Melbourne

Melbourne, the capital of Victoria and a cultural hub, is known for the good things in life - fashion, food, entertainment and sport. This is a city of style, architecture, trams, theatres and art.

Driving in from Melbourne’s airport one can’t help but be struck by this city’s innovative approach to style and design. The monolithic sculptures and roadways that greet you were developed as a design gateway to the city and indicate how seriously Melbourne takes its design and architecture.

Melbourne has mastered the art of mixing the old with the new. Gracious older buildings sit side by side dynamic new architecture. You can explore Melbourne’s rich history along the Golden Heritage Mile. The tour takes in Old Customs House, Parliament House, the Old Treasury, Windsor Hotel and other exquisite examples of 19th century architecture.

Melbourne is the centre of architectural adventure in Australia and this is evident in the brave new designs appearing in some of its newer developments.

The distinctive and striking design of Federation Square is one of

the most ambitious and complex projects ever undertaken in Australia. A fusion of arts and events, leisure, hospitality and promenading, it has changed the face of Melbourne.

The $A6 billion Docklands project is another massive development to look out for.

Some of the best interiors can be seen in boutique hotels such as the Como and the Hatton in South Yarra; the Adelphi and Hotel Lindrum in the city and the Prince of Wales in St Kilda.

For visual arts visit the National Gallery of Victoria, the Australian Centre for Contemporary Art. You’ll also find a host of other galleries specialising in contemporary, Australian and Aboriginal arts.

Both premier performing and visual arts are well represented in Melbourne. Several major venues act as focal points for the city’s social and cultural scene, and world-class festivals take top acts to the stage. The National Gallery of Victoria has the largest collection of European art in the antipodes. Victoria takes credit in ‘inventing’ Anglo-Australian art, through the Heidelburg School movement in the 19th century. For Australian Modernism, go to its birthplace at Heidi Museum of Modern Art.

Sports-mad Melbourne is home to world-famous events such as the Melbourne Cup, Australian Open Tennis and Australia Grand Prix. The biggest names in music and entertainment are also likely to come here first.