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are the Best Place to Ski in Australia?
Melbourne
Tourist Attractions: Immigration Museum Melbourne
Things
to do in Melbourne, Australia's Spectacular City by Pushpitha
Wijesinghe
Global to the core with an air
of urban sophistication that is unique to this part of the world map, Melbourne
is a thriving city that is defined by its ultra-modern population.
A trendsetter
in a nation that is anything but "down under" when it comes to its diversity
and vibrancy, Melbourne is a bustling capital that is synonymous with the
arts, music, cuisine, cinema, fashion and architecture. |
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A touristic hotspot in its
own right, Melbourne beckons the explorer in you on several different levels
with its scenic natural attributes, shopping, culture, history, social
life and indigenous heritage.
Those with a flair for history
will not be disappointed in this rich city whose illustrious collection
of museums include the Melbourne Museum, the Australian Racing Museum,
Moorabbin Air Museum, Jewish Museum, Holocaust Museum, Chinese Museum,
Railway Museum, Victoria Police Museum, the Old Treasury, Scienceworks
Immigration Museum, Polly Woodside Museum, Medical History Museum and the
Heide Museum of Modern Art among many others.
Other must-see sites include
the Royal Exhibition Buildings, Ned Kelly's cell block at Old Melbourne
Gaol and Cook's Cottage, the home of famed Captain James Cook. The Shrine
of Remembrance and the Government House are equally majestic as is the
sprawling Rippon Lea Estate , Schwerkolt Cottage , Como Historic House
and Garden as well as the extravagant Labassa mansion with its breathtaking
interiors.
Melbourne is also a veritable
treasure chest for art connoisseurs as the city houses over a hundred art
galleries and institutions, having the largest concentration of commercial
galleries in the globe. Some of the highlights include the first public
gallery established exclusively for Australian art, the Ian Potter Centre,
the phenomenal collection at the National Gallery of Victoria International
and the sculptures on display at the Linden Arts Centre.
The Australian Centre for
Contemporary Art, RMIT Gallery and Bundoora Homestead Art Gallery are also
enticing in addition to Melbourne's Valley of the Arts and the Australian
Centre for the Moving Image while shutterbugs are bound to enjoy the Monash
Gallery of Art and the Centre for Contemporary Photography. Indigenous
art lovers should drop by Melbourne Museum's Bunjilaka Aboriginal Centre
or many of the aboriginal art galleries in the city including the Koori
Heritage Trust, Narana Creations and the Burrinja Gallery. Those with an
interest for aboriginal culture should not miss the chance to take part
in the Aboriginal Heritage Walk where the customs and traditions of the
indenigous community are explored in detail.
Melbourne also has something
to offer the shopaholic in all of us as some of the trendiest boutiques,
designer brands and department stores are based in Melbourne. The city's
iconic walkways and arcades along Crossley Street, Cathedral, the Block,
Presgrave, Centre, Royal Arcades and Degraves are unique and delightfully
eccentric at the same time. Shopping hotspots include Alice Euphemia, Retrostar,
Shag and Zambesi for luxurious brands while Blonde Venus also offers exclusive
clothing. Chambermaid and Chiodo are other popular brands while music lovers
should head on down to Basement Discs with its impressive all genre collection.
Book lovers will love spending an afternoon at the Brunswick Street Bookstore
or at Chronicles'.
If it's a quaint local market
experience one is after, the Prahran Market, Queen Victoria Market, South
Melbourne Market and Camberwell Market will more than suffice. Hob-nob
with Melbournians amongst some of the best produce in the city while other
colourful thoroughfares include St Kilda Farmers' Market, Hawthorn Craft
Market, Rose Street Artist Market, and the Esplanade Market with its quirky
arts and craft collection.
Home to some of the trendiest
clubs in Victoria, Melbourne's vivacious night life has to be seen to be
believed. With the hottest DJs spinning the tunes in some of the funkiest
clubs this side of the Atlantic, a trip to Melbourne will be incomplete
if one didn't drop in at Seven, Room 680, Revolver and the Prince of Wales.
Tote, Pony and the Ding Dong Lounge also offer live music in addition to
Bennetts Lane, Cheery and Corner all of which feature some of the best
local talent.
While the city is home to
a wide range of 5 star luxury hotels, a visitor cannot find one that exceeds
the style and elegance of The Langham. As a part of the global group of
Langham Hotels this idyllic and tranquil accommodation offers first class
services and beautifully appointed guestrooms.
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