Melbourne and Yarra River

Melbourne Vic 3000 (Pop 3 806 000)

Melbourne, Victoria's capital, is located on the Yarra River and Port Phillip in the state's south. It is Australia’s 2^nd largest city and a major commercial, cultural & industry centre. First settled in 1835 and Australia’s capital city from 1901-1927, this easy city to navigate is set on a grid system with an extensive and charming tram network easing traffic congestion. Melbourne hosted the 1956 Summer Olympics & 2006 Commonwealth Games. Renowned for its fashion & food, many arcades and narrow streets still add a charm that a highrise city can’t compete with. Australian Open (tennis) (Jan), Australian Grand Prix (Mar), Melbourne Food &Wine Festival (Mar-Apr), Melbourne International Comedy Festival (Apr), Melbourne International Film Festival (July-Aug), Melbourne International Arts Festival (Oct), Melbourne Cup (Australia’s premier horse race) (Nov).

Tourist Attractions & Info:
Central Melbourne: Federation Sq Australian Centre for the Moving Image, Parliament of Victoria, State Library of Victoria, Chinatown, Carlton Gardens & Royal Exhibition Building, Old Melbourne Gaol, Melbourne Aquarium, Queen Victoria Market, Victorian Arts Centre, Koorie Heritage Trust Cultural Centre, National Gallery of Victoria. Around Melbourne: Royal Botanic Gardens & La Trobe Cottage, Cook’s Cottage & Fitzroy Gardens, Royal Melbourne Zoological Gardens, St Kilda (trendy & chic suburb), Carlton (Italian influenced suburb), South Yarra & Toorak (most affluent suburbs). Historic Melbourne: Capital Theatre, St Patricks Cathedral, Princess Theatre, Forum Theatre, St Paul’s Cathedral, Regent Theatre, St James’ Old Cathedral, University of Melbourne. Melbourne Museums: Melbourne Museum, Gold Treasury Museum, Immigration Museum, Jewish Museum of Australia, ANZ Banking Museum, Victoria Police Museum, Ian Potter Museum of Art, Railway Museum, Fire Services Museum, Australian Racing Museum & Hall of Fame.

Nearby:
The Dandenongs (50 km east) scenic area of hills, superb gardens, rainforests, fern gullies, cafes, galleries and interesting shops as well as the Puffing Billy steam train and the beautiful Dandenong Ranges NP. Yarra Valley (65 km n-e) home to over 30 excellent wineries, Yarra Ranges NP and the Healesville (native animal) Sanctuary. Mornington Peninsula (95 km south) features many historic seaside villages with access to three seafronts, numerous vineyards, boutique food producers and Mornington Peninsula NP. Phillip Island (143 km south) connected to the mainland by a bridge between San Remo and Newhaven, the island is home to thousands of fairy penguins, as well as seals and koalas. Sheltered beaches, spectacular coastal scenery and the Phillip Island Grand Prix Circuit Visitors Centre. Bellarine Peninsula (94 km s-w) known for its rugged coastline, quaint coastal villages, wineries and great beaches and nearby Geelong, Victoria’s 2^nd largest city.

Visitor Information Centre: Cnr Flinders St & St Kilda Rd. Tel (03) 9658 9658.