"Marvellous Melbourne", the capital of the Australian state of Victoria, is known for its Australian Rules football, great cultural events and multicultural restaurants.
Located on the slow-moving brown Yarra River, Melbourne is a city of great old bluestone buildings built in the nineteenth century in the heyday of Queen Victoria. But it is also a modern metropolis with loads of boutiques, bars and brasseries.
Some of Melbourne's important tourist attractions:
Yarra River: great to wander along on a sunny day. Take or bike ride or take a river tour.
Rialto Towers Observation Deck: You can have a great view of the metropolis from the 55th floor of the Rialto Towers is Melbourne's tallest building.
Old Melbourne Gaol: this bluestone edifice built in 1841 is the place where the bushranger Ned Kelly mounted the scaffold.
Polly Woodside Maritime Museum: The Polly Woodside is an old sailing ship built in in 1885 and is open daily for inspection.
Queen Victoria Market: This huge market contains hundreds of stallholders selling everything from jeans and books to fruit and vegetables.
Myer Christmas Window Displays: At Christmas, both adults and children enjoy viewing the elaborate and beautiful window displays in the Myers department stores.
Historic Houses: A number of wonderful architectural gems maintained by the National Trust, including Como (1840-59), built on the banks of the Yarra River, and Rippon Lea, with its large gardens enlivened by resident peacocks.
St Kilda: Originally a seaside resort and later a place where the wealthy built their mansions, these days the residents are a mixture of migrants and bohemians. Visit the St Kilda Pier, Luna Park, the Palais Theatre and the St Kilda Esplanade Art and Craft Market.
