Destination Melbourne
Egalitarian, cosmopolitan and oh-so-cool, Melbourne has a passionate soul and intellectual fervor that makes it a truly global experience. From the cultural and artistic wonderland of Federation Square to balloon rides above the city, and toothy smiles from sharks at Melbourne Aquarium, the city offers a moment for every mood.
Located in the Asia Pacific time zone, Melbourne is ideally placed between the East and the West - providing a time zone bridge that links the closing of the US markets and the opening of the European markets. With regular appearances in “The Economist’s” ‘Most Livable Cities’ list, it has a right to be boastful, despite being referred to as Australia’s oft-ignored but second largest city.
There are so many attractions in Melbourne that one can go there any time of the year and still return fully satisfied. Visitors are amazed by the unique sightseeing and entertainment experiences that are available within a short stroll, tram, train or taxi ride of the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Center and the city’s 30,000 hotel rooms. The city also reveals its soul at the street level. apart from the chocolates you can chomp on, you can also go on thematic walking tours, with themes ranging from jazz to Melbourne’s gold rush history. Or you can gain insight into the city’s obsession with the Australian Gallery of Sport, housed within Australia’s most hollowed sporting venue, the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG).
There is also no dearth of things to do in Melbourne’s city center. You can wander through art galleries, tour historic sites along the ‘Golden Mile Heritage Trail’, experience the living Australian Forest and indigenous display at the Melbourne’s Museum or maybe take a leisurely cruise along the Yarra River past Southgate and the Docklands. Melbourne is also recognized as the ‘Food Capital’ of Australia and renowned for its shopping centers. The city has hordes of designer stores - the exclusive boutiques of Chapel Street; and bargain hunting in the buzzing atmosphere of the Queen Victoria Market are a must see. And when wandering in the city, peer down almost any lane way and catch a glimpse of the ’secret Melbourne’ - a place of edgy art, hidden bars and cutting-edge design.
You are also just minutes away from those famous sandy beaches or anyone of the beautiful parks or gardens sprinkled around the city. If someone likes country side, then you are hours away from the wine country, old gold mining towns, snowfields and world famous surf coast.You can also visit the ski fields in winter, the Mornigton Peninsula in summer, Bellarine Peninsula and Victorian Pyrenees during any time of the year. Or you can join the excited throng watching the famous Fairy Penguins march out of the sea as dawn breaks.
Daylesford, the Victoria’s spa capital is very close to Melbourne. There are also thousands of pubs in small towns and one can experience the real Australia in any of those. You can also head down the majestic Great Ocean Road to see monolithic Twelve Apostles rock formations.
Taken from Profit Magazine (with a little modification) written by Sumitra Senapaty