Melbourne
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Overview
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Australia's second-largest city, Melbourne, capital of Victoria, is the most
European in style with trams rattling through streets past Victorian
buildings, parks and outdoor cafes. The city centre is laid out in a simple
grid pattern, the long, wide north-south streets gently sloping down to the
Yarra River, crossed by a mix of narrow lanes, and the main shopping streets
such as Bourke and Collins Streets. The CBD is easily navigable by foot, and
if a rest is needed after a session of sightseeing or shopping there are
numerous parks nearby, such as the Royal Botanical Gardens, Fitzroy Gardens
and Carlton Gardens. Alternatively, you can take one of Melbourne's
signature attractions, a tram. The burgundy-coloured City Circle tram is
free, and is a good way to get your bearings as well as explore the inner
city, while for those wanting to go further afield the tram network extends
about 10 miles (15km) into the Melbourne suburbs. Melbourne's population of
over three million is made up of a variety of cultures, including Chinese,
Italian, Vietnamese, Lebanese and Greek, who have all added their touch to
this thriving city. A fierce rivalry exists between the cities of Melbourne
and Sydney, but local residents bask in the satisfying knowledge that
Melbourne beats Sydney hands-down on the cultural front, noted for its wide
variety of high standard performing arts, as well as its sport. The city
plays host to world-renowned sporting events like the Melbourne Cup,
Australian Open Tennis and Qantas Australia Grand Prix. Around the city,
within an hour's drive, there are numerous places worth visiting, including
the Macedon Ranges, which is Australia's spa capital with its world-renowned
mineral springs, as well as the spectacular Great Ocean Road along the
coast, which passes stunning rock formations such as the Twelve Apostles.
One of the most popular self-drive routes for tourists to follow is the
circular Great Southern Touring Route, which includes spectacular scenery
and takes in some of Victoria's most beautiful, scenic and cultural
attractions.
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