Melbourne – The Cultural Capital of Australia
Melbourne,
Australia has a number of pre eminent theatres, art galleries, festivals, performances, and works of art that makes it the cultural capital of Australia.
History of Melbourne:
The history of Melbourne is marked by an era known as “Marvelous Melbourne”. This era witnessed enormous wealth of the goldfields which fueled accelerated economic growth of Melbourne that lasted for around forty years. Australia’s first railway was built in Melbourne in 1854.
Popular Places and Attractions:
Art lovers from all over the world flock to Melbourne for its National Gallery of Victoria, the Myer Music Bowl and the Victorian Arts Centre. Melbourne Zoo, set in the lovely botanic gardens, is Australia’s oldest zoo that is home to over 300 species from all over the world. One can get in touch with Mother Nature by strolling amid the lush tropical backdrop of the African and Asian rainforests at the zoo.
Another popular destination is Federation Square that brings together outstanding architecture, exquisite gardens and innovative engineering together and acts as a cultural magnet of the city. Located next to the Royal Exhibition Building, Melbourne Museum is another exciting tourist attraction.
For a 360-degree breathtaking and panoramic bird-eye view of Melbourne, Melbourne Observation Deck is the right place. History buffs would fall in love with Ripponlea, Old Melbourne Gaol, and Captain Cook’s cottage in Fitzroy Gardens. Other interesting places worth a visit are Melbourne Aquarium, State Library of Melbourne, The Block Arcade, Victoria Police Museum, ANZ Banking Museum, St. Paul’s Cathedral etc.
Getting Around in Melbourne:
The public transportation system of Melbourne is called as “Met” which offers train, tram and bus transport, all on the same ticket. Tram is the most popular way to view the city and its inner suburbs. A good
guide is to keep some small notes and coins handy to pay for your transportation.
Places for Entertainment:
Think Melbourne, think shopping. The glittering stores and shopping malls in Melbourne have well served as the shopping capital of Australia. Shopping centers such as Australia on Collins, Galleria and Melbourne Central have successfully pulled crowds from all over.
The laneways reveal the modern adaptation of an ancient bazaar with fascinating shops selling everything from coins to antiques. Queen Victoria Markets, Sunday’s Market at the Arts Centre, Royal Arcade, Federation Square, etc are some of the principal shopping venues around Melbourne.
Food lovers can taste traditional regional dishes and modern Spanish cooking at Mo Vida and Donovans and mouth watering cakes at world famous Brunetti. For an exhilarating nightlife scene, Melbourne’s pubs, bars, theatres, cocktail lounges and nightclubs spills the magic.
Accommodation Options:
The second largest city of Australia, Melbourne offers various accommodation options to offer to its visitors like
budget hotels, apartments, motels,
youth hostels,
bed and breakfast,
guesthouse, inns, backpackers lodgings etc.
Melbourne is famous for hosting world class sporting events such as the Australian Open Tennis Championship, Australian Motorsports Grand Prix, Australian Football League, etc. The city bustles with nonstop action all through the year.
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