gardens. Melbourne is Australia’s leader in the arts, sport and fashion, and has some of the finest restaurants in the country.

Melbourne is renowned for its festivals and sporting events, staging an exciting variety of entertainment each year including the Formula One Australian Grand Prix, the Australian Open Tennis, the Melbourne Food and Wine Festival, the Melbourne International Comedy Festival, the Melbourne Film Festival, the Boxing Day Test Cricket, the AFL Grand Final, the Heineken Golf Classic, and the Spring Racing Carnival.

The recent Docklands development has seen Melbourne city embrace the beauty of the Bay, converting old port authority sheds west of the city into a vibrant residential, business, sporting and entertainment precinct by the water.

For the night cats, Melbourne has the most live music venues in Australia and a burgeoning number of chic and groovy inner city bars for every level and style of socialising imaginable. Melbournians are also spoilt by the quality and range of gastronomic delights available to them. And for the shop-a-holics Melbourne fashion is the envy of many, from the Paris end of town in ritzy Collins Street to the urban cool of Chapel Street in South Yarra.

For more information on Melbourne including maps and guides, please visit www.whatson.melbourne.vic.gov.au. You can also get tailored advice once you have arrived by going to the Melbourne Visitor Centre at Federation Square, open 0900 to 1800 7 days a week. Visit Melbourne.

Below are some key attractions in Melbourne and it’s surroundings.