Joanna James
Tipped to be one of Australia's most vibrant cities, Melbourne is a must-visit highlight for all visitors. Here are 10 interesting facts all tourists must know about the dynamic metropolis.
While most tourists head to Melbourne for its shopping highlights, the city is, in fact, the sports capital of the country. Home to some of the most iconic sports arenas in Australia, the sporting calendar in Melbourne is the envy of the world. The MCG or Melbourne Cricket Ground is arguably the best-known sports venue in the country while the Rod Laver Arena and the Flemington Racecourse both play host to events the likes of the Australian Open and the Melbourne Cup.
Occupying the heart of Central Melbourne, Fed Square is a cultural and entertainment powerhouse in the city. The Australian Centre for the Moving Image is not the only attraction here as the Ian Potter Centre, the world's premier gallery to be devoted solely to Aussie art is also found here.
Culture buffs and museum fanatics alike will find that Melbourne is home to some of the country's top museums. Highlights include the National Gallery of Victoria, the National Sports Museum, the Melbourne Museum and the Immigration Museum as well as eight impressive art galleries that document the evolution of Australian creative expressions.
When it comes to getting around with ease in Melbourne, visitors and locals have two options. The trains which cover both the inner suburbs and the outer areas are perhaps the most popular option although the tram service which mainly operates within the CBD is a great way to see the city as a tourist.
Melbourne is also where a collection of the country's top parks and botanical spaces are also contained. This includes the sprawling Queen Victoria Gardens as well as the Royal Botanic Gardens which occupies a whopping 38 hectares of the city. The Carlton Garden is no less impressive while the city's best-loved park is undoubtedly Albert Park.
There's more to Melbourne than it's awe-inspiring Central Business District as the city is made up of equally interesting suburbs and lesser-known neighbourhoods. St.Kilda is one such venue where backpackers can find a beach haven to call their own while Williamstown is another beach hub for the masses.
Whether one is based at the WRAP on Southbank or any other hotels in Southbank or elsewhere in the city, the sheer variety of restaurants is truly staggering in every corner of Melbourne. From a large number of eateries in Chinatown to those occupying Lygon Street and Carlton, Melbourne's dining hubs also include a great number of stylish bars, especially down Brunswick Street.
Made up of small alleys and picturesque lanes, Melbourne's best-kept secrets are found in hidden corners around the city. From speciality stores to charming coffee houses and local boutiques, Melbourne's off the beaten track highlights are just as engaging as the central area.
A drive down the Great Ocean Road is one of the best reasons to holiday in Melbourne as this scenic drive offers drivers some of the world's best coastal scenes.
Although Melbourne is more popular than its home state, the city is the capital of Victoria and not a state in and of itself.
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