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Melbourne Region, Victoria

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Local Attractions

East Melbourne is an inner city suburb of Melbourne, located between the CBD, Jolimont and Richmond. Walk through the quiet residential streets to see some of Melbourne's largest and oldest Victorian homes and terrace houses. Explore the green expanse that is Treasury Gardens. Walk the extensive system of pathways that meander through the park and connect directly to the Fitzroy Gardens, or from the large embankment that runs the length of the gardens and offers extensive views. The garden’s fine lawns are a lunchtime retreat for many city workers, as well as being an ideal place for a picnic, barbecue or kick of the football.

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Attractions

  • Amusement and Theme Parks (1)
    1. Flymotion Action Zone Get active at 'The Action Zone' at WaterfrontCity, located in the the heart of the Docklands, Melbourne
  • Dining and Eating Out (11)
    1. BearBrass Eating & Drinking BearBrass is the freshest approach to eating and drinking in Melbourne. Situated on the river at Southgate Arts & Leisure Precinct on Southbank, BearBrass offers a social environment to suit all moods and occasions. Buzzy and informal, enjoy a simple stylish environment, service and contemporary menu right on the Yarra.
    2. Birrarung Marr Immerse yourself in Melbourne's Aboriginal heritage at Birrarung Marr, the city's newest parkland. Situated between Federation Square and the sports precinct of Rod Laver Arena and the MCG, the riverside park completes an almost continuous green belt around the city. The name Birrarung Marr is taken from the language of the Wurundjeri people, the original custodians of the land – birrarung means 'river of mists' and marr is 'side'. Wide open spaces and large sculptured terraces have been designed to host some of Melbourne's best events and festivals and they are also popular spots for a picnic. The park is home to the children's creative workshop Artplay, as well as some excellent permanent art installations. Proximities is a sound installation which lends a unique dimension to the William Barak Bridge. Pedestrians enter a sonic corridor of voice recordings of people from the 53 Commonwealth nations represented in Australia. Central to the work are the voices of the Wurundjeri people. Each person sings a traditional song from his/her background with the voices interwoven to create a continually shifting soundscape. Another arresting work is the Federation Bells - 39 bells programmed to play especially commissioned compositions several times daily.
    3. Collins Street (Paris End) Majestic and tree-lined, Collins Street is renowned for its style and glamour. The elegant boulevard is lined with grand heritage buildings built on the riches of the Victorian 19th-century gold rush, chic designer shopping, five-star hotels, exclusive jewelers, makers of fine chocolate, and private clubs. Shopping on leafy Collins Street means shopping for international labels, haute couture, high-end jewellery, fashion accessories and luxury goods at flagship stores including Chanel, Tiffany & Co., and Louis Vuitton. If you are a lover of fine footwear, head to 'shoe heaven' Miss Louise. Striking architecture can be found along the entire length of Collins Street, ranging from historic Gothic-style churches to Art Deco delights, and magnificent theatres.
    4. Colonial Tramcar Restaurant Our fleet of glossy, burgundy tramcar restaurants on wheels offer a truly delightful innovative approach to dining. As they cruise the streets of Melbourne, diners can enjoy the very best of Australian wines or make a selection of beverages from our fully stocked bar at a fully inclusive price.
    5. Fifteen Melbourne The first Fifteen restaurant in the Southern Hemisphere opened in Melbourne in September 2006 and immediately was the hottest dining ticket in town. The Naked Chef Jamie Oliver swept into town to launch Fifteen Melbourne, the fourth restaurant he has established to help underprivileged kids.
    6. Flower Drum Consistently lauded as the best Cantonese in Melbourne, Flower Drum is an icon of the Australian dining scene. The old-fashioned yet graceful surrounds are a perfect match for highly finessed dishes and impeccable service from a veritable army of waitstaff.
    7. Grossi Florentino Grossi Florentino was founded in 1900 and has an established reputation for fine Italian food.
    8. Taxi Dining Room Taxi Dining Room is housed in the upper levels of the ultra-modern Transport Hotel at Federation Square. Chef Michael Lambie teams up with Japanese chef Ikuei Arakane to create stunning Japanese-inspired dishes that are acclaimed for their simplicity of concept and complexity of flavour.
    9. The Mill Restaurant A haven of chic, the Mill adds a touch of class to Melbourne City s Hardware Lane. A converted warehouse, the Mill boasts exposed brick, dark wood and polished concrete fused with the luxury of soft leather and golden wallpaper. The Mill s al a carte menu is modern Australian with an Asian influence, using only the finest and freshest ingredients from local suppliers.
    10. Turf Bar & Restaurant Turf Bar is in the heart of cosmopolitan Melbourne at 131 Queen Street (corner Bourke).
    11. Vue de Monde Vue de monde chef Shannon Bennett's philosophy is to offer a dining experience that cannot be produced at home. Dedicated to the whole dining experience, from the sourcing of rare ingredients and an uncompromising approach to classical technique, Vue de monde embodies the very best in restaurant service right down to the crockery, cutlery and glassware.
  • Entertainment (5)
    1. Charlie's Bar A haven of chic, Charlie's Bar adds a touch of sophistication and class to Melbourne City's Hardware Lane precinct. Positioned between Little Bourke & Lonsdale Streets, Hardware Lane is a bustling cobbled laneway with a European feel and a charm all of its own.
