Melbourne Hotels Guide
Victoria, Australia
Melbourne is the capital city of the south-eastern state of Victoria and has a population of approximately 2.5 million people, making it the second largest Australian city after Sydney. Melbourne is located on the picturesque Port Phillip Bay, with the city's suburbs extending around the bay. Melbourne is known as the 'Style Capital of Australia' and is regularly voted as one in the top ten 'World's Most Liveable Cities'. You only have to scratch the surface of Melbourne and you'll discover a city abuzz with a vibrant arts and culture scene. Southside is the location of the Victorian Arts Centre, the Recital Centre and the international collection of the National Gallery of Victoria.
Map of Melbourne Australia
Melbourne Highlights
Melbourne, great rival to Sydney for the title of Australia's biggest and best city, offers European flair, great restaurants, a thriving arts scene, edgy night-life and a rather cool damp climate. Set on the picturesque Yarra River on the south east corner of Australia, Melbourne is a photographer's delight from any angle. The river winds through the CBD, along the Southbank and to the Docklands, both river-front suburb recently transformed from a run-down industrial area to a vibrant residential and entertainment hubs and you can walk or take a cruise to enjoy the views. For a birds eye view of Melbourne head to The Eureka Tower's world famous Sky Deck a view from 91 stories high.
Melbourne is renowned for being the sporting capital of Australia and hosts a plethora of events throughout the year, including the Australian Open Tennis Championships in January and the world famous horse-race, The Melbourne Cup, in November. The historical Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) holds AFL games every weekend from March until October, and Cricket games from November through to February. Aside from sport, stage productions can be encountered any night of the week with several theatres located across Melbourne. And for the kids, definitely check out the Melbourne Aquarium, the Melbourne Museum and the Royal Botanic Gardens.
Melbourne has a cool temperate climate, with cold, wet winters and warm to hot summers.
Melbourne Holidays Planner
Federation Square blends art with architecture – see cutting edge visual exhibitions at ACMI or the permanent collection at the Ian Potter Gallery. Explore the city's historic lane-ways for 'hole-in-the-wall' galleries, eclectic designers and fringe theatres. The lane-ways are also home to atmospheric coffee houses in which Hemingway would have felt at home, and elegant 19th century shopping arcades. There are secret delights around every corner. Melbourne is awash with gourmet dining experiences, with world-class chefs, innovative venues and perfectly-matched wines. Grab a copy of The Age Good Food Guide while you are in town and sample some of the 1 – 3 star hatted restaurants. For great coffee and eclectic shopping, the inner city suburbs of Carlton and Fitzroy are the places to head.
Melbourne's wondrous game of hide and go seek seems to be the latest craze, with unmarked doorways leading to some of the most famous night spots in the country! If you'd rather allow the night-life find you, be sure to meet under the clocks of Flinders Street Station for a fantastic encounter at Federation square. The public transport system is well structured, easy to use and covers Melbourne far and wide. You will find stylish boutique accommodation to suit all budgets anywhere in Melbourne. The dining choices are endless with the cultural tastes of the world in and around the CBD, most notably on Victoria St Richmond, Lygon St Carlton and Chinatown.
Melbourne Accommodation Search
Most visitors base themselves in the vibrant city centre or surrounding inner suburbs, with accommodation ranging from 5-star historic and ultra-hip hotels to serviced apartments, backpacker hostels and cosy B&Bs. The following Melbourne hotels provide some of the best deals for a holiday in Victoria – please search below for availability and get the very best room rates sourced from over 100 local and online booking agents: