Australia - Victoria

Melbourne
Capital of the state of Victoria, is attractively set on the shores of Port Philip Bay. Famous for its beautiful parks and gardens, mixed with fine Victorian architecture, elegant tree lined boulevards and modern skyscrapers. Explore the city by tram and absorb the atmosphere of Australia’s cultural capital in the many arts galleries and museums or take a cruise on the Yarra River. Visit the Victorian Arts Center and the National Gallery of Victoria. Also the sporting capital of Australia, Melbourne hosts major annual events such as the Australian Open Tennis, Australia Formula One Grand Prix, the AFL Grand Final and the Melbourne Cup. Dining out in Melbourne is a direct reflection of the city’s diverse ethnicity with an abundance of Greek, Italian, Lebanese, Vietnamese, Thai, Chinese and Malaysian restaurants. Don’t miss Lygon Street with its abundance of Italian restaurants.

Further Afield - Recommendations

Dandenong Ranges and Yarra Valley
One hour’s drive east of Melbourne lie the magnificent Dandenong Ranges. The Dandenongs offer an idyllic rural setting with craft shops, parks and stately homes. The Blue Dandenongs are best explored by the historic Puffing Billy steam train. Further east is the wine growing region of the Yarra Valley offering wine tasting and vineyard tours. These lush vineyards are deservedly enjoying an increasing reputation for producing world-class vintages.
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