Introducing Melbourne
Sophisticated and slick, edgy and rough, Melbourne’s physical and cultural landscape is shaped by a dynamic population, ever-ravenous for a bite of global culture. The result is Australia’s most accessible multiculturalism. Ornate Victorian-era architecture and leafy, established boulevards reflect the city’s history, and cutting-edge developments such as Federation Sq exemplify its enigmatic contemporary style. But, Melburnians still keep their urban frenzy to a deliciously sedate pace. Trams lumber back and forth on routes radiating out like spokes from central Melbourne, and cycling is a common way to get from A to Z.
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Character-filled neighbourhoods, such as Fitzroy, St Kilda and Carlton, hum with life and the city produces some of the best art, music, cuisine, fashion, performance, design and ideas in the world. Melburnians are also devoted to their sport and they go ballistic around the Australian Football League (AFL; ‘footy’ to the locals) finals and during Spring Racing Carnival. They love to shop, eat and attend the myriad festivals that the city offers. You’ll even find them defending the city’s temperamental weather, and if you’ve ever experienced Melbourne’s inclination to plummet from searing heat to drizzling rain in the space of an hour, you’ll understand that this must be the true definition of unconditional love.
Ready to go?
These tours & activities make it easy:
- Take a jam-packed road trip from Melbourne to Adelaide
- Cyle through the wine districts of Victoria's north-east
- Chug along the Puffing Billy Steam Train just outside of Melbourne
Last updated: Feb 21, 2012
Tips & articles
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The art of urban foraging
10 May 2012
If you left the house 10 years ago with a wicker basket to harvest sorrel, ceps or cobnuts, most people...
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Where to immerse yourself in the Titanic story
13 April 2012
Channel the spirit of the ‘unsinkable’ ship 100 years after its infamous plunge with these tips from Lonely Planet’s Best...
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Ask Lonely Planet: where can I see amazing street art?
21 March 2012
At Lonely Planet, our experts are bursting with nifty recommendations and off-the-wall travel ideas, so they were full of suggestions...
Thorn Tree forum discussion
Recent posts
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RE: October 2013 Pissup in Melbourne, anything planned...???
by spotty_dalmatian 26 May 2012
Looks like I will have to make myself more alluring to the lonely guy bird. And I didn't even invite you into this post. Did I? Hmmmm…
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RE: October 2013 Pissup in Melbourne, anything planned...???
by spotty_dalmatian 26 May 2012
Bazza & I have had many a long conversation by PMs!
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RE: October 2013 Pissup in Melbourne, anything planned...???
by westwood 25 May 2012
Have you ever thought that bazza might have to contend with you?? As for being deleted, you'd know all about that, wouldnt you.








