elbourne is Australia’s second BIG city, and a big city with more space, time and patience than its older sister to the north. One of the world’s great Victorian cities, it was built lavishly on the proceeds of gold, setting it up briefly as the seat of the first Australian Federal Parliament, and establishing it for generations as the seat of old money, industrial production and political clout. Voted as one of the world’s most liveable cities, it is at once conservative and the leader of the Australian avant gard, with daring modern design sitting next to dour Victorian edifices.

Melbourne is as diverse and changeable as its weather and for that reason does indoor pursuits really well (the shopping is superb!). However sport is also a deep passion of the populace and it is a town that indulges time and money on its homes and gardens, from fine collections of formal parks planted with elm trees to its suburban front gardens--the citizens take pride in their appearance. A city laid out with generous and elegant proportions, and streets wide enough to retain its famed trams, Melbourne is now well known as the continent’s capital of fashion, theatre, art, restaurants, café society, and the first Tuesday in November. Then the city casts its socialite spell over the nation, stopping everything for the running of the Melbourne Cup.