Melbourne - a touch of class
Author: 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 cafés, 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
café 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.
About the author: 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 Australia Car
Rentals
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