Melbourne

Alternate meanings: Melbourne (disambiguation)

Melbourne islargest cityVictoria,state capital, andsecond-largest cityAustralia, withpopulation3,366,542 (census 2001). (The locals referthemselves as 'Melburnians', curiously missing'o'.)

Tablecontents

1 Geography 2 Culture 3 History 3.1 Timelineevents 4 Public transport 4.2 Metcard 4.3 Trams 4.4 Trains 5 Landmarkstourist information 5.5 Restaurants 5.6 Cafesnightlife 5.7 Nearby Melbourne 6 Melbournefictionmusic 7 Media

Geography

Melbournelocated insouth-eastern cornermainland Australia, approximately 800 kilometres southwestSydney. It sits looking onPort Phillip Bay, its suburbs sprawling toeast, followingYarra River out toYarraDandenong Ranges, south-east tomouth ofbay,westnorthflat farming country. The central business district (the original city)laid out ingrid, its southern side backing on toYarra.

Melbourne islarge commercialindustrial center,manyAustralia's largest companies,many multinational corporations (approximately one-third of100 largest multinationals operatingAustralia as2002) headquartered there. IthomeAustralia's largest port, several prominent universities (includingUniversityMelbourne, Monash University,RMIT),muchAustralia's automotive industry (includingengine manufacturing facilityHolden, andFordToyota manufacturing facilities) amongst many other manufacturing industries. The outer suburbTullamarine hosts Melbourne Airport, which serves Melbourne andwider stateVictoria.

Culture

Melbourne, while havinglargevibrant artscultural life (notably includingMelbourne International Comedy Festival each autumn),perhaps best known asmost sports-obsessed city inworld. Melbourne has nine ofsixteen teams inAustralian Football League, whose five Melbourne games per week attract, on average, about 35,000 people per game. Melbourne hostsAustralian tennis open, one offour Grand Slam tournaments,Melbourne Cup (the most prestigious handicap horse race inworld),hugely-attended cricket test match starting each year on Boxing Day (Mid summer - 26th December)atMelbourne Cricket Ground (a massive arena that holds 100,000 spectators),round ofFormula One World Championship, amongst many other events attracted tocity byreadinessspectatorsattend, as well as aggressive attempts bystate governmentattract them,most recent being2006 Commonwealth Games. Melbourne has also broken new ground inevent area beingfirst city outsideU.S.hostPresident's Cup golf tournament (in 1999),first Southern Hemisphere cityhostWorld Cup Polo Championship (in 2001),first World PoliceFire Games outsideU.S. (in 1995)wasonly city inSouthern Hemisphere thatThree Tenors (Luciano Pavarotti, Placido DomingoJose Carreras) performed on their world tour1997.

History

Melbourne was founded1834 bygroupfree settlers (led by John BatmanJohn Pascoe Fawkner), unlike manyAustralia's capital cities which were founded as penal colonies. Withdiscoverygoldcentral Victoria in1850s, Melbourne quickly grew asportservicenecessary tradebytimeFederation shared pre-eminenceSydney as Australia's most important cities. Melbourne todayhome tolargest numbersurviving Victorian Era buildingsany city inworld other than London. Until 1927 andconstructionCanberra, Melbourne served as Australia's centregovernment.

Melbourne continuedgrow steadily throughoutfirst half of20th century, particularly withpost-WWII influxmigrants andinfluencehostingOlympic Games1956. While continuinggrow, however, Sydney's influence on Australian affairs grew stronger atexpenseMelbourne's. Capitalising on this mood,Liberal governmentJeff Kennett revitalisedcity through1990saggressive developmentnew public buildingspublicising Melbourne's merits bothoutsidersMelbournians. Despiterecent changegovernment,re-energised city continuesgrow rapidly.

Timelineevents

1854 - Melbourne Exhibition (1854) (in conjunction Exposition Universelle (1855))

1861 - Victorian Exhibition (1861)

1866 - Intercolonial ExhibitionAustralasia (1866)

1875 - Victorian Intercolonial Exhibition (1875)

1877 - First ever Test Cricket Match (1877)

1880 - Melbourne International Exhibition (1880)

1884 - Victorian International Exhibition 1884Wine, Fruit, Grain & other products of soilAustralasiamachinery, planttools employed

1885 - Victorians' Jubilee Exhibition (1885) (JubileeVictoria Exhibition)

1886 -

1888 - Victorian Juvenile Industrial Exhibition (1888), Centennial International Exhibition

1897 - Victorian Football League - First Season

1956 - The Olympic Games

1970 - On October 15, 35 construction workers were killed whensection ofnew West Gate Bridge collapsed intoriver below.

Public transport

To Do: This section has plenty more scopeenhancement. Also history subpagesFlinders St Stn., Spencer St Stn.,City Loop etc.

Melbourne's public transportoperated by 2 tram companies, 2 train companies,countless smaller bus companies. The system was government-run untillate 1990s. Currently,systembeing rebranded undersingle Metlink name, replacingslewdifferent company names covering stationsvehicles. The public transport systembroken up into three ticketing zones: Zone 1 (Yellow), Zone 2 (Blue),Zone 3 (Red).

