Melbourne

1. The Central Business District or CBD lies in the heart of the city and is known as a paradise for sightseeing, shopping and for food lovers. It houses famous local attractions, shopping complexes and many popular cafes and restaurants. 

2. Fitzroy and Collingwood are where the 'cool kids' of Melbourne stay. These neighbourhoods are known for live music, trendy cafes, street art, sunny picnics and souvenir shopping. Families generally don't find a lot to do in these two areas.

3. Carlton adjacent to the CBD is where food enthusiasts, especially those into Italian cuisine love to spend their days. Known as a mini Italy within Melbourne, this neighbourhood has fantastic dining options and some cultural sightseeing spots to round it off.

4. St. Kilda is sunny Melbourne at its best. With the beaches, palm trees and the best panoramic bay views, this is where tourists go seeking a classic beachside vacation in Melbourne. It is great for families, backpackers, couples, music lovers and has plenty to offer without breaking the bank.

Popular nightclubs include Co, and Therapy Nightclubs in Southbank, the Emerson in South Yarra, and Chaise Lounge in the CBD.

• The shopping culture in Melbourne is widespread, with local and international boutiques and brands, small souvenir shops, and bustling market streets.
• Queen Victoria Market, to name one, is the biggest market in the entire southern hemisphere.
• Other places to shop include the Bourke Street Mall, Chadstone shopping complex, Brunswick street, and Melbourne station.

• Foreign exchange companies such as Travel Money Oz, Raffles Forex, UAE Exchange, The Change Group and United Currency Exchange offer currency exchange in Melbourne.
• Travellers can withdraw money straight from the ATM as well.
• It is best to enquire about international charges on your card from your bank first.

• Tipping in Melbourne is not obligatory. Tipping for good service is a common practice in the city, and the amount of the tip, or even tipping at all, is totally at your discretion.
• A lot of the popular restaurants and cafes are always crowded. So be sure to book your table well in advance before your visit.
• Taking guided tours of the city is the best way to learn about the culture, history and quirky facts and hidden gems about the city. 
• Melbourne is an expensive city but it has many free things to do as well.

English is the first and official language in Melbourne. You will find a small population of European language speakers such as Greek and Italian, and the number of Mandarin speakers has also been on the rise.

Although the area around the city shows signs of habitation nearly 30000 years old, the history of Melbourne city began only as recently as 1835. The Hoddle Grid, the oldest neighbourhood of the city, was laid down in 1837, and the city was named Batmania after John Batman, its founder. The name 'Melbourne' was given to the city later in the same year, after the British PM William Lamb, 2nd Viscount Melbourne. Finally, in 1847, Melbourne was declared a city.

This was followed by the phase that saw Melbourne's first phase of rapid growth. The Victorian Gold Rush of 1951 meant that Melbourne, a major port city, became extremely busy and grew exponentially. So much so that it became the wealthiest city in the world at a point. This meant that the city now needed to evolve into a civic society, complete with various government buildings. This was undertaken in the decades of 1850 and 1860. This expansive growth continued into the 1980s, with development now coming through land and construction, and stopped only due to the economic crisis of the next decade.

The beginning of the 20th century saw Melbourne declared Australia's capital in 1901, although this was short-lived and only lasted till 1927. The next boom in the city's growth came after the second world war when there were huge amounts of immigrants coming into the city. This called for construction works for housing and expansions all over. Most of the public transport's massive growth was also during this period. In recent times, Melbourne has continued to grow steadily, and though it does not have the same global command as it once did, it is still an influential international city.

The top places near to Melbourne are Sydney which is 713 km from Melbourne, Tasmania which is located 414 km from Melbourne, Great barrier reef which is located 2188 km from Melbourne, Gold coast which is located 1343 km from Melbourne, Perth which is located 2722 km from Melbourne

The top things to do in Melbourne are Queen Victoria Market, National Gallery of Victoria, Shrine of Remembrance, Melbourne Cricket Ground, Eureka Tower, Royal Botanic Gardens. You can see all the places to visit in Melbourne here

Local Melbourne cuisine concentrates on fresh and homegrown. Grilled food is a favourite among the people of Melbourne, especially beef and lamb. Also, being a port city, Melbourne has an excellent offering of sea food as well, so don't miss out on that. Of course, you will easily find all the international fast food joints such as McDonalds, KFC, Pizza Hut and so on. There is no shortage of alcoholic drinks here either. Beer is of course Australia's staple diet. You can have a mean lamb rack or tenderloin steak with a pint of any local beer for the complete meal.
Read More

The autumn months are the time when Melbourne is host to many food and cultural events and festivals, and the city is still quite lively after a long and busy summer. The many gardens in the city are quite beautiful too, such as the Royal Botanic Garden and the Carlton Gardens, and the temperature especially is very pleasant for a great day out. Moreover, since summer is considered to be the tourist season, prices fall significantly during the autumn season, reducing your budget requirements considerably.
Read More