    2. Chill On Ice Lounge & Ski Lodge Nothing works up a thirst quite like an Antarctic adventure deep in the heart of Melbourne.
    3. fortyfivedownstairs The vision for fortyfivedownstairs is to create a versatile, centrally located and affordable platform for visual arts and performance. As a not-for-profit venue, supported by its foundation patrons and sponsors, it has become a mini cultural powerhouse and rapidly established itself as one of Melbourne's most popular and respected venues for music, exhibitions, theatre and intellectual discussion.
    4. Her Majesty's Theatre Her Majesty's Theatre is Melbourne's home to the world's greatest musicals. Beautifully restored, HMT is a heritage listed lyric theatre that has been entertaining audiences for over 120 years.
    5. the Arts Centre The Arts Centre occupies a prime location in the heart of Melbourne's leisure and entertainment precinct and is home to Australia's premier performing arts companies.
  • Galleries, Museums and Collections (13)
    1. Australian Centre for the Moving Image (ACMI) Stories that transport you, ideas that transform you. Immerse yourself in the world of film, television and digital culture at ACMI in our stunning new free exhibition: Screen Worlds.
    2. City Museum at Old Treasury Melbourne The Old Treasury is regarded as one of the finest public buildings in Australia. Completed in 1862, it was the major government office in Melbourne throughout the 19th century, and second only to Parliament House as the centre of state affairs.
    3. Federation Square Federation Square opened in October 2002, as one of the most complex and ambitious construction projects ever undertaken in Australia. Comprising an entire city block the bold and audacious design is the work of Lab Architecture in conjunction with the Australian architects Bates Smart. A unique fusion of civic and cultural activities, Fed Square is recognised internationally as one of the world's great public spaces.
    4. Fire Services Museum of Victoria The Fire Services Museum was formed in 1972 by a small group of people with the aim of preserving Fire Brigade memorabilia for later generations to look back on. The Museum was a nomad society for sometime moving the ever growing collection to larger premises until they were offered permanent residence at the present site. This Museum is one of only a few in the world operating in an original Headquarter Fire Station, being the Eastern Hill Fire station.
    5. Genealogical Society of Victoria Access to the largest family history collection in Victoria
    6. Immigration Museum Over the last 200 years people have journeyed from all over the world to re-settle in Australia. Many have come seeking a better life, job opportunities or to escape conflict. The Immigration Museum, located in the heart of the city explores stories of people from all over the world who have migrated to Victoria.
    7. Koorie Heritage Trust Cultural Centre Can you imagine what life was like 60,000 years ago? Experience unique and exciting Aboriginal Culture of south-eastern Australia at the Koorie Heritage Trust Inc.
    8. National Gallery of Victoria The National Gallery of Victoria has two magnificent galleries located a short walk apart - both with free entry to the permanent collection. Victorians and our visitors can now enjoy two public art galleries within one magnificent arts precinct.
    9. RMIT Gallery RMIT Gallery is Melbourne's most vibrant public art and design gallery. It presents Melbourne's broadest and most unique exhibition program, exploring all aspects of visual culture.
    10. The Ian Potter Centre: NGV Australia The Ian Potter Centre: NGV Australia at Federation Square is the home of Australian art with superb collections of Australian Indigenous and non-Indigenous art from the Colonial period to the present day. With more Australian art on permanent display than any other gallery in the world, as well as special exhibitions and programs, cafes, a restaurant and new perspectives of the city through its glass matrix, NGV Australia is more than a great place to view art. It's a completely fresh approach that encourages people from all walks of life to enjoy the world of art within the new cultural heart of Melbourne.
    11. The Ian Potter Museum of Art The University of Melbourne's Ian Potter Museum of Art promotes itself as offering visitors - art, events and ideas. It stages engaging exhibitions, exciting programs to complement its exhibitions and special events. The Potter manages the University of Melbourne's Art Collection, the largest university collection in the country that includes historic and contemporary paintings, works on paper, decorative arts and sculpture. A large number of artworks are displayed in university buildings and in the campus grounds. The University is the recepient of generous bequests and donations and as a result has a strong representation of Australian art.
    12. The Johnston Collection The Johnston Collection incorporates The Johnston Collection House Museum and The Johnston Collection Gallery. The Johnston Collection House Museum boasts a collection of French and English furniture, ceramics, paintings and decorative arts, particularly rich in the Georgian and Regency periods and arranged in a domestic setting.
    13. The Museum of Chinese Australian History A living part of Melbourne's modern Chinatown, the Chinese Museum was brought into being in 1985 to document, preserve and display the history of Australians of Chinese descent.
  • Historical Sites and Heritage Locations (7)
    1. 19th Century Portable Iron Houses Three inner city houses in Coventry Street are among the few 19th century prefabricated iron buildings remaining in the world.
