A Mixed Bag of Marvels: Melbourne

Melbourne, the queen-city tears through the evening with its contrasting star-lit spires which complements the golden hue of the horizon. The city is regarded as the cultural capital of Australia featuring Victorian-era architecture, many museums and beautiful gardens, but what makes Melbourne unique is its weather which can change drastically and so quickly that it is also called ‘the city of four seasons in a day’. Travelers from around the world flock to Melbourne to catch up with major sporting events and exploring the surrounding regions.

Melbourne is the second-largest city in Australia and the capital of the south-eastern state of Victoria, located at the head of Port Phillip Bay. The sports-crazy city boasts of a multicultural population comprising of Greeks, Vietnamese, Italian, Jewish and others. Melbourne is full of tourist attractions and is indeed one of remaining few cities in the world which still have trams running right through the roads. While you take a ride through the city streets, you may spot the remaining Victorian-era building among the modern high-rises. Melbourne has one of the world’s largest casinos, named the Crown Casino and there’s Albert Park which is home to Melbourne’s F1 Grand Prix circuit and you surely won’t want to miss that much of a speed. For travelers who love to dip their taste buds on culinary delicacies, Melbourne presents an abundance of affordable, high quality restaurants offering almost every cuisine.

Adventure lovers can have a whale of a time in Melbourne with a visit to the Grampians National Park which is famous for its hiking trails, wildlife and wildflowers. It’s perhaps the best place where you can spot Kangaroos right across the road when they come to feed. If you are lucky enough and have decent eyesight, you might as well spot the endangered koalas. Though some luck might come in handy! A trip to the Phillip Island presents a delightful view the penguin parade in all its grandeur. St. Kilda is Melbourne’s beachside suburb and is immensely popular. The photogenic nature of Melbourne couldn’t have gone unnoticed and for sure, it’s one of the most popular filming locations in the world. Going around Melbourne is easy and cheap with car rentals, but some people actually find it interesting to roam around Melbourne by cycling and they do come cheap!

Accommodation in Melbourne is excellent which ranges from budget hotels to mid-range to luxurious hotels in and around the city. The City Center houses some of the best budget and luxurious

hotels in Melbourne but travelers can also look for cheaper options in the seaside suburb of St. Kilda.