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visitor guides to Melbourne

The 5 Best Melbourne Bars

The 5 Best Melbourne Bars

Jul 26, 2011

The five best Melbourne bars are an eclectic mix of sports bars and elaborately themed venues that fill the bill whether you're looking for a fancy cocktail at a trendy spot or a basic brew at an old-school pub. There are many great bars, but the five best Melbourne bars all bring something unique to the mix.

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The Melbourne Zoo: Everything you need to know

The Melbourne Zoo: Everything you need to know

Jul 26, 2011

The Melbourne Zoo is a perfect place for a relaxing day of animal viewing in the many natural habitats or signing up for one of the special behind-the-scenes tours or close animal encounters. You can even spend the night in the Melbourne Zoo if you dare.

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Melbourne Weather

White Cloud
Thu, Feb 23 - White Cloud
Max : 27°C (81°F) Min : 15°C (59°F)
Sunny
Fri, Feb 24 - Sunny
Max : 35°C (95°F) Min : 23°C (73°F)
Sunny
Sat, Feb 25 - Sunny
Max : 35°C (95°F) Min : 25°C (77°F)

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The capital of the State of Victoria, and one time capital of Australia, Melbourne is second in size only to Sydney. It is however quite unlike Sydney in many respects, and perhaps all the better for it. Here is where to find the history of colonial Australia, the deeper cultural elements, the art, fashion, cafe culture and city life which forged a new nation. A more favorable and temperate climate than many parts of Australia helps too, in allowing visitors the freedoms to explore the city, and with beaches and other natural attractions of Australia's south east coast within easy reach of any Melbourne hotel, it is from here that many people discover an all encompassing and authentic Australian adventure.

The city started as a settlement of Port Philip Bay, on the Yarra River and from inauspicious beginnings in 1835, few of the early settlers could have predicted the meteoric rise of Australia's second city. There are parallels here with the cities of Northern California and not least courtesy of a gold rush which established the city as a premier destination for those seeking their fortunes. Many of the great old Victorian buildings and city parks date from this period and have been joined in more recent times by the rather more modernist symbols of contemporary success, and a high rise skyline dominated by the Rialto and Eureka Tower.

It is an elegant architectural blend which makes for a very stylish city and forms the perfect backdrop to a wealth of cultural attractions, from first class museums and galleries to all manner of performance spaces. Like any other major city, Melbourne is a complex assemblage of neighborhoods, many of which have their own unique appeal and character. The historic core at the city center occupies both banks of the river and is flanked by the central business district and newly developed Docklands area. A Melbourne hotel here is likely to reflect some of the style of the locale, either within a traditional property or stunning modern waterside development.

Whatever the reason for visiting Melbourne there are no shortage of things to do, whether for true culture vultures, serious shoppers or the most ardent of sports fans. The city is Australia's sporting mecca, home of the Australian rules football, the grand prix, and the best cricket in the country. A city base is a great base too, for exploring the wider delights of the south east coast, such as the Grampians National Park, the Great Ocean Road, and the penguin parade of Philip Island.