    2. City Circle Tram The distinctive burgundy and gold City Circle tram provides a free and convenient way to move around Melbourne, and passes a number of sights and attractions including NewQuay dining and entertainment precinct. It circles the CBD's perimeter, running along Flinders Street, Harbour Esplanade, La Trobe Street and Spring Street, a journey that takes nearly 50 minutes. Hop on and off the service and visit the Immigration Museum, Melbourne Aquarium, Melbourne Museum, Old Melbourne Gaol, and some of Melbourne's best city parks and gardens. Look out the window as you pass through the Docklands and see public art, the bay, West Gate Bridge and Telstra Dome sports and entertainment stadium. Trams run in both directions every 12 minutes from 10am–6pm seven days a week (except Christmas Day and Good Friday). The City Circle tram is not accessible for wheelchair users.
    3. Cooks' Cottage Eight reasons why you must visit Cooks' Cottage:
    4. Fitzroy Gardens Few cities can boast a garden as magnificent as Fitzroy Gardens so close to the city centre. Valued for its historic, aesthetic, architectural, and horticultural significance, the garden is classified by the National Trust and is definitely worth exploring. Originally set aside as a reserve in 1848, the garden is home to the historic Cook's Cottage, presented to the people of Victoria as a gift for the state's centenary in 1934. The cottage was transported from the Yorkshire village of Great Ayton, UK, where Captain James Cook, one of the first Europeans to chart Australia's coast, lived from 1736-45. The cottage's furnishings and garden have been faithfully recreated from the period. Other features of the gardens include the conservatory (1930) that houses magnificent floral displays, a fairy tree carved by writer Ola Cohn, a model Tudor village, as well as an array of statues and fountains.
    5. Government House Government House is the official residence of the Governor of Victoria, and is located in the precincts of the Botanical Gardens.
    6. Old Melbourne Gaol Crime & Justice Experience Victoria's first prison, the Old Melbourne Gaol is one of Melbourne's oldest surviving buildings. This imposing bluestone institution is where 136 people, including infamous bushranger Ned Kelly, were hanged.
    7. State Library of Victoria One of the world's great libraries, the State Library of Victoria is the state's premier reference and research library and a gateway to the world's information. The Library houses items that showcase Victoria's cultural life, past and present, and makes them available to the community through a range of services, exhibitions and cultural programs.
  • Landmarks and Buildings (4)
    1. Princess Theatre The Princess Theatre is a landmark Melbourne building dating from 1886. It has a facade as magnificent as any in the world and is undoubtedly a unique cultural asset to the city of Melbourne.
    2. Public Record Office Victoria Public Record Office Victoria (PROV) manages and archives records created by the Victorian State Government from the 1830s to today.
    3. Regent Theatre Noted for its opulence, the Regent Theatre embodies the glamour, fantasy and escapism of yesteryear.
    4. Shrine Of Remembrance Melbourne's most recognisable landmark, the Shrine of Remembrance, was built between July 1928 and November 1934 in remembrance of those 114,000 men and women of Victoria who served and those who died in the Great War of 1914-1918.
  • Markets (1)
    1. Queen Victoria Market Opened in 1878, the Queen Victoria Market is more than just Melbourne's shopping mecca. This 19th century market is a historic landmark, tourist attraction and an institution for all Melburnians.
  • National Parks and Reserves (3)
    1. Port Phillip Covering 1,950 square kilometres, Port Phillip is the entrance to Australia's busiest port and is one of Victoria's most popular recreational destinations. Every year millions of people enjoy its vast coastline, world-class swimming beaches and coastal parks. An entirely different perspective however is available to those who explore the Bay by boat. Island, shipwrecks and marine reserves dot the Bay, while scuba diving and fishing reveal the colourful diversity of the Bay's marine life.
    2. Westgate Park It is located along the eastern banks of the Yarra River under the Westgate Bridge offering spectacular views to the mouth of the Yarra and the city skyline.
    3. Yarra River A Melbourne icon, the river is the focus for numerous spectacular events including the famous Moomba festival, rowing regattas, the Melbourne Festival and Dragon Boat Festivals.
  • Parks and Gardens (2)
    1. Flagstaff Gardens Melbourne's first public gardens were established on the highest point of land in the city and hosted a signalling station that flagged the arrival of ships in the bay. Also known to early settlers as Burial Hill, the gardens were a pioneer burial site until the establishment of the Melbourne Cemetery in 1853. Today, Flagstaff Gardens feature picnic areas with barbecues, a playground, tennis, netball and volleyball courts and a walking path. The gardens are a popular lunchtime oasis for city workers and are adjacent to the Queen Victoria Market.
    2. Treasury Gardens Explore this wedge of lush greenery near Victoria's Parliament precinct on an extensive system of pathways that meander through the park. A large, elevated embankment runs the length of the gardens and offers extensive views and shady spots to sit and contemplate. The garden's fine lawns are a lunchtime retreat for many city workers, as well as being an ideal place for a picnic, barbecue or kick of the football. The gardens boast a monument to former US President John Kennedy, erected following his assassination, and an ornamental pond. At night, keep an eye out for native brushtail possums searching for food.
