Melbourne – a touch of class
by
Jenny Brewer
Melbourne is the trendy metropolitan city of Australia. Known for its cafes, restaurants, stylish shopping and shows, it is an excellent location for a driving holiday with magnificent scenery and attractions all within an hours drive of the city centre.
Victorias capital promises to keep you fascinated from dawn to way past dusk. In the heart of the city, visit the lush Royal Botanic Gardens, popular for a quick lunch or stroll. Federation Square is a meeting place which has become a well known landmark within the city, and Brunswick Street is known for its eclectic cafs, shops and atmosphere. You also cant miss the extensive Melbourne Museum which displays some of the best art, sculptures and technology this city has to offer.
In summer there are free programmes organised in the parks and gardens of Melbourne for people of all ages. The fun in the sun programme encourages everyone to get outdoors and enjoy a picnic and some activities together.
Maybe you could plan your stay to coincide with the Royal Melbourne Show, held 20-30 September each year? The show is Victorias largest public event with rides, fantastic food,rural displays and of course, plenty of showbags.
How could you visit Melbourne without shopping? The Queen Victoria Market will keep you captivated with its myriad of stalls and food halls. You can catch a tram or walk here from the centre of the city. There are also shopping spree tours, of course, which will take you to the best bargains. Why not end your spree with a trip to the Rialto Towers, the tallest office building in the city? A small charge gives you a tour guide and one of the most incredible panoramic views of Melbourne.
For a touch of class, board a dinner and cabaret cruise on the Yarra River, or dress up for an opera or show at the Melbourne Arts Centre. The busy restaurants, clubs and shows bring the city to life at night.
If you want to stay a while longer in the city, there is every type of accommodation you could imagine. From five star in the centre of the city to bed and breakfast such as Treetops at Blackburn.
Just ninety minutes drive from Melbourne, Philip Island offers a rare opportunity to see fairy penguins at play as you watch the ‘Penguin Parade’. Sunsets are also exciting as guided tours are available to watch the penguins march. There is plenty of wildlife in this nature reserve. The fur seals will steal your heart at Seal Rocks, as will the cuddly koalas at the Koala Conservation Centre. There is a fantastic walk along Philip Islands headland that gives you breathtaking views plus a look at the Pinnacles which are unique rock formations off the coast.
Journeying on, the scenery keeps getting better with natural beauty such as Wilsons Promontory National Park at the most southern end of Australia, featuring long white beaches and incredible wildlife.
The Great Ocean Road would have to be one of the most scenic drives in Australia, with 300 kilometres of winding roads which stretch from the headlands to beach views and rainforests. It is absolutely fantastic for a self drive holiday as there are so many places to stop and admire the views. It is most famous for its Twelve Apostles. These giant limestone rocks have been formed over the years by the pelting waves, and are best admired at sunset as the colours change before your eyes.
If you love adventure and rugged scenery, there are plenty of exhilarating moments waiting for you further out from the city. The Grampians are three hours drive west of Melbourne, and are especially stunning in Spring when almost 1000 species of flower are blooming.
There is also Mt Buller, famous for its accessible ski fields and resorts. Mansfield Caravan and Camping Ground is the most popular place to stay if you are going to stay here for a while. With view of the mountains in the distance its a great place to relax after a day of adventure.
With so many sights and dynamic attractions, it is hard to know where to start. Depending on your tastes you can sit at a caf admiring views of the city skyline and enjoy watching the world go by, or you can set off to explore the wonders of the surrounding areas. One thing is sure, Melbourne will capture your heart and call you back again and again.
Jenny Brewer is a travel agent whose passion is writing. After spending her leisure time writing time writing childrens stories, she now enjoys writing about travel destinations. For more of her articles visit
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