Things to do in Melbourne, Australia

Nestled on Port Phillip Bay along Australia's southeastern coast, Melbourne is the nation's second largest city. Capital of Victoria, it was established in 1835 on lands John Batman purchased from aborigines (they believed they were granting only a right of way) and named for the British prime minister of the time. Unlike many of Australia's cities, Melbourne was settled by free men rather than by convicts and criminals. As a result, the city enjoyed an optimistic outlook from the beginning. Not long after Melbourne was founded, gold was discovered in Victoria's interior, and the city was flooded with prospectors and folks eager to accommodate their developing needs. Citizens of all nationalities came to Melbourne, and — after WWII — immigrants from the Mediterranean world and from throughout Southeast Asia also found their way to the coast, giving rise to a vibrant, eclectic urban culture. As it's been in the past, Melbourne is regarded as a sophisticated, worldly city, full of cultural opportunity and class. Fantastic restaurants, unparalleled shopping, and a wealth of parks and gardens provide a distinctive character that's bolstered by such community events as the Melbourne Cup, the Australian Tennis Open, and...  Read more »

Nestled on Port Phillip Bay along Australia's southeastern coast, Melbourne is the nation's second largest city. Capital of Victoria, it was established in 1835 on lands John Batman purchased from aborigines (they believed they were granting only a right of way) and named for the British prime minister of the time. Unlike many of Australia's cities, Melbourne was settled by free men rather than by convicts and criminals. As a result, the city enjoyed an optimistic outlook from the beginning. Not long after Melbourne was founded, gold was discovered in Victoria's interior, and the city was flooded with prospectors and folks eager to accommodate their developing needs. Citizens of all nationalities came to Melbourne, and — after WWII — immigrants from the Mediterranean world and from throughout Southeast Asia also found their way to the coast, giving rise to a vibrant, eclectic urban culture. As it's been in the past, Melbourne is regarded as a sophisticated, worldly city, full of cultural opportunity and class. Fantastic restaurants, unparalleled shopping, and a wealth of parks and gardens provide a distinctive character that's bolstered by such community events as the Melbourne Cup, the Australian Tennis Open, and Australian rules football. The city along the banks of the Yarra also derives fame from the Queen Victoria Market, charming historical architecture, a popular tram system, and an easy-to-navigate network of streets and boulevards. Plus, Melbourne's robust business climate attracts many of the country's most successful corporations and industries to its fold.