  • Scenic Drives and Walks (1)
    1. Capital & Country Touring Route The 109-kilometre Capital & Country Touring Route charts a course from Melbourne to Sydney via Canberra. Victoria's Goldfields region is home to well-preserved gold rush architecture and attractions, renowned regional art galleries with significant collections, and the histories town of Bendigo. Gold history and Chinese migration is explained at Golden Dragon Museum (home to the world's longest dragon), accommodation is available at grand historic hotels, and sidewalk cafés, art galleries and fine food, wine and antique stores line the streets. Central Deborah Gold Mine runs a one-hour tour of an operating mine, 60-metres underground, and The Bendigo Heritage Tram offers a travelling commentary of the town's major sights. Bendigo Pottery, Australia's oldest working pottery, has a sales gallery, interpretive museum and wheel throwing lessons. Echucha-Moama on the Murray River is a popular port town where paddle steamer tours and houseboats arrive and depart. The Murray is lined with golf courses, including the expansive 45-hole Yarrawonga and Border Golf Club and Corowa's superb 27-hole golf course, which rates in Australia's top 100. Rutherglen is one of Australia's oldest wine-growing regions and The Rutherglen Wine Experience & Visitor Information Centre is a good place to sample the region's famous fortifieds, tokays and muscats. The route crosses into New South Wales at Albury Wodonga is a thriving modern city. Canberra is Australia's capital and home to its national institutions, which explain and display Australia history, life and culture, and include National Gallery of Australia, National Museum of Australia, Parliament House and the War Memorial. The route ends in Sydney, home of Bondi Beach, the Sydney Opera House and the Sydney Harbour Bridge.
  • Shopping (7)
    1. Australia on Collins Australia On Collins is where Melbourne loves to shop. It is the centre for Melbourne style, a cosmopolitan shopping centre catering for every age, lifestyle need and taste. Located next to the Novotel Melbourne on Collins, there are over 60 specialty stores to choose from including fashion, homewares, gifts, health and beauty.
    2. e.g.etal: Contemporary Jewellery and Objects e.g.etal is a contemporary jewellery gallery showcasing the work of 40 of the leading Australian and New Zealand jewellery designers. On display in our beautiful Melbourne gallery is the best selection of contemporary engagement rings and wedding rings alongside cutting edge contemporary jewellery from emerging and established jewellery designers.
    3. Georges on Collins Georges, Est 1880: The finest place to shop in Melbourne.
    4. Madam Virtue & Co. One could easily be fooled into believing that once you've reached Madam Virtue & Co. in Melbourne, you've stepped into the very heart of a fashionable Parisian arrondisement.
    5. QV Fashion: QV is the heart of fashion in the city, with top national and international designers forming one of Melbourne's finest fashion destinations. QV's laneways make shopping an experience! Red Cape Lane has the latest in casual and street wear covered with Mooks, Hype DC, Stussy, Frat House and Fox, while Albert Coates Lane is QV's premium fashion strip including Christensen Copenhagen, Cactus Jam, Wayne Cooper, Zimmermann, Kam Otto, MNG, Hugo Boss Orange, Dizingof and Guess. Boasting world renowned boutiques, many Albert Coates Lane stores deliver fashion to Melbourne fresh from the catwalks of Milan and Paris, ensuring local shoppers are no longer a season behind Northern Hemisphere trends.
    6. Something Aussie Something Aussie will complete your memorable trip to Australia, so expect to be dazzled by Melbourne's largest Australiana concept store.
    7. The National Opal Collection The National Opal Collection (NOC) showrooms are Australia s finest opal centres, conveniently located in the heart of Sydney and Melbourne. Each venue features a museum, theatrette, opal mine and stunning opal showroom.
  • Sports and Recreation Facilities (1)
    1. Melbourne River Cruises TAKE ME TO THE RIVER!
  • Zoos, Sanctuaries, Aquariums and Wildlife Parks (1)
    1. Melbourne Aquarium Melbourne Aquarium is the newest and most state-of-the-art aquarium in Australia. Not to be missed is the 360 degree Oceanarium which houses giant sharks and stingrays - witness the incredible live feeding presentations held twice each day.

Events

  • Exhibitions and Shows (21)
    1. A building with a soul Phillip Hudson wrote of his design for the Shrine that it would be ... a building with a soul ... A temporary exhibition has been developed to celebrate the 75th Anniversary of the dedication of the Shrine in 1934.
    2. Australian Centre for the Moving Image Stories that transport you, ideas that transform you. Immerse yourself in the world of film, television and digital culture at ACMI in our stunning new free exhibition: Screen Worlds.
    3. Beautiful Woman Beautiful Woman exists to impact, inspire and equip women of varying ages, cultures and backgrounds to be all they can be.
    4. Burnt Memory Following a highly successful show in London last year, one of our best photographers, Lisa Tomasetti, will present in Australia her large-scale portraits in an exhibition entitled Burnt Memory at Gallery 101, Melbourne opening March 17.
    5. Car Club Showcase at Fed Square See your favourite cars up close and meet the proud owners at the Fed Square Car Club Showcase. On the last Sunday of every month car aficionados transform the Flinders St frontage of Federation Square into the most glamorous carpark in town. Classic cars one month, vintage the next and modern sports cars another. All lovingly restored and cared for.
    6. European Masters: Stadel Museum, 19th - 20th Century European Masters: Stadel Museum, 19th - 20th Century brings together a remarkable collection of masterpieces from the Stadel Museum in Frankfurt, one of the finest collections in Europe.
