Melbourne, Victoria’s elegant capital, is truly one of the world’s most varied cities, with a lifestyle envied by many. The city is not only the financial focal point of Australia; it is equally renowned for its tree-lined streets and for the delightful parklands and gardens that hug the Yarra River. With beaches and bayside suburbs lining Port Phillip Bay, and the Dandenong Ranges providing a backdrop to the north-east, this picturesque city has much to offer both residents and visitors. Visitors can book a Melbourne backpackers in the city centre or in St Kilda, Melbourne’s seaside suburb.
Melbourne Docklands – Yarra’s Edge at twilight in Victoria, Australia
The city is set out following a typical nineteenth-century pattern -there is a grid system of streets, all named after early settlers and dignitaries. The main streets leading away from the main railway station, Spencer Street Station, are King, William, Queen, and Elizabeth, then you reach the main shopping area of Swanston Street.
The architecture of Melbourne retains a mix of styles -the ANZ Bank building is in the Gothic style, the Town Hall is art deco, and there are many modern skyscrapers. There are several fine buildings in the city, many of which were financed by the gold rush of the mid- to late 1800s. Examples of such buildings include the Magistrates Court, the Town Hall, the State Library and the Exhibition Buildings, which have been restored and are surrounded by magnificent gardens. There are also some impressive churches, including St Paul’s and St Patrick’s cathedrals, both of which have undergone extensive renovations. Como House in Toorak is an elegant Victorian mansion surrounded by superb gardens, and the Block Arcade, built in the 1890s and fully restored, is a wonderful centre for shoppers. One of the more unusual buildings of Melbourne is the Adelphi Hotel, which has a swimming pool that juts out over Flinders Lane, offering swimmers a view of the busy streetscape below. More about 2022 calendar
City of Melbourne Skyline and Southbank in Victoria, Australia
A great way to get to most of Melbourne’s attractions is by taking a free Circle Tram ride. The Circle Trams are a distinctive burgundy colour, not the traditional green of other Melbourne trams, and they circle the city along Flinders, Spencer, LaTrobe and Spring Streets. For visitors, the numerous attractions in the city of Melbourne are perhaps best appreciated on a guided tour, which can be organised through the tourist office in the city. The Yarra River is an integral part of the city and a cruise along the waterway is another lovely way to view the city. For views of the city, try the Rialto Towers Observation Deck, Melbourne’s tallest building, which offers a superb 360-degree view of the city and the surrounding area.
The original Government House, which occupied LaTrobe Cottage, and the present-day Government House can both be toured. The Melbourne Stock Exchange also offers tours, and the Bureau of Meteorology’s self-guided tour presents an impressive display, which includes interactive television screens. The Old Melbourne Gaol depicts life in a nineteenth-century Australian prison. It is here that Victorian hangings took place, 135 in total, including the infamous bushranger Ned Kelly -death masks made of those hanged can be viewed.
Melbourne CBD seen from Southbank with Flinders Street Station in the foreground in Victoria, Australia
The Old Treasury building, one of the more significant nineteenth-century buildings in Melbourne, underwent a significant restoration in 1994. It features changing exhibitions representing various aspects of Australian history. Built in 1872, the Royal Mint hosts two major displays, one pertaining to the Royal Mint, the other set up by the Royal Historical Society of Melbourne, and providing a comprehensive history of Melbourne.