Metcard

All formspublic transport can be accessed by usingsingle ticket -Metcard. Metcards come invarietyforms, ranging from 2 hour ticketsyearly tickets, all usingsame tickets by programmingmagnetic strip. Metcards'validated' when entering or exiting train stations,getting on trams or buses. However, most suburban train stationsunstaffedcan easily be used withoutticket,trams no longer have conductors, makingeasygo short distances withoutticket.

Trams

One notable feature ofMelbourne landscape ismobile one -tram. Melbourne isonly Australian cityretain its tram system, which servicesCBDinner suburbs. In fact, Melbourne's networkamongstlargest inworld,is still (albeit slowly) growing. The classic green-and-gold tramsoften thoughtassymbolMelbourne, although many trams todaycoveredall-over advertising. The traditional wooden W-class trams have been relegatedjust one line,free "City Circle" tourist loop aroundCBD, although thererumours that theysetmakecomeback. In 2001,first new CitadisCombino low-floor trams arrived incity. These new trams were complemented bymassive development upgradekey city tram stops2002. These new "super stops" significantly improve shelter, accessibility, informationsafetytravellers.

Trains

The centreMelbourne's extensive suburban rail networkFlinders Street Station. There14 electrified routes, radiating out ofCity Loop. The City Loop contains Melbourne's two grand stations, FlindersSpencer Streets Stations, as well asunderground stations Parliament, Melbourne Central (formerly Museum)Flagstaff. There4 separate subway tunnels connecting these three underground stations,an elevated viaduct betweentwo surface stations. Melbourne's train fleet consists ofcommon Comeng trains, recently refurbished, andolder Hitachi trains, whichnot airconditioned and, incity's summer heat, hated by commuters. However, these trains will progressively be replaced by new X-TrapolisNexus trains.

The hub ofVictorian regional rail network, operated by V/LineSpencer Street Station.

Landmarkstourist information

Whilst perhaps lackingshowy iconsSydney andbeaches ofGold Coast, Melbourne attracts large numberstourists, particularly young backpackers. It also hostsdisproportionate numberspectator sports.

Popular sitesevents include:

• The MCG. From AprilSeptember, theretypically one or two Australian rules football matches there per week;game can be spectacular, ituniqueAustralia, relatively inexpensiveattend,is safeenjoyableall, including children. Duringsummer, cricket matchesplayed there -most important beingBoxing Day test match between ChristmasNew Year's Eve,several one-day international gamesJanuaryFebruary whichperhaps more enjoyable forcasual spectator. The MCGcurrently being renovatedpreparation for2006 Commonwealth Games
• Melbourne Park, home ofAustralian Open tennis tournament, one offour Grand Slam tournaments. HeldJanuary each year.
• The Melbourne Museumlocated onnorth-eastern fringe ofCBD, next toOld Exhibition Building (built in1880s forWorld's Fair,onefew such buildings still standing). To many Melburnians,most significant exhibit ispreserved bodyPhar Lap,famous racehorse ofDepression era. Technically-inclined visitors may be more interestedCSIRAC,fifth electronic computer built andonly oneits generationsurvive intact. The Museum complexalso homeMelbourne's IMAX cinema.
• The curiously-named National GalleryVictoria (notbe confused withNational GalleryAustraliaCanberra), hosts an impressive collectionart including both classicalcontemporary pieces. The gallerysplit over two sites,Australian collection atIan Potter Centre: NGV Australia at Federation Square, andNGV International collection housed inrecently renovated St. Kilda Road building.
• Rialto Towers,tallest reinforced concrete structure inSouthern Hemisphere, gives an excellent view ofcity fromobservation deck on55th floor.
• The Victorian Arts Centre at Southgate (onsouthern banks ofYarra River, hosts Opera Australia's Melbourne season,Melbourne Symphony Orchestra,Melbourne Theatre Company,Australian Ballet Company, Chunky Move (Australia's best-known contemporary dance company)other touring productions. A Melbourne landmark,acoustics ofbuildingfar better thanSydney Opera House andticketsconsiderably cheaper, so, givenchoice, touristsadvisedsee operas here rather thanSydney. Unfortunately,opera seasonrather limited. Therealso typically several musicals playingtheatres aroundCBD, mostly several years after their production on Broadway orWest End, but usuallygood qualityat quite reasonable cost.
• Crown Casino,short walk alongYarra River fromArts Centre, istruly gargantuan gambling palace, also containing restaurants, upmarket boutiques, several nightclubs, two hotel towers,cinema complex,regular floorshows. Very much Las Vegasminiature, iteither loved or hated by both residentstourists.
• Docklands, Melbourne's newest precinctlargest infrastructure developmentdate,also becomingmajor attraction,many restaurants there having won awardsrecognition, even thoughhave only been open since January 2003. The Docklands area opens upwaterfront toCBD (also nearly doubling its size)will attract millionsvisitors every year.