    7. Everyman Melbourne artist Craig Barrett has produced this exhibition of drawings in response to some of the finest poetry written in the First World War (1914-18). He has created Everyman for the Hall of Columns, where the drawings are suspended on the original foundation pillars of the Shrine.
    8. Flinders Lane Gallery The gallery has a number of different exhibitions coming up this year including:
    9. Fracture Gallery at Fed Square Accessible all year round, this unique exhibition space consists of twin parallel glass walls extending the full length of the Atrium, complimented by fractured glass shards and a web of cross bars. Curated by RMIT Gallery, the Fracture Gallery showcases the work of new and established local and international artists from around the globe.
    10. Guildford Lane Gallery About Guildford Lane Gallery
    11. HIA BuildGreen Expo Victorian householders and businesses are set to be offered the keys to creating a new era of sustainability.
    12. Indigenous Australians at War Indigenous Australians have served Australia in all major conflicts from the Boer War to the present. The armed services would provide the first experience of equal opportunity, although sadly not an enduring one. In this exhibition the Shrine celebrates the courage, tenacity and resourcefulness of Indigenous Australians in the armed forces.
    13. La Mirada Film Festival La Mirada Film Festival, Australia's most dynamic niche film festival, is set to return to the Australian Centre for the Moving Image (ACMI) from the 1st to the 11th of April 2010, presenting a rich and diverse program of feature films and documentaries that will showcase the best of classic Spanish language cinema and the most significant new works by budding talents of the contemporary Spanish language cinema scene.
    14. Law Week Law Week 2010
    15. Melbourne Winter Masterpieces 2010: Tim Burton Fresh from its inaugural showing at the Museum of Modern Art (MoMA) in New York, this brand new retrospective exhibition, showcasing the work of one of the film world's most creative minds, travels to ACMI as an Australian exclusive.
    16. Planetshakers Conference Planetshakers Conference is aimed at impacting and empowering people of all ages to be all they can be and to make a difference in their community.
    17. State of Design Festival The State of Design Festival is Victoria's peak design event, held 14-25 July 2010. The Festival covers many cross-disciplinary design agendas relating to the profession of design and the marketplace that it provides to.
    18. The Western Desert Campaign 1940-42 Incorporating contemporary portraits of veterans by artist Peter Wegner, this exhibition traces the progress of the 6th Division in North Africa, the first Australians to serve abroad in the Second World War (1939-45), and the 9th Australian Division in the Siege of Tobruk and later in the battle for El Alamein, where many lives were lost before the Germans were defeated.
    19. Threads of connection Embroidery and textiles from the First World War to the present Western Visitor Centre.
    20. Together Alone: Australian and New Zealand Fashion As close neighbours, Australia and New Zealand share common fashion ground. Opening in October, the National Gallery of Victoria will showcase eight independent fashion labels from the two countries in Together Alone: Australian and New Zealand Fashion.
    21. Victorian Microbreweries Showcase Meet the brewers. Enjoy their beer.
  • Festivals and Celebrations (25)
    1. 2010 Next Wave Festival Next Wave this year presents its 12th biennial festival, the 2010 Next Wave Festival.
    2. ANZAC Day at the Shrine The Dawn Service commences on the Shrine Forecourt at 6am. The ANZAC Day March along St Kilda Road starts at approximately 9am and concludes at the Shrine by 1pm for the Commemorative Service.
    3. Beer and Brewer Expo A celebration of all things beer is set for Melbourne when the Beer and Brewer Expo returns bigger and better in May. The annual event will be held at Federation Square this May, with the continued support of major sponsor, Dan Murphy's.
    4. Buddha's Day and Multicultural Festival Proudly presented by Fo Guang Shan Melbourne (FGS) and Buddha s Light International Victoria (BLIA VIC), Buddha s Day and Multicultural Festival is a truly unique annual event which celebrates Melbourne s diverse multicultural society.
    5. Craft Cubed Festival Presented by Craft Victoria the annual Craft Cubed festival promotes experimental, skilled and ideas-based craft and design. It will provide a platform for conversation and exchange across all spectrums of the craft and design communities. A key feature of the event is the thematic linking of current craft trends among local, national and international practitioners.
    6. Fed Square Laughter Club Join in a 30-minute laughter session at Federation Square at 11:00am on the 1st Sunday of each month.
    7. Little Big Shots Get square eyes with films for kids, about kids, and some even by kids, to amaze and delight kids. Kids of all ages flock to Melbourne's International Kids Film Festival, Little Big Shots, to laugh, whoop, think and create.
    8. Melbourne Food and Wine Festival 2010 Melbourne Food and Wine Festival is the largest celebration of its kind anywhere in the world. From 12 23 March, 2010, Melbourne and Victoria will burst with hundreds of flavoursome food and wine events.
    9. Melbourne Fringe Festival Melbourne Fringe celebrates the fresh, the innovative and the ground-breaking in all aspects of the arts. It is the most exciting explosion of independent creativity that Melbourne sees each year. If you want to take the pulse of one of Australia's most culturally engaged cities, this is the time and place to do it.
    10. Melbourne International Animation Festival Get ready to strap yourselves in for a seven day blast of exceptional local and international animation in the 10th edition of the Melbourne International Animation Festival!
