Melbourne travel guide
The capital of Victoria is Australia’s most “European” city, a 21st-century metropolis with an abundance of 19th-century charm and a passion for culture and sport.
Visiting Melbourne
That Melbourne continues to feature at or near the top of the The Economist's 'most liveable city' table never surprises its residents. Melbourne doesn't have a beautiful harbour or an amazing opera house, but it simply and quietly gets on with being the sporting, cultural and dining capital of Australia. It's also a shopping magnet for many Australians, lured by boutiques known for their one-off designs. For visitors, that combination justifies an extended stay.
Newcomers will not find the most picturesque city. The Yarra River isn’t the sparkling focal point that rivers are in some cities. Novelist Anthony Trollope considered the Yarra (or Yarra Yarra as it was) during a visit in 1871: “It seems to have but little to do with the city. But it is popular with rowers, and it waters the Botanical Gardens”. Attitudes toward the Yarra River are changing, though slowly. There has been extensive work over the past few years, with the Southgate development, Federation Square and a massive rehabilitation programme at Docklands.
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