A
vibrant cosmopolitan city, located on the magnificent Port Phillip Bay, Melbourne is the
state capital and
cultural heart of
Victoria. The locals’ claim that it is ‘the best city in the world to live in’ may rankle their rivals in Sydney but few would dispute that it is indeed a scintillating place to visit. In fact, the traditional rivalry between Melbourne and Sydney, which covers every sphere of life from business to sport, has resulted in a proud, dynamic city that strives for excellence in all things.
The city is situated on either side
of the
Yarra River and the area was originally home to Aborigines for thousands of years. The waterway attracted British settlers, who founded the
Port Phillip Settlement of the Colony of New South Wales in 1835. In 1851, a separate colony was carved out of New South Wales and named Victoria, after Queen Victoria, and Melbourne was named after the British prime minister,
Lord Melbourne.
That same year gold was discovered near
Ballarat and
Bendigo, to the west of Melbourne, and the ensuing
gold rush turned the city into a
powerful financial center, as well as the first political capital, until Canberra was established in 1927.
Numerous gardens and
parks give a pleasant, open feel to the city, whose skyline mixes
elegant spires with dazzling
modern skyscrapers, which dwarf the elegant
Victorian-era buildings that are dotted along leafy streets.
However, the city is defined more by its
diverse population than by its architecture. Immigration at the end of WWII transformed Melbourne into a thriving
cultural melting pot, totaling over 3 million people, with sizeable Italian, Greek and Chinese communities each carving out their own quarter.
In fact, large-scale immigration has made Melbourne home to the biggest
Greek community outside Greece and the influx of immigrants from a wide array of countries has contributed to Melbourne’s claim to be the cultural capital of Australia.
The introduction of European and Asian communities has resulted in an eclectic and energetic blend of
theater,
music,
art and
literature. The international population has also brought a wealth of different
cuisine, served up in a glorious range of restaurants, from the breezy outdoor cafes along the
Crown Promenade overlooking the Yarra River, to the buzzing pizzerias in
Carlton, the colorful Chinese eateries in
Chinatown and the fine seafood restaurants in trendy
St Kilda Beach, just a half-hour tram ride from the city center.
One topic that is almost always discussed over a meal is the weather. The city has
four distinct seasons and usually enjoys a
pleasant,
temperate climate. However, winters do get cold and summers see some swelteringly hot days. Indeed, sometimes, all four seasons occur in one day: welcome to Melbourne!
The Columbus World Travel Guide has been published for 26 years and is sold in over 90 countries worldwide.
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Word Travels is a comprehensive travel guide covering hundreds of cities and holiday resorts in more than 125 countries.
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The Columbus World Travel Guide has been published for 26 years and is sold in over 90 countries worldwide.
Word Travels is a comprehensive travel guide covering hundreds of cities and holiday resorts in more than 125 countries.
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