    11. Melbourne International Arts Festival Since first being staged in 1986 as the third Spoleto Festival (with Spoleto, Italy, and Charleston, USA), Melbourne Festival quickly forged a unique identity and remains the only festival in Australia to be born from international heritage.
    12. Melbourne International Comedy Festival This coming March looks totally foolish with the 2010 Melbourne International Comedy Festival rolling from the 24th of March until the 18th of April the greatest comedy caper in the Southern Hemisphere.
    13. Melbourne International Film Festival The Melbourne International Film Festival (MIFF) is an iconic Melbourne event with a devoted audience. MIFF hosts a feast of cinematic delicacies from over 50 countries for some 17 days each winter, heavily garnished with a range of parties and special events that envelop the CBD. In addition to screening the very best in world cinema, MIFF is Australia's largest showcase of new Australian cinema and most vocal champion of both emerging and established local filmmaking talent.
    14. Melbourne International Jazz Festival With more than 55 events over seven days and nights, this year's Festival was a true celebration of the riches of jazz. The unparalleled 2009 Melbourne International Jazz Festival included six world-premieres and ten Australian premieres with a rich program to delight everyone from dedicated jazz enthusiasts to families and first-time concertgoers.
    15. Melbourne Legacy Children's Day School students of Victoria pay their respects to the ex-service community in the lead up to ANZAC Day. Legacy provides care for widows and children of veterans.
    16. Melbourne Queer Film Festival It s a queer, queer, queer, queer world and Melbourne will be its epicentre from March 17 to 28 when the 20th Melbourne Queer Film Festival takes over the town. Over 12 days an estimated 25,000 film lovers will watch over 140 gender bending films from around the world.
    17. Melbourne Writers Festival The Melbourne Writers Festival brings together 250 writers from overseas, nationally and locally, for a ten day feast of ideas, debate, readings, discussions and interviews.
    18. Monthly Wreath Laying Service Monthly Remembrance Services are held in honour of all units no longer able to make the pilgrimage to the Shrine. The service is held in the Sanctuary of the Shrine.
    19. N Class Destroyers This service commemorates those who served with the Royal Australian Navy on the five N Class Destroyers during the Second World War. It takes place in the Sanctuary of the Shrine.
    20. Polish Festival @ Federation Square The aim of the Polish Festival is to bring not only Polish dance but also the unique beauty, flavours and melodies of Poland to Melbourne, transforming the most prominent landmark in our CBD into a showcase of a vibrant, 1000-year-old culture in which hospitality and festivity play an integral role. The Festival has something to delight every person and every sense. The square's main stage is a hub of music, colour and animation throughout the day as traditional Polish dances are performed by both adults and children. Down along the Yarra's River Walk, the nose and tastebuds are brought into play as various stalls serve up the classics of Polish cuisine, including mouth-watering kie&*322;basy (sausages), pierogi (dumplings filled with combinations of pork, beef, mushrooms, cabbage and secret herbs that only Polish grandmothers can pronounce), bigos (hunter's stew that tradition says tastes better after three days, but never actually lasts past the day of creation!) and p&*261;czki (doughnuts with a variety of fruit, creme or even rose-petal jam fillings). There's plenty to keep the kids occupied too, including face-painting and mask-making, at the free all-day Kids Stop. And for the parents, a shaded beer garden provides the perfect space to relax and enjoy the flavours of Poland's world-famous vodka and beer. The Festival also has plenty to satisfy the shopping bug, with an abundance of merchandise on offer including books, clothes, fashion accessories, Christmas decorations and travel packages, much of it unique to the Festival. Perhaps most enticing is the range of elegant amber jewellery, crafted in Poland and renowned worldwide for its beautiful honey colour and calming properties. All this comes together to create a memorable day that allows you to experience the lively, Old World centre of Europe just by taking a short trip from home.
    21. Returned Indigenous Service Men & Women This service honours all Indigenous returned service men and women. It takes place on the Shrine Forecourt.
    22. Summer By The Sea 2010 Coast Action/Coastcare's annual activity program Summer by the Sea is now underway! Come along and learn about all things marine and coastal in Victoria by joining in one of 250 activities held right along our coast.
    23. Thai Culture and Food Festival Come and join the Thai Community as they celebrate and showcase their rich and historical culture:
    24. The Light in Winter In 2010 Federation Square gives us another bright reason to rug up and head for the city. Directed by Robyn Archer, The Light in Winter is a light-based festival that brings together artists, designers and communities to explore their ideas of light, enlightenment and hope.
    25. Victorian Wine Regions Showcase Series at Fed Square Fed Square Wine Showcase
  • Markets (4)
    1. Fed Square Book Market Love books? Join Melbourne's bibliophiles at the city's largest weekly book market in The Atrium at Fed Square. Held each Saturday from 11am to 5pm the Market continues Melbourne's fine literary tradition, featuring books from a variety of leading new and second hand booksellers covering a diverse range of genres.
    2. Markets in the Garden The Gardens Markets are on again at the Royal Botanic Gardens!
    3. Queen Victoria Market Cooking School Celebrate the beautiful, fresh, seasonal produce of Queen Victoria Market. At the Electrolux Cooking School, chefs, cookery authors and culinary professionals from Victoria and interstate conduct cooking classes in a range of cuisines, styles and techniques.
