Enjoying Melbourne, Australia

Melbourne, Australia is the capital of the state of Victoria. It's a fashionable and energetic city. Residents and tourists alike enjoy festivals during the year, revel in their many beautiful parks, enjoy its many restaurants and lounges and, of course was enthusiastic about Australian Rules football. The weather is changeable and that adds to the popularity of the city. Melbourne is ranked as one of the world's most desirable cities.

Take a ride on the Melbourne City Tourist Shuttle which is a complimentary "hop on/hop off" bus and stops at key attractions in Melbourne. A complete city circuit takes about an hour and includes an excellent commentary about Melbourne.

Stop at the Melbourne Visitor Booth, located in the Bourke Street Mall, between Swanston and Elizabeth Streets. They're open daily except Christmas Day and Good Friday. Melbourne City Ambassadors, dressed in perky red uniforms, work in the retail district on Swanston Street corners at Bourke and Flinders streets. They're also in the main shopping area near Elizabeth, Flinders, La Trobe, and Russell streets. They're all volunteers and happy to help you enjoy their city. Find them there Monday through Saturday (except Good Friday, Christmas Day and Boxing Day.)

Hop on and hop off the Yarra River Shuttle; it runs from November until mid April. Stops include all of the main riverside attractions in Melbourne. Enjoy a short cruisewhich leaves from Southbank. You can also charter a boat at Melbourne Docklands.

Stroll down some of Melbourne's laneways which have a unique charm. Some of these laneways feature street furniture and are paved with bluestone. Here you'll find trendy bars, interesting eateries, funky boutiques, used bookstores, and art galleries scattered along these laneways. Enjoy your java fix at Centre Place and Degraves Street. Don't miss Hardware Lane where you'll find contemporary restaurants in warehouses that were originally built as stables and blacksmiths.

Attend an Australian Rules Football (Footy) game if you can. Aussies are passionate about this sport. It's similar to rugby and Gaelic football. AFL (their professional league) games are usually sold out so you'll need to get tickets in advance.

Ascertain the festivals and similar events that will coincide with your visit to Melbourne. Every August, Melbourne Day celebrates the founding of this city by its first European settlers in 1835. Their spring (our fall) brings the Melbourne Spring Fashion Week with shopping tours, lunch-time fashion shows, and workshops, even a very glamorous Official Evening Parade at the Melbourne Town Hall. Many of the 100+ fashion events that occur every year are free.

Check the following websites for more information on Melbourne.

www.melbourne.vic.gov.au

www.thatsmelbourne.com