About Melbourne, Victoria

Melbourne, the gateway to Victoria, sits astride the Yarra River and is positioned at the very top of Port Phillip Bay. It is Australia's second largest city, with a mix of modern high rise towers, preserved Victorian historic architecture and attractive parks and gardens.

Every Australian vacation should include a tour of Melbourne.  The choices of xxx are many and varied, ranging from 5 star luxury to accommodation for the budget conscious. Melbourne has a great selection of smaller boutique hotels. Visitors to Melbourne should note that the city hosts many major events and festivals and accommodation can be difficult to find at those times. Booking accommodation well in advance is recommended.

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The city is home to the most cosmopolitan mix of ethnic groups and backgrounds of all the Australian cities. Dating from the days of assisted passage after World War 2, the influx of immigrants that has done so much to shape and enhance Australian society is very evident in Melbourne.

Melburnians love their sport and are keen patrons of the major events. The Australian Open Tennis, Formula One Grand Prix, Australian 500cc Motor Cycle Grand Prix, the Melbourne Cup horse race and spring racing carnival all attract major crowds. The final of the local AFL football league attracts crowds up to 100,000.

Places of Interest - Melbourne, Victoria

Popular with locals and visitors alike are Melbourne's yellow and green trams which faithfully move the population around the city. A free City Circle tram service is available for visitors. Flinders Street Station with its clocks where for generations, people have arranged to meet. Take a tram ride to St Kilda and visit the pier and Pavilion. Try your luck at the huge Crown Casino.

Australia's most diverse ethnic mix. Anglo Saxon, Greek, Italian, Chinese, Vietnamese are just some of the cultures to be found in Melbourne's shops and restaurants. Melbourne Food and Wine Festival in March - April. Art lovers should visit the National Gallery of Victoria, the Victorian Arts Centre and the Myer Music Bowl.

Have a drink with Chloe at Young & Jacksons Hotel as part of a walking tour. Also take in St Pauls Cathedral. Visit the Rialto Towers observation deck on the 55th floor. For a change of pace, visit the Queen Victoria Market and see the produce vendors in action.

Go to a football match at the Melbourne Cricket Ground and experience the crowd atmosphere. The ground serves as a home for cricket during the summer and in winter it is the headquarters for the AFL (Australian Football League) also known as "Australian Rules" football.

Historic sites at Captain Cook's cottage in Fitzroy Gardens, Como Homestead overlooking the river in South Yarra and Ripponlea near St Kilda. The Old Melbourne Gaol is where the bushranger Ned Kelly met his end at the end of a gallows rope.

Travel to the southern fringes of Melbourne and visit Werribee for its Werribee Park Zoo, Werribee Park Mansion and gardens, and the adjoining Victorian State Rose Garden. Pay a visit to the Air Force Museum at Point Cook.

Many of the attractions associated with Melbourne lie in the nearby towns and centres around Port Phillip Bay. These areas have their own page for Melbourne Surrounds.
About Victoria -  Melbourne Surrounds

This is an area of approximately 80-100km around the city of Melbourne. That's a small region by Australian standards but it's rich in features, taking in the gourmet trails and vineyards of the Macedon Ranges in the west through to the fantastic vineyards and wineries of the Yarra Valley in the east.

The gold rush architecture and history of the Alexandra area and east to the tall timber retreats of the Dandenong Ranges and vineyards of the Yarra Valley. Bushwalking, bird watching, abseiling, rock climbing, hang gliding, caving, eco tours, golf, horse riding, cycling, hedge mazes, chairlifts, picnic horse races,  wine routes, scenic tours, fine restaurants, mineral springs and spas.

Places of Interest - Melbourne Surrounds

Melbourne - Click here to link to Melbourne's own page.
 
 

Macedon Ranges and Spa Country - north-west from Melbourne and taking in the bottom tip of the Great Dividing Range. Promoted as a region of "Pure Indulgence" and best known for its vineyards, mountain retreats, historic homes, the mystery of Hanging Rock and mineral and freshwater springs.

