Melbourne (map) is the second largest city and the cultural capital of Australia, with Victorian-era architecture, extensive shopping, museums, galleries, theatres, and large parks and gardens.
The capital of the south-eastern state of Victoria, and located at the head of Port Phillip Bay, Melbourne is a magnet for migrants from all over the world, and consistently ranks as one of the world’s most livable cities.
Melbourne has a very large metropolitan area, but most sights of interest are within the city centre, and most of the rest can be reached within about 20 minutes on the train or tram.
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Chinatown (map) – the longest continuous Chinese settlement in the Western World and third oldest Chinatown in the world, features numerous restaurants, museums and cultural attractions.
SEA LIFE Melbourne Aquarium (map) – contains a variety of exhibits showcasing marine wildlife found in the Southern Ocean and the Antarctic.
National Gallery of Victoria (map). Australias oldest, largest and most visited art museum, housing works by Rembrandt, Claude Monet, Australian Impressionists and featuring the famed Melbourne Winter Masterpieces series.
Federation Square (map) – A venue for arts, culture and public events on the edge of the city-centre. Also a common meeting place and close to the major transport hub and tourist attraction of Flinders Street railway station (map).
Queen Victoria Market (map). The largest open air market in the Southern Hemisphere, first opened in 1869.
Southbank Promenade (map) and Southgate Restaurant and Shopping Precinct is one of Melbourne’s major entertainment precincts.
CBD Shopping – Shopping across the city-centre of Melbourne, including shopping centres, streets and arcades such as Emporium Melbourne (map), Melbourne Central Shopping Centre (map), Bourke Street Mall (map), Royal Arcade (map), St. Collins Lane (map).
Public Transport Victoria / night network
Mobile apps are available for iOS and Android devices; Google Maps also integrates train, tram and bus information.
Myki – is the reloadable smartcard used for all travel on trains, trams and buses.
Yarra Trams >> *Trams in Melbourne.
Travel on all trams in the city centre is free. The boundary of the Free Tram Zone is marked with plenty of signage, but remember to touch on at the start of your journey if you plan to leave the FTZ on that journey. This is in addition to the City Circle tram (Tram Route 35), a free tourist tram in the city centre, which runs past many major sights in historical trams.
BUS > Firefly Express • Greyhound.
RAIL > Southern Cross Station (map) – Melbourne regional rail hub. Operators – V/Line • NSW Trainlink • The Overland.
AIRPORTS > Melbourne Airport is 22 km north-west of the City Centre • Avalon Airport is a mainly domestic airport 55 km south-west of Melbourne
WATERWAYS > Spirit of Tasmania