Melbourne is the second-largest city in Australia and is known to be Australia’s most cultured city—although some Sydney-siders would contest this. The city’s main features are museums, galleries and theatres, large green areas and the Yarra River flowing across the urban centre. Melbourne has seen wave after wave of immigrants with Italians, Greeks, Chinese and Vietnamese all adding ingredients to the cultural and culinary mix. And there’s the sports-mad, of course. Each year, Melbourne lays host to some of the world’s major international sports events such as the Australian Open in tennis, and Formula 1 racing.
The city developed during the height of the Victorian gold rush in the late 1800s, which is shown in the Victorian-era architecture in some neighbourhoods. However, developments over the years have also left their mark, recently with the new and modern Federation Square complex, and the Docklands re-development. But, probably, the most famous characteristic of Melbourne is the television series ‘Neighbours’ recorded here and broadcasted across the world for more than 20 years.
Facts：
Population
4.1 million
Electricity
220 to 240 Volt. Three pin plugs.
Emergency numbers
Ambulance, fire or police: 000
Telephone
Country code: +61 Area code: 03
Embassy/Consulate：
1. Australian Embassy, Immigration Section
Email： immigration.beijing@dfat.gov.au
Tel：(010) 5140 4424
Fax：(010) 5140 4164
Add.：21 Dongzhimenwai Dajie, Beijing 100600, China
Postal/Zip Code：100600
District：Beijing municipality, Tianjin municipality or Hebei province
2. Australian Consulate General Shanghai
Email： immigration.shanghai@dfat.gov.au
Tel： (021)6279 8098
Add.： Australian Consulate General Shanghai, Visa Office, Suite 401 Shanghai Centre 1376 Nanjing West Road, Shanghai
Shanghai's best-known street is impressive at any time of day, but it's at its most glam in the evening when floodlighting illuminates the colonial piles and the neon across the river in Pudong gaudily glitters. Take a stroll along the waterfront walkway and watch Shanghai go by.
Address: Federation Square
2. St Kilda
One of the liveliest and most colourful areas of Melbourne right on the Hobson Bay. Acland and Fitzroy streets are the main roads with bars, restaurants and shops. The cake shops are just too tempting! In the late afternoon, take a stroll along St Kilda Beach to watch the sunset.
Address: St Kilda
3. Royal Botanic Gardens
Arguably one of most beautiful botanic gardens in the world and the perfect place for a relaxing and picturesque picnic. It displays more than 50,000 plants and one of Melbourne's most popular tourist attractions.
Address: Birdwood Avenue, South Yarra
4. Brunswick Street
One must visit bohemian style Brunswick Street in Fitzroy, which is well known for its many bars, cafés, restaurants and unique boutiques that come to life at any hour of the day.
Address: Brunswick Street
5. Phillip Island
This nature reserve offers plenty to entertain the visitors, but the highlight is the nightly parade of penguins returning ashore and heading to their sand dune homes at sunset after spending the day fishing. Expect anything from a couple of hundred to a couple of thousand penguins.
Address: Phillip Island
6. St. Paul's Cathedral
St. Paul's Cathedral is located in Federation Square. This beautiful and historic building is set right next to modern buildings and is a good example where old meets new. The cathedral is built in neo-Gothic style and was consecrated in 1891.
Melbourne's ethnic diversity is reflected in its culinary world, and as gastronomic outings are a bit of a local obsession, there are a vast variety of restaurants to choose from. It's no surprise that Melbourne is dubbed the eating capital of Australia. Many of Melbourne's areas have a culinary character all of their own—from the Greek atmosphere of Lonsdale Street or Carlton's "Little Italy," to the wide choice of Chinatown around Little Bourke Street. Near the Yarra River, at the Southgate complex you can enjoy striking views of the city and spectacular waterfront while you dine. You'll find something for every palate and price range—from fine dining to fast noodles, from focaccia to fish of the day. It is said that to truly discover Melbourne is to embark on an adventure for the taste buds.
1. China Bar Signature
China Bar Signature is the largest buffet restaurant in Melbourne and offers the best of Asian cuisine. The food is prepared by some of the finest chefs from all over Asia, including China, Vietnam, Malaysia and Hong Kong. Here you can enjoy dishes like sushi, sashimi, fresh oysters, Peking duck, yum cha, noodle and traditional Asian soups.
Address: 222 Exhibition Street
2. Cerberus Beach House
This lovely, small hidden gem in the heart of Black Rock serves fresh sea food and healthy classics in an open fronted restaurant. Friendly staff, amazing food and a stunning view over the bay, what more can one ask for?