Sunbury is the birthplace of the Ashes, a sporting trophy of significance to Australian and English cricket followers. Much of the grandeur of yesteryear in historic buildings and homes. The George Evans Museum for local heritage displays. Historic buildings of the Victoria University and the Boilerhouse Arts Complex. Emu Bottom Homestead, earliest homestead in Victoria and now classified by the National Trust.

Macedon has a cool climate and rich volcanic soils which attracted grand homes and gardens. Take tours of the historic homes and popular woodland settings. Many fine eateries in the area. Visits to the lookout at the top of Mt Macedon. 20 km of bush walking tracks around the mountain. A short drive to the famous rock formations at Hanging Rock near Hesket. Woodend is a historic town associated with images of bushrangers now known for antiques and craft shops, markets, galleries and a wide range of accommodation and eateries.

Kyneton still exhibits many examples of fine colonial architecture. A haven for arts and crafts lovers. Visits to the extensive collection of period pieces in the Kyneton Museum. An original squatters homestead in the museum grounds. Malmsbury is the heart of bluestone country. Stone bridges, viaducts, mills and cottages. The Botanic Gardens are highly rated. Home of the rare hybrid strawberry tree.

Kilmore & Lancefield are at the north-east end of the Macedon Ranges and known as thoroughbred country. Kilmore boasts a horseshoe factory. Ride Hudson Park in the old cable tram. Visit the Dreamtime Emu Park.

Daylesford and Hepburn Springs are twin towns known for their mineral springs and spas. Genteel afternoon teas, stately homes and fine dining amongst the largest collection of natural mineral and freshwater springs in Australia. Lake Daylesford Central Springs with its many pavilions and springs. Try the Hepburn blowhole. River gorges, waterfalls and raging rapids in the surrounding streams. Plenty of good walks and treks. See the area by historic train rides. Visits to the Lavender Farm in nearby Yandoit.

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Murrindindi Region - the grand architecture of Alexandra, credited with having hosted 27 hotels during its gold rush heyday. Take the heritage walk through town or ride the timber train. Fraser National Park and the legendary C.J Dennis Gardens. The majestic tall timber of the Black Spur rainforest. All types of adventure activities.

The spectacular Wilhemina Falls and Murrindindi Cascades south of Yea, trout fishing in the Yea and Goulburn Rivers, or kayak the rivers, take a "Harley" tour or take in some snow at Lake Mountain behind picturesque Marysville.
 
 

Dandenong Ranges - home to some of the finest gardens in Australia. Karwarra is a native flora garden at Kalorama on the Mt Dandenong Tourist Road. The National Rhododendron Gardens at Olinda, the Pirianda Gardens in Hacketts Road and Alfred Nicholas Memorial Gardens near Sherbrooke Forest.

Travel to Belgrave and ride Puffing Billy to Emerald Lake - a must for the kids. Visit the lookouts at Skyhigh, Mt Dandenong for vistas across Port Phillip Bay, Woolrich Lookout for views of the surrounding Olinda area, One Tree Hill Lookout in the National Park and John's Hill Reserve at Kallista.

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The Yarra Valley - one of Australia's premier wine producing regions with a wine history back to 1845. Many wine routes and cellar door tastings and fine restaurants available in the region. Guided tours available. Partake of the Grape Escape, the annual Yarra Valley Grape Grazing Weekend in March. Wine, food and music.

Canoe or kayak along the Yarra River on its way through the valley. Sail on Sugarloaf Reservoir. Hot air balloon rides over the valley. Testing bush walks, rock climbing and fishing. The Mount St Leonard Lookout and the Galeena Beek Living Culture Centre for an insight into Aboriginal history and culture. The famous Healesville Sanctuary for the largest collection of Australian wildlife in the world.

Warburton with its rugged timbered hillsides and fine golf course acts as a jumping off point for the attractions of the upper Yarra Valley. Gold mining and timber cutting relics. A popular area for absieling, rock climbing, hang gliding, caving, eco tours and horse riding. The Warburton Water Wheel and Visitor Centre is a popular attraction. Donna Buang Rainforest Gallery is the state's first tree top rainforest walkway gallery. Try the 38km of Lilydale to Warburton Rail Trail, great for walking, cycling and horse riding.