Restaurants

Melbourne's restaurantsnumerous, andgenerallyreasonable qualitygood value (particularlyforeign tourists who can take advantage oflow value ofAustralian dollar). Belowsome ofmajor restaurant strips, however theremany other restaurants notthese locations which offer similar or better-quality foodusually at lower cost. The Age newspaper produces two "Good restaurant" guides - onelow-cost eatinganothermore elaborate restaurants.

• Chinatown, on Little Bourke St.now spreading out onto Russell St. inCBD, offers numerous restaurants, mainly but not exclusively offering Cantonese cuisine, atlower end offering Hong-Kong style noodle restaurants upFlower Drum, renownedits peking duckgenerally regarded as Melbourne's best restaurant. Theremany other restaurants throughoutCBD.
• Lygon St, ininner-northern suburbCarlton, offersselectionmainly Italian-influenced food. To some extenttourist strip,qualityvariablesome restaurantsdecent reputationsothers avoided by locals. The nearby Melbourne University means that students throng tobetter-value places; tourists may consider following their lead.
• Brunswick Stinner-suburban Fitzroy usedbegrungy hotbedstudents, musicians, actors, andlike,still retains some remnantthat edginess withpresenceseveral live music venues, all mannereclectic stores, accompanied by restaurantscafes, manywhich serve variedcontemporary menus (though prices have crept up withgrowing gentrification ofarea). Brunswick St went throughgrowth phaserapidly becamecasual placeeat. The risenumberincome levelpeople living within walkinghearing distancechangingfeel. Several chain companies targetingupwardly mobile post-university crowd sawtrends (late!)opened branches on Brunswick Street, putting further rent pressure oninteresting, but low turn-over stores. Almost all buildings inonce light industrial surrounding area have been converted into apartments. This puts parking pressure onareanoise restrictions overpreviously vibrant musical scene. People have started dressing inover-trendy, have-I-made-it-yet style, previously reserved for"Chapel St" areaMelbourne. Luckily therestill plentypeople wearing alternative or comfortable sloppy clothes. However because therefewer unexpected thingsdo onstreet, you almost needreasonvisit. Lunch andcouplesecond hand book storestwo choices. Brunswick Stmore vibrant at night than duringday.
• Chapel St, south ofcity ispopular destinationfashionable clothes shopping, eatingentertainment. Thestreet contains commercial areas providing goodsserviceslocal residents. This variety makesstreet arguably more interesting than LygonBrunswick Streets which havehigher proportioneating establishments. Chapel St intersectsToorak Rd, itself offering entertainment, foodshops. Both streetsfullpeople dressedMelbourne's current fashion.

Cafesnightlife

As one would expect fromcity its size, Melbourne contains all mannerpubs, bars,nightclubs. The CBD containswide varietyvenues, fromubquititous faux-Irish pubs proliferating aroundworld,some very upmarket establishments (such asSupper Club, which offers all mannerexclusive wines at exclusive prices), serious jazz venues (Bennetts Lane), fashionable nightclubsdance venues,massive pickup joints (of which The Metro on Bourke Stperhapsbiggest). The restaurant strips, particularly Brunswick St. have their own bars, somewhich arebest rock venuesMelbourne. King St, onsouthern side ofCBD, was traditionallynightclub stripstill hosts several, but manynow exotic dancing venues (a final notethis topic, small brothelslegalVictoria andfound discreetly dotted throughoutsuburbs). Chapel St. Prahran,perhapstrendiest, most upmarket (and most expensive) nightlife strip. The final areanoteSt Kilda, background forTV show The Secret LifeUs, which ishomeseveral huge music venues includingfamous Esplanade Hotel,PrinceWales,The Palace Complex. On its beachside setting,also combinesupmarket withgrungy.

The recent influxcity-dwellers have given rise tonumerous underground barssidewalk cafes inalleys between Flinders St - Flinders LaneBourke St - Lonsdale St. As such,nightlifethese areasnone too shabby. Notable alleys include Block Arcade/Block Place (off Little Collins), Degraves St (off Flinders Lane),Hardware Lane (between Bourke & Lonsdale).

Melbourne isreasonably cheapeasy placeshop. Therelarge numberssouvenir shops on Swanston Street incentral business district sellingusual arrayt-shirts, didgeridoos, boomerangs, andlike. Thereinnumerable clothing shopsevery budget, though bargain hunters may wishtryoutlet storesBridge Road, Richmond.

Nearby Melbourne

Outside Melbourne proper, there arevarietyinteresting thingssee withinday tripMelbourne:

• The Yarra valley region, producerhigh-quality winewith beautiful rainforest scenery nearby.
• The "Surf coast" near Geelong,excellent surf beaches andspectacular views Great Ocean Road.
• Bendigo.
• Ballarat.
• Phillip Island, home ofAustralian Motorcycle Grand Prix, also has one offew easily-accessible colonieslittle penguins.
• Gippsland region, home ofGourment Deli Tours,Gippsland Lakes, Wilson's Promentory,many picturesque towns such as Walhalla