Australia - Melbourne

It's known as Australia's cultural capital and locals will soon tell you it's been voted the world's most desirable place to live. And why shouldn't it be? Its grand architecture, clattering trams and palm-filled parks give Victoria's state capital a European flavour that visitors are inclined to fall in love with.

Home to just over three million, Melbourne is all about the good things in life - food, fashion, entertainment, art, sport and leisure.

The shopping and nightlife are among the best in Australia and the events calendar is always full - with everything from festivals and theatre to sporting fixtures like the Boxing Day cricket test at the famous Melbourne Cricket Ground.

The Yarra River runs through the city, connecting parks and public gardens with sports and entertainment centres, before arriving at Port Phillip Bay, where the Spirit of Tasmania berths between trips across Bass Strait.

Head east through King's Domain and you can walk or cycle for kilometres along the banks of the river without any sense of being in a great city. The roads that skirt the river are bordered by parks, including the Royal Botanic Gardens, and sporting, entertainment and cultural centres.

With so much of Melbourne's population coming from Europe in the post war years, it's no surprise to find about 75 ethnic cuisines in the city's 3000-plus restaurants! Whole streets are dedicated to food from all over the globe. Don't pass up the opportunity to savour the locally-grown wines, though.

If you take fashion seriously, you'll be in good company in Melbourne. Flamboyant and funky, quietly classic or big-name label - it's all here.

Bring the family and you'll find Melbourne a friendly place full of outdoor adventures, interactive museums and galleries, and wide open spaces that invite you to picnic or play.

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Must do in Melbourne

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