Melbourne is the capital city of Victoria and second largest in Australia (Sydney is the largest). Population: Greater Melbourne: 5.2 million Established: 30 August 1835 Area: 8,806 sq km Melbourne is set around the shors of Port Phillip Bay. The CBD itself sits on the banks of the Yarra river, about 5 km from the bay. CBD It is a planned city - having a neat rectangular grid of streets. The CBD is made up of precincts - distinct enclaves ach with its own flavour and charm. Climate Melbourne has a mild climate. Avergae temparatures in Winter are around 14 degrees celcius, while in Summer they are 25 degrees celcius. Average rainfall is about 55mm per month. Language English is the official language but more than 100 languages are spoken. Banking & Business Hours Business Hours - Monday to Friday 9am to 5pm Banks - Monday to Friday 9.30am to 4.00pm Shopping Hours Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday 10am to 6pm Friday 10am to 9 pm Saturday 10am to 5pm Sunday 10am to 5pm Tipping Generally not the custom in Australia, with the exception of fine dining restaurants where its usual to tip waiters up to 10% of the bill for good service. At any time however, tipping is your choice. TRANSPORT Trains Flinders Street Station (corner of Flinders St and Swanston St) is the hub of Melbourne's suburban train system. There are 16 different train lines servicing the outer suburbs. Trams Trams are a part of Melbourne's character and are very easy and plentiful to catch - particularly in the CBD. They offer a very convenient way to travel - particularly for short distances in and around the CBD as well as to the inner suburbs. Taxi They can be flagged down at the kerb or caught at one of the many taxi ranks. Plane Melbourne Airport is approximately 22km north west of the city centre. Getting to the city from the airport (or vice versa) is easiest by 'skybuses' which travel 24 hours a dayto and from Sourthern Cross Station and city hotels or taxi or car. Water Taxi & River Cruises These operate from Federation Dock and from Southbank. SHOPPING Melbourne is Australia's shopping and fashion capital. The atmosphere of tree-lined streets, narrow streets, boulevardes and laneways make shopping an adventure. There are flagship stores such as Myers and David Jones with many other designer and specialty stores. retail centres such as: - GPO Melbourne
- Melbourne Central
- Collinstwo3four
- QV
- Southbank
- Docklands
- Australia on Collins
- Bourke Street Mall are a must to visit.
DINING Melbourne is the food capital of Australia. City restaurants are known for good food at fair prices. Many Melbourne precincts are associated with food such as: * Greek at Lonsdale Street * Italian at Lygon Street * Chinese at Little Bourke Street (Chinatown) Further to this there are many many top restaurants of modern Australian cuisine with European and Asian influences. PARKS & GARDENS Melbourne has more than 480 hectares of parks & gardens, a greater proportion than any other city in the world. Such parks and gardens include: * Fitzroy & Treasury Gardens * Royal Botanic Gardens * Carlton Gardens * King's Domain * Royal Park * Albert Park SPORTS Melbourne and sport go hand in hand. The city has a national and internationalreputation for staging world class events such as the Australian Open Tennis, AFL Grand Final, Melbourne Cup (horse racing) and many more. Stadiums and facilities like the historic Melbourne Cricket Ground and the modern Telstra Stadium to name a few. MELBOURNE ATTRACTIONS - Melbourne Aquarium
- Eureka Skydeck 88
- Chinese Museum
- Giant Sky Wheel
- Melbourne Maritime Museum
- Melbourne 360 Observation Deck at Rialto
- Federation Square
- Queen Victoria Markets
- Southbank
- Docklands
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