Melbourne

Located in the state of Victoria, Melbourne is Australia's second largest city after Sydney. Visitors enjoy its Victorian-style districts, its charming historical centre, its tramways and huge parks. Melbourne also holds enchanting treasures for its locals, thanks to its architecture - the country's most elegant, its chic boutiques and its artists and researchers who are reputed to be the best in the world...
Melbourne is definitely worth a visit : take the time to visit the city on board a tram, walk along the « Oxford-like » banks of the Yarra River, make the most of the welcoming pubs or stroll around one of its numerous parks...

Go to the Rialto Observation Deck tower to enjoy a magnificent panorama of the city and Port Philip. You can go on a boat ride down the Yarra River and window shopping in the districts of Southgate, South Yarra and Collins Street. You can also buy things from Queen Victoria Market.

You will need a minimum of two full days to visit Melbourne : you ought to reserve one whole day to visit its districts which date back to the 1900's, as well as its gardens and museums and another day just to enjoy the peacefulness of the city and appreciate the artistic activiy that goes on, as well as the local gastronomy and sports.

Coach lines regularly run to the cities of Adelaide (an 11 hour trip) and Brisbane (24 hours). The railway network is a good alternative as it will allow you to get to Sydney within 11 hours (two daily services).

« Good food », as you will discover, is simply part of the Melbourne way of life: they invented the concept! In the numerous restaurants in the capital, you will be able to taste varied cuisine, of different origins : Asian, Italian, French, etc. The produce they use is good quality but the dishes are costly.

On the south bank, you will observe many shops in the district of Prahran, where you will find Chapel Street, a wonderful shopping street : it is full of clothes, antiques, supermarkets, etc. On the north bank, stroll along Bridge Road and Victoria Parade, two places where you are sure to find incredible little boutiques selling all sorts of things.