One glance at a map and it’s obvious that Melbourne is a planned city: a tidy, balanced grid of neatly angled streets. But beneath this sense of everything in its place restraint lies a restless creative energy constantly pushing back at the city’s seeming conservatism. The CBD is made up of precincts – distinct enclaves each with its own flavour and charm. Some are just a lane or two, while others cover the banks of the Yarra River or a busy CBD street.

Extending around the bay are a number of inner suburbs, each with its own distinct character and personality. A short tram ride from the city centre, Melbourne’s suburban neighbourhoods are a must see for anyone wanting to experience what life here is really all about.

Melbourne prides itself on being a great city. It’s hardly surprising, with its spectacular combination of old and new architecture, elegant streetscapes, ethnic communities and lavish parks and gardens. Add Australia’s best eating, an excellent transit system and a packed events calendar boasting sporting spectaculars and exuberant events, and you have all the ingredients for one of the most enlightened and liveable cities in the world.

Australia’s second-largest city and capital of the state of Victoria, Melbourne has a lively passion for eating and drinking, which is reflected in thousands of restaurants serving up gastronomic experiences from around the world. What’s more, everywhere you look you’ll find an array of fashionable cafés, where you can enjoy Melbourne’s fantastic coffee culture to the full.

Melbourne is a style-setter with some of the best shopping and nightlife in Australia. Whether you’re searching for haute couture or vintage clothing, souvenirs or sparkling chardonnay, über-chic bars, clubs or jazz venues, Melbourne has it all.

Melbourne’s standing as the cultural capital of Australia is recognised in a non-stop program of film and food festivals, major art exhibitions and musical extravaganzas. The city is also famous for its range of crowd-pleasing events – from the high-octane excitement of the Australian Grand Prix to the beautiful floral displays of the Melbourne International Flower and Garden Show.

And if you venture outside Melbourne, diverse regional areas and attractions proffer dramatic coastal vistas, outback wilderness, vineyards, rugged peaks and thrilling wildlife. Attracting visitors from far and wide, they are all easily accessible, making your Melbourne experience even more rich and rewarding....MORE ON MELBOURNE

Above information courtesy of www.visitvictoria.com

Immerse yourself in the Yarra Valley, Dandenongs and the Ranges, where tall trees and ancient mountain ranges meet the vineyards and world class wineries of the Yarra Valley. An hour’s drive from Melbourne, discover a timeless sanctuary in this place of beauty, where stylish restaurants, quality produce and boutique accommodation are in harmony with village life, open gardens and Australian wildlife in its natural habitat.

The Yarra Valley is home to Victoria’s earliest vineyards and recognised as one of the world’s great wine growing regions. Numerous wineries offer cellar door tastings and sales, and have restaurants serving gourmet food and fine local produce accompanied by their wine. For a different view of the countryside, take to the skies in a hot-air balloon before gently descending into a vineyard to enjoy a breakfast of sparkling wine. Get close to Australian wildlife at Healesville Sanctuary, home to dingos, kangaroos, wombats and the elusive platypus.

Parks, gardens, native fern forests and nature trails define Dandenongs and The Ranges. Climb aboard Australia’s oldest steam train, Puffing Billy, and travel through thick forests and lush fern-filled gullies. At William Ricketts Sanctuary wander amongst rocks and fern gardens dotted with clay sculptures of Aboriginal figures, and in spring visit the region to see breathtaking displays of millions of tulips, freesias, daffodils, and rhododendrons. Look out for bird life at the Alfred Nicholas Gardens, home to a stunning blend of native and exotic trees, waterfalls and a picturesque lake.

The beauty of the region has been a source of inspiration for artists for over 100 years. Explore village galleries and shops, visit the remarkable Montsalvat artists colony and gallery, walk or cycle the renowned Heidelberg School Artists Trail, or go behind the scenes and see artists at work as part of the Artists Open Studios Program.

This region is also richly endowed with some of the most beautiful natural countryside in Victoria. See towering trees, verdant valleys pristine rivers and beautiful snow covered mountains near Marysville and Warburton.

The region’s vibrant calendar of seasonal events include the annual Grape Grazing Day, when over 20 wineries combine in a summer celebration of wine, food and musical talent. The region also boasts an enviable range of boutique bed and breakfast establishments, self-contained cottages and guesthouses.

Above information courtesy of www.visitvictoria.com

Melbourne’s Bays and Peninsulas are synonymous with fun and relaxation, and feature beguiling beaches, fine food and wine, chic beachfront towns and a variety of family attractions. Melbourne stands at the crown of this region, with the Bellarine and Mornington Peninsulas enclosing Port Phillip Bay.

Stylish Sorrento and Portsea on the Mornington Peninsula are home to with antique shops, galleries, cafes and numerous walking trails along the ocean-facing coastline. Heading inland, you’ll find a number of boutique wineries around Red Hill, where many vineyard restaurants offer sea views and gourmet dishes to match their individual wines. On the Bellarine Peninsula, the historic town of Queenscliff is dotted with Victorian-era buildings, fisherman’s cottages, and fascinating galleries and shops.

Both the Bellarine and Mornington Peninsulas offer an assortment of water-based activities. Surfing, sailing, swimming and fishing are widely enjoyed, as is swimming with the resident populations of dolphins and seals. The region is also noted for its markets, artist workshops, gardens, year-round events, championship golf courses and fresh produce – you can pick your own strawberries, cherries and other seasonal fruits or buy a range of food directly from the farm gate.

Above information courtesy of www.visitvictoria.com