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Australia » Melbourne
 City Guide
 
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 The unspoiled countryside of Australia, presents some breathtaking visual delights. Australia is famed for its friendly people, scenic beauty and great urban centers. Sydney is said to be most "European" of all the Australian cities while Melbourne is the fashion, food and sports capital of the country. The many parks and lush gardens flourish the city. Sydney rests majestically on the shores of a beautiful natural harbor with scores of sparkling beaches. Since the climate in Sydney is moderate, most people prefer spending there time outdoors, walking, sight-seeing and relaxing in delightful cafes and restaurants, overlooking glistening blue waters. The heart of tropical north Queens land, Cairns provides access to two of Australia s most famous Heritage sites - the great Barrier reef and "tropical rainforest " Cairns also provides a base for exploring the rich aboriginal culture of north Queens land which dates back 40,000 years. An hours drive south of Brisbane lie 40 kms of dazzling white, sun drenched beaches - This is Gold Coast. |
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By Air
Direct Flights: Qantas, British Airways
Connecting Flights
Thai Airways, Singapore, Malaysian, Cathay Pacific
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Melbourne Zoo
Melbourne Zoo is Australia s oldest zoo. There is an African rainforest with gorillas, orangutans, hippos and big cats, as well as a particularly impressive butterfly house and a bush land exhibit, which is home to many of Australia s native wildlife species.
Phillip Isle Penguin Parade Phillip Island is rugged and windswept with plenty of beaches, a fascinating collection of wildlife and several old-fashioned townships. The island s Penguin Parade is one of the country s most popular tourist attractions. Every evening the little penguins at Summerland Beach emerge from the sea and waddle up the beach to their nests, seemingly oblivious to the busloads of camera-toting tourists.
Puffing Billy with Yarra Wineries
The Yarra Valley, on Melbourne s northeast outskirts, is a lovely area for bush walking or biking, or swilling a few glasses of pinot. The Healesville Wildlife Sanctuary is one of the best places to see Australian native fauna. The sanctuary is in a natural bush land setting, and a walking track will take you past enclosures housing wallabies, kangaroos, wombats, platypuses, koalas, birds, snakes and lizards. The valley is also one of Australia s most respected wine-growing regions, with more than 30 wineries scattered among these beautiful hills and valleys.
Federation Square
Designed as an architectural icon in a city, Federation Square is a complete new city block, bringing together social, cultural and commercial activities. Highlights include NGV: Australian, Federation Pub (a three-level, space-age watering hole), the Australian Centre for the Moving Image and the Atrium.
Melbourne Observation Deck
Located on level 55 of the tallest office building in the southern hemisphere, the Melbourne Observation Deck offers 360-degree panoramic views of Melbourne and the surrounding areas.
William Ricketts Sanctuary
Located in a mountain ash forest in the Dandenong Ranges, tranquil William Ricketts Sanctuary is the location where the sculptor, William Ricketts, positioned his mystical kiln-fired clay sculptures of Aboriginal figures among the rocks and ferns.
Melbourne Museum
Australia s largest museum boasts of a living, breathing Forest Gallery, the giant Rubik s cube of the Children s Museum, the Bunjilaka Aboriginal Centre and displays featuring dinosaurs, the history of Melbourne and the beloved racehorse Phar Lap.
Great Ocean Road Adventure
The Great Ocean Road is a spectacular drive along the coast to Adelaide, starting 72km (45 miles) to the west of Melbourne at Geelong. For much of the route, the road hugs the rugged coastline overlooking some excellent surfing beaches and passing through Otway and Port Campbell national parks to the spectacular rock formations known as the Twelve Apostles.
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| Melbourne Central, Lonsdale Street, has a magnificent glass cone covering the famous Shot Tower, the only feature remaining from the Lead Pipe & Shot Factory. There are over 200 shops, including many Australian designer outlets and the Daimaru international department store. The Block Arcade, Collins Street, Melbourne s main shopping street, is a grand Victorian building. This is reflected in the shops that sell elegant leatherwear, glassware and couture. Nearby is the Royal Arcade, which features antique and gift shops. Melbourne has a number of markets located throughout the city although the most outstanding is the Queen Victoria Market on Victoria Street. The market is open Tuesday and Thursday 0600-1400, Friday 0600-1800, Saturday 0600-1500 and Sunday 0900-1600. |
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 Melbourne s public transport system is called the Met. It offers trams, trains and bus services on the one ticket. The city and inner suburbs are best seen by tram - a unique way to travel. The train network is extensive, and includes lengthy suburban routes and an underground city loop. The taxis are numerous but expensive. |
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Haveli Indian
Ameer Tandoori
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Orange
The night cat
Tony Starr s kitten club
Bars
Peel dance bar
Hairy canary
Revolver
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