Melbourne, the gateway to Victoria, sits astride the Yarra River and is positioned at the very top of Port Phillip Bay. It is Australia’s second largest city, with a mix of modern high rise towers, preserved Victorian historic architecture and attractive
parks and gardens.
Every Australian vacation should include a Melbourne tour. Sports events, theatres, exhibitions, casino… Melbourne has it all. The Melbourne Aquarium won the Australian Tourism Award for the Best Major Tourist Attraction so be sure to put that on your list of places to visit. The city is home to the most cosmopolitan mix of ethnic groups and backgrounds of all the Australian cities.
Visitors should note that the city hosts many major events and festivals and accommodation can be difficult to find at those times. Advance bookings are always recommended for Melbourne accommodation.
The approximately 80-100km surrounding the city of Melbourne include regions containing the gourmet trails and vineyards of the Macedon Ranges in the west through to the fantastic vineyards and wineries of the Yarra Valley in the east. It also encompasses the gold rush architecture and history of the Alexandra area and extends east to the tall timber retreats of the Dandenong Ranges and Yarra Valley. Enjoy activities such as: bushwalking, bird watching, abseiling, rock climbing, hang gliding, caving, eco tours, golf, horse riding, cycling, hedge mazes, chairlifts, picnic horse races, wine routes, scenic tours, fine restaurants, mineral springs and spas.