Address: Boat Shed 212, Half Moon Bay
3. Red Orange
Red Orange offers a mix of modern Australian and international cuisine located just opposite the famous Prahran Market. The Porterhouse steak is mouth-watering.
Address: 194 Commercial Road, South Yarra
4. Baraki Upo Mezethes
The restaurant offers a mouth-watering selection of distinctive Mediterranean mezethes to share. Don't miss out on the signature dish! And, as the menu suggests, "ask for lots of bread and feel free to make a mess."
Address: 168 Lonsdale Street, City
5. French Brasserie
The French Brasserie in the top end of town boasts an internationally renowned chef who produces modern French cuisine. This culinary delight is served in a chic environment with an inside and outside seating area.
Melbourne is a centre for art, music and theatre as much as it is for designer shopping. Its neighbourhoods have evolved distinctive identities, from fashion-conscious South Yarra to retro Fitzroy, funky St. Kilda by the bay and the bargain-shopping inner hub of Richmond.
1. Myer
Myer is a city institution established over 80 years ago and the biggest single department store in Australia.
Address: 314-336 Bourke Street
2. The Walk Arcade
Inside The Walk Arcade you will find a variety of fashion and accessories suitable for various ages, shapes and sizes.
Address: 309-325 Bourke Street
3. The Block Arcade
This arcade on Collins Street - Melbourne's main shopping street - is a grand Victorian building, which is reflected in the exclusive shops selling elegant leatherwear, glassware and couture.
Address: :282 Collins Street
4. Royal Arcade
The Royal Arcade, connecting Bourke and Little Collins Streets, is at the heart of Melbourne's shopping district and is lined up with souvenirs, travel, food and jewelry shops.
Address: 335 Bourke Street Mall
5. Melbourne Central
This urban inner-city arcade is a style-laden destination for shopping, eating & entertainment with over 300 stores to explore.
The Melbournian sense of hospitality shines through in the hotel services the city offers. Everything from classic Victorian to hip and modern and back to the pure basics.
1. The Windsor
This five-star hotel is a clear example of Melbourne's gold-rush days and is one of Australia's grand Victorian hotels, which is famous for its afternoon teas. It is located close to shopping and restaurants.
Address: 111 Spring Street
2. Lindrum Hotel
Stylishly decorated and suited to make you feel at your best - you'll find it hard to leave your room - especially if you make the right choice from the pillow menu!
Address: 26 Flinders Street
3. Batman's Hill Hotel
Bursting with pride at its modern-day look, this trendy hotel is very chic and located in the heart of Melbourne. This four-star hotel offers affordable quality accommodation.
Address: 623 Collins Street
4. Crown Promenade
The Crown Promenade Hotel is upscale with a great location, right in the centre of the Southbank entertainment precinct. Close to the CBD, this hotel is sumptuous and has a clean, modern and open architectural style. If you want to work out, you have an indoor pool, gym, steam rooms and outside decks.
Address: 8 Whiteman Street
5. Hotel Causeway
In the heart of Melbourne, the Causeway is an elegant and tastefully styled boutique hotel. Shopping, cafés and restaurants are right around the corner and the Melbourne Convention Centre and Docklands are only a short walk away. The roof terrace is perfect place to kick back and relax.
Melbourne Tullamarine airport is located 25km north of the city. A shuttle bus – Skybus - offers service from the airport to Melbourne city and operates 24/7 from every 10 minutes daily. Tickets are 1/3rd price of a taxi. Skybus can also pick up and drop off at most hotels in the city from 7am-6:30pm. Airport Taxis are available from the ground floor level outside all terminals.
2. Public Transport
Trains cover the city centre and suburban areas with Flinders Street Station as the main hub and run from 5am-midnight. Trams cover the city and inner suburbs and run every 6-8 minutes, but less frequently on late nights and weekends. Buses cover the whole city and suburbia. A Metcard can be used on all services and can be bought in stations, in shops carrying the Met flag or online.
There is a free City Tourist Shuttle and a free City Circle Tram both stopping at key tourist attractions and destinations in and around the city and runs daily from 10am-4pm every 15 minutes. For those who enjoy a more environmental friendly way of seeing the city can jump on one of Melbourne's CityBikes, which carries two passengers. A one-hour sightseeing tour costs about A$55 per vehicle. You can also use the Yarra River as a means of transportation, where boat cruises, water taxis and even gondolas will take you on board.
