Melbourne! Hey Ho! First of all, everyone likes calling Melbourne the best city to live in the world. I am from Melbourne and I can tell that it’s very good but not the best! There is no such thing as the ‘best city’. Everyone who likes his/her city will call his/her city the best!
Everyone likes Melbourne; the tourists, the Melbournians and many Aussies. Melbourne is the capital of the state of Victoria. Before coming to Melbourne, many people have high expectations. Well the brochures always show the best pictures and the most exquisite snaps. Well please lower your expectations. Melbourne is fantastic for a million of reasons but come on, it is still a developing city; one of the fastest developing city in the world!
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So do you like boring trips to see Museums? Well they are boring but we still go. Why? Because when we are on a trip, visiting a museum and taking a few pictures there, makes it a nice trip. So go to the
Melbourne Museum; Amazing! Three Levels. You learn on the Australian History, Forests, Mind and Soul and Animals of Australia. Cheap to get in!
Immigration Museum: The history of how migrants came to Australia. Interesting to those seeking knowledge only.
Old Melbourne Gaol: See life of the prisoners in the 19th century in punishing circumstances. Has been declared haunted and ghosts appear there often! Are you listening?
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MUST VISIT PLACES!!!
1. Great Ocean Road: Twelve Apostles. A long trip, very long (about 12 hours two way) from Melbourne. The waves bashing on the big thousand years rocks and experience the breeze from the Southern Hemisphere. One of the most beautiful places I have ever been!
2. Melbourne Zoo: Kangaroos and more animals. Quite big. The animals tend to be sleeping most the time I went. Can be boring as well.
3. Federation Square: Galleries, architecture, nice food and great events
4. Melbourne Aquarium : Sharks and the array of living things! 3 levels. Too small though but kids will love it.
5. Werribee Open Range Zoo: Safari type.
6. Crown Entertainment Complex:The new night life of Melbourne. Most advanced complex includes Casinos, lavish hotel rooms, fine and expensive dining, huge food courts, boutiques and night-clubs. Best to go at night!
7. Phillip Island Nature Park: Never seen a penguin in your life. Go there and experience the fun wildlife!
8. Suburbs to visit: Richmond, St.Kilda, Brighton.
9. Puffing Billy Steam Railway: Experience the Dandenong Ranges and thick rainy forests in a steam train. Stop at Lakeside and enjoy the beauty of water! Can be a little bit boring as well.
10. Luna Park: Exciting rides and fun activities. Too small but worth some rides. No, you will not puke because the rides are not that fast.
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Night life: Yupee! The Show Must Go On…
Night life is huge in this city. Do you want to party? Do you know what partying means? There are so many night clubs, pubs and lounge rooms in Melbourne. It’s a big business. Drinks are quite expensive but watch out for the Happy Hour and drink cards where prices are reduced! Are you ready for a cocktail? Let’s go to:
Crown Entertainment Complex:
Mercury Lounge (18-23): DJs, Disco and Pop
Odeon (18-35): DJs, Bands and Pop Music
Heat: One of the best!
Next Blue: R&B and Asian Nights!
Indian Nites: Monsoon in the City and Evolution!
Other good night-clubs: Metro and Silvers. Do not forget to visit Brunswick Street in Fitzroy. There is a pub in every corner of the big suburbs and city streets.
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Transport
Modes: Trains, Trams and Buses + Taxis
All the new trains and trams use the Siemens German Technology. Buses are Volvo and Scania from Sweden. One company runs all. One ticket goes everywhere. Taxis are Holden and Ford makes.
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ATTENTION: GIRLS AND WOMEN: SHOPPING!!!!
You will go crazy! Shopping Centres are in abundance. Choices, colours, varieties… You will be more tempted by the perfumes, shoes, handbags, skirts, jeans, designer clothes and make-up. Expect to buy a lot. Some places are expensive but look for quality. But if you like it, BUY IT! Impulse buying: Yes! Watch out for your credit card girls!
Must visit 300+ shops Shopping Centres: Highpoint and Chadstone.
Departmental Stores: Myers, David Jones, Target, K-Mart and Harris Scarf
Discounted Stores: Best and Less and Reject Shop
Bargain Paradise: Queen Victoria Market; a Must visit for all tourists. Oldest market in Australia and displays wide range of goods, food and entertainment.
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Still some days left. Why not visit:
1. Healesville Sanctuary: Koalas, birds etc... and long walks.
2. Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG): Cultural Icon of Melbourne and cricket.
3. Scienceworks Museum: Planetarium. Your kids and you want to explore the complex world of science, planets and whatever… Educational and fun trip!
4. National Gallery of Victoria: Like art. Why miss it then!
5. Melbourne Observation Deck: 360 degrees view of the Melbourne City. The tallest building in the Southern Hemisphere.
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To know more about the language, please check out my review on ‘Understanding Aussie English’.
The city of Melbourne in itself is a great place to spend time. Not to forget all the restaurants. How about Chinatown? The big Shopping Centres with all these aroma smelling shops. There is always something happening in the city.
Melbourne is multicultural. You will be amazed by the food, the shopping, the colours, the flavours, the accents and the types of people you meet and see! The people are friendly. Visit the main places. Also go for the long trips. Some might be boring! Tourism services are available in the city.
Jump on trams, explore the night-life, meet the people, communicate, enjoy, see the sharks, experience the wildlife, buy some stuff for you and make yourself happy!