    4. The Arts Centre Sunday Market At the Arts Centre Sunday Market there is an endless array of one-of-a-kind gift ideas. With over 150 stalls under cover, you can shop until you drop no matter what the season.
  • Performances (13)
    1. Comedy@Spleen Every Monday, Comedy@Spleen is the city's FREE weekly comedy hotspot, with a packed room every week! It's every Monday night starting at 8.30pm.
    2. FAME - The Musical Seen by over 10 million people worldwide!
    3. Ghost Seekers Tour The main purpose of Ghostseekers Australia is to conduct paranormal investigations, with a view to rationalising results using scientific evaluation and an open mind.
    4. Hangman Nights at the Gaol Michael Gateley was Melbourne's most prolific and brutal hangman. Join him and experience Australia's most haunted building by candlelight if you dare!
    5. JERSEY BOYS - The story of Frankie Valli & The Four Seasons Broadway's multi award-winning smash hit musical JERSEY BOYS - The story of Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons is currently rocking the Princess Theatre, Melbourne. JERSEY BOYS is the story of how four boys from the wrong side of the tracks became one of the biggest American pop music sensations of all time.
    6. Jungle Book: The Concert Show From the producer of The Wind in the Willows comes an exciting new interactive adventure. Inspired by the "Jungle Book" stories, Mowgli and Baloo tell the tale of growing up in the jungle through delightful, fun songs in this concert style production.
    7. Late Night Impro Polish up your martini glasses and join Impro Melbourne for the debonair wit of Late Night Impro, now in its 12th consecutive season at the Melbourne International Comedy Festival.
    8. MAMMA MIA! Over 40 million people all around the world have had the time of their lives and fallen in love with the characters, the story and the music that make MAMMA MIA! the ultimate feel-good show!
    9. MARY POPPINS MARY POPPINS - THE SUPERCALIFRAGILISTIC MUSICAL
    10. Opera Australia - Season 2010 Opera Australia 2010: The Power of the Voice
    11. Opera in the Market In 2010 Boston Kennedy Executive Search and Selection presents Opera in the Market. With proceeds supporting St Vincent's Hospital this will be another great performance by Australian Music Events.
    12. Tai Chi at Fed Square Start each week feeling refreshed, rejuvenated and energised with Tai Chi, the Chinese martial art that promotes health and relaxation. Join expert instructors from Tai Chi Australia for a free class in The Square every Tuesday morning. Exercise your mind, body and soul in this inspiring location.
    13. Victorian Opera Victorian Opera's 2010 season is an extraordinary mix of compelling and enticing productions with four full operatic works, two concerts and two new Australian commissions. Each opera in the season deals with an aspect of woman- the woman betrayed, adored, scorned, the woman as schemer, as conqueror, the woman disconsolate and the woman as winner. For the 2010 season Victorian Opera introduces ballet star Steven Heathcote as the director of Handel's Julius Caesar, once again joins forces with Malthouse Theatre in a co-production of The Threepenny Opera, and continues to bring new and surprising work to Victorian audiences, including two brand new Australian commissions, The Parrot Factory and The Cockatoos.
  • Sporting Events (5)
    1. 2010 FORMULA 1(TM) Australian Grand Prix The 2010 FORMULA 1(tm) Australian Grand Prix is the country's premier sporting event and offers an action-packed extravaganza of on-track and off-track activities for people of all ages to enjoy.
    2. 3 MOBILE Boxing Day Test The traditional Boxing Day Test at the MCG is the most anticipated cricket match each year in world cricket and this year will be no exception.
    3. Australian Corporate Games National multi-sport event for businesses and organisations. Now in its 18th year attracting 10,000 participants from 300 organisations over three days at venues in and around Melbourne.
    4. Australian Football League Finals Series Don't miss the spectacular crescendo of 22 weeks of fantastic competition in the 2010 AFL Finals Series.
    5. Mothers Day Classic Make Mother's Day a special celebration in 2010 by joining more than 90,000 people nationwide in the Mother's Day Classic to raise money for breast cancer research.

Tours

  • Full Day (5)
    1. A Tour With A Difference About us
    2. Australian Pacific Touring Discover Victoria in Style
    3. ChauffeurDrive ChauffeurDrive is the way to travel in Victoria. We provide Limousine and Stretched Limousine tours for groups of four or more. Reward yourself with a trip that stays in your mind and pictures forever.
    4. Chillout Travel Winery Tours Discover the scenic Yarra Valley or Mornington Peninsula only one hour from Melbourne on a guided winery tour. Visit some of the best wineries including the famous Domaine Chandon and Enjoy great wine, great food and a great day out...
    5. Melbourne Sports Tours Melbourne Sports Tours offers an in-depth knowledge of Melbourne and its sporting culture using personal, guided tours. Explore behind the scenes of Melbourne's world class sporting venues & the games we play.
  • Half Day (4)
    1. Hidden Secrets Tours Have you ever been to a city, and wondered what all the fuss was about, or wasted your precious time, looking for that amazing shop, or bar, or view you read about, only to waste the whole day and miss everything!?
    2. Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) Tour The Melbourne Cricket Ground has been the scene of many great sporting events, as well as many 'firsts' in Australian sporting history.
    3. Photography Made Easy Welcome to Photography Made Easy (PME) my name is Martin Bonnici. I've been working as a professional photographer since 1992. I have a vast and very broad background in professional photography for magazines and stock agencies as well as privet client's world wide.
    4. TourWorks TourWorks is the best walking Tour Company in Melbourne. We offer a number of walking tours in the Caity of Melbourne that include laneways, market and bar tours. For such a young city, Melbourne has packed much into such a short period to become one of the world's great cities.
  • Night (1)
    1. Haunted Melbourne Ghost Tour As seen on TV's Great Outdoors, Postcards, Coxy's Big Break & Tokyo Broadcasting System's Sekai Fushigi Hakken "Amazing World Discoveries". Come face to face with Melbourne's haunted past on an informative, fun-filled two hour historical walking tour conducted by Haunted Australia TV presenter, Drew Sinton. Spooky fun! Tour established 1997.

Visitor Information

  • Visitor Information Centres (4)
    1. City Ambassadors For assistance with directions, public transport enquiries, events and general questions about Melbourne, keep and eye out for our City Ambassadors roving the streets of Melbourne in their distinctive red uniforms.
    2. Melbourne Greeter Service The Melbourne Greeter Service is a free 2-4 hour walking orientation of the city for visitors and tourists. The service is offered seven days a week (excluding Good Friday and Christmas Day) at 9.30am departing from the Melbourne Visitor Centre at Federation Square. Orientations are conducted in a number of languages.
    3. Melbourne Visitor Booth The Melbourne Visitor Booth, located in the Bourke Street Mall, is a great place to find information on shopping, attractions and events, as well as maps of the city.
    4. Melbourne Visitor Centre When visiting Melbourne, make the Visitor Information Centre at Federation Square your first stop. The Melbourne Visitor Centre (MVC) is a one-stop shop for all visitor information needs. Look for the distinctive yellow 'i' on blue background sign. The Visitor Information Centre has everything you need to get the best out of your stay -MVC staff and volunteers are happy to provide comprehensive information and advice on what to see and do in Melbourne and across Victoria, so please visit and discover the best of what we have to offer.
East Melbourne East Melbourne East Melbourne Station Pier - Port Melbourne South Melbourne Market Show previous image in slideshow Show next image in slideshow

Our Local Highlights

  • The Royal Botanic Gardens: The Royal Botanic Gardens Melbourne is home to both amazing and diverse plant collections such as camellias, rainforest flora, succulents and cacti, roses, Californian species, herbs, perennials, cycads and plants from Southern China.The Gardens also provide a natural sanctuary for native wildlife such as the black swans, eels, bell birds, cockatoos and kookaburras. A popular attraction is The Ian Potter Foundation Children’s Garden.
  • Scienceworks: With such a stunning range of themed exhibitions and interactive scientific displays, Scienceworks is sure to enthrall and entertain the kids for hours.
  • Melbourne 360 - the Melbourne Observation Deck at Rialto: Offering spectacular 360 degree views from the top of the renowned Rialto building, right in the very heart of the city, this Melbourne landmark is a must see experience.
  • Melbourne Aquarium: Melbourne Aquarium is the newest and most state-of-the-art aquarium in Australia. Not to be missed is the 360 degree Oceanarium which houses giant sharks and stingrays – witness the incredible live feeding presentations held twice each day.
  • Funfields: Funfields is fast becoming Melbourne’s favourite Family Fun Park and it is located only 40 kilometres from the Melbourne CBD.
  • Melbourne Zoo: Be filled with awe and wonder as you explore the award-winning Melbourne Zoo. With more than 300 species of animals from all over the world, you won’t believe that you’re only 4km from the central business district.
  • Old Melbourne Gaol: Home to Australia's oldest prison, historic Magistrates' Court and former Police City Watch House, Russell Street has been at the heart of crime, law and order in Melbourne since the 1840s. Most of Australia’s infamous characters, including Ned Kelly and notorious gangster Squizzy Taylor have spent time within the walls of this precinct. Step back in time and walk the road to the gallows in a 19th century prison, be arrested in a modern-day Police Station or put yourself on trial in court. A ticket to the Old Melbourne Gaol Crime & Justice Experience grants you visiting rights to the past, present and future of crime and justice in Australia.
  • The Queen Victoria Market: The Queen Victoria Market has been the favourite fresh food destination for Melbournians for 130 years. The Market is probably best known for its huge variety of fresh produce. Almost 50% of the Market area is dedicated to the sale of fresh produce, including fresh fruits and vegetables, meat, chicken, seafood and delicatessen products.
  • Shopping! in the CBD: Whether you’re after high fashion or fine art, Melbourne’s ever evolving shopping choices make it difficult to decide where to start your spree. Explore Melbourne Central, discover the QV and GPO precincts and lose yourself in laneways and arcades. Boutiques, Major Retailers, Specialty Stores....Melbourne has it all.
  • Crown Casino: The thrill of the gaming floor, the glamour of the nightlife, the sumptuous dining, the remarkable shopping and the friendly service come together at Crown to create one of Melbourne's most exciting entertainment experiences.
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