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Melbourne Facts |
Melbourne Overview |
Melbourne Tourist Attraction Melbourne Australia | Melbourne Location Map | Melbourne City Map |
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Geography: Melbourne is the epitome of a planned city where everything seems to be in place. The geological origin of the city is on the conflux of Quaternery flow of lava, Silurian mudstones and Holocene sand accumulation. The main city is known as the CBD or the Central Business District. The city is located near the Port Phillip Bay in the south – eastern part of Australian mainland. The Yarra River flows through the city with the important centers located around. The mountain ranges surrounding the city are the Dandenong Ranges and the Macedon ranges. The city of Melbourne is also dubbed as the Australian Dream because of the planning. Melbourne has a temperate climate and frequent weather changes. The summer temperatures reach 40 degrees with hot and dry conditions. In winter the coldest day can be only 4.4 degrees hot. Spring is the most comfortable time to be in the city.
History: The first settlers of the land were the aboriginals, the Kulins. Melbourne was founded during the rule of King William IV, in the year 1835. The Tasmanian villagers understood the growing need of land for trade and cultivation and set sail to the site of Melbourne city in search of new village. The year 1836 was important in the history of the city when it was declared the capital of the Port Philippe District by the Governor Bourke. Keeping in mind the quick economic growth, Queen Victoria declared Melbourne a city in the year 1847. Melbourne had become the capital of Victoria when Victoria was established as a colony in the year 1851. From the beginning the city has been a major trade center with Australia’s first stock exchange established in the year 1861. At present Melbourne has been able to draw sufficient amount foreign investments to meet the need of the growing population.
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Economy: The economy of Melbourne is booming with commercialization. Melbourne has the Australian head quarters of most of the multi – national corporations. As a result the sky scrapers are coming up fast. The main industries of Melbourne are the Automobile industry, manufacturing industries, Information Technology and most importantly Tourism. Tourism is the most important contributor to the annual revenues of Melbourne. IT is also a major industry with more than 60,000 people employed in this profession. In addition to that three of the most important industries of Australia have their headquarters in Melbourne, Telstra, BHP Billiton and the National Australia Bank.
Administration and Government: Australia is divided into a number of states and territories out of which Victoria is one. Melbourne is one of the capital cities of Australia.
The city of Melbourne is governed by the Melbourne City Council, which is headed by the Lord Mayor of Melbourne. At present the Mayor is John So, representing the greater Melbourne. Victoria is divided into 30 municipalities. Out of which Melbourne is one. The Council provides services to the residents in for which tax is levied. The state government of Victoria is also responsible for the administration of Melbourne.
- Arriving at Melbourne via the Tullamearine Airport is the most convenient way. The airport is 22 km away from the main city, which can be reached by taking a taxi or the Sky bus service. The Avalon airport presents a second option.
- Train journey is recommended only if the budget permits. The capital cities of the country have interstate rail service. The important stations in Melbourne are the Southern Cross Station and the Finders Station.
- Bus is for the budget travelers, the cheapest mode of transport in and around the city. Bus service is available from all the major cities and tourist attractions of Australia.
- From Davenport in Tasmania, two ferriestake you to Melbourne.
- Not forgetting the most important mode of local transport, the tram!
Society and Cultural Life: Melbourne, home to people from one hundred and forty nationalities, is always throbbing with life. According to a recent survey one of the cities which are the most livable cities of the world. You will never feel isolated as you go out to party. Sports and fashion rule the cultural life. All year round, sporting events are organized. The most popular is the Grand Prix Racing. The Moomba, the Melbourne Fringe Festival, the Melbourne Comedy Festival. The Swanston Street and the Bourke Street are the two most important streets in Melbourne where most of the parades and rallies are organized. The cultural life of Melbourne is centered on the Ballets, orchestras, car racing, football, tennis, music and dance. For film and book lovers, Melbourne holds the Melbourne International Film Festival and the Melbourne Writer’s Festival .You can also try you luck out at the Crown Casino . Gambling is one of the favorite leisure activities of the Australians. And, lastly, there is no missing out on the Melbourne Food and Wine Festival in the autumns!
Educational Institutions: Educational institutions in Melbourne are in abundance. Victoria’s oldest educational institutions for Law, Medicine and Music are in this city. They are all under the University of Melbourne. Apart from that the Monash University is another reputed institution. Other universities of importance are the La Trobe University, RMIT University and Deakin University. Out of the schools most of the private owned are catholic. They are under the Associated Public Schools of Victoria and the Associated Grammar Schools of Victoria. The public schools are very selective in their admission procedure and base the selection on where the family is located. This is good for maintaining the quality of the school.
Accommodation Options: There are hotels, hostels and inns in ranges and facilities that suit your needs and pocket.- For budget accommodation try out the backpacker’s hotels and hostels, like All Nation’s Backpackers Hotel, Carlton Hotel, Flinder’s Station Hotel in Central Melbourne. In the southern part of the city there are the Nomads Chapel St Backpackers, Jackson’s Manor and the Ritz for Backpackers.
- In the mid – range group there is the Atlantis Hotel California Hotel Rydges on Bell Preston Melbourne, and the Rydges Melbourne.
- For that sinful and luxurious experience there is the Park Hyatt Melbourne, the Hotel Lindrum and the Stamford Plaza Melbourne.
Food and Wine: The cultural diversity of Melbourne finds reflection on the culinary delights also. The cuisine includes everything from exotic to traditional. You have choice between Vietnamese, Italian and Spanish dishes. Wanyt to have a sip of hot freshly brewed coffee? Barista 101, Brunetti and Breadwell is the best options. For the complete dining experiences with south Yarra flavor you can try the Botanical. Apart from that there are Donovans, Ezard, Becco and Circa the Prince. Grab a bite and gulp it down with wine in popular hangouts like the Young and Jackson’s Hotel, Esplanade Hotel and The Elephant and the Wheelbarrow. Melbourne has a number of bars and pubs like the Section 8 and Madame Brussels. And last but not the least for the ultimate sweet experience you must go to Koko Balck, Cacao and Chocolatier.
Shopping: Melbourne is the shopper’s paradise with everything from cheap products to designer wear which you can chose from an array of shopping malls and arcades. The Federation Square is the place to shop, eat and gossip. If you are looking to decorate you home and willing to spend a little then look out or Dinosaur Designs. For a chocolate lover, the destination is Haigh’s. Feel the scent of a woman in Klien’s Perfumery. For a collection of indigenous arts and artifacts you can shop in Koorie Heritage Trust. Try out he music and books store in Carlton and Metropolis. For Australian and New Zealand Made products try out Alice Euphemia. The malls and arcades you can try out are Melbourne Central, Queen Victoria Village, Royal Arcade, Arts Center Market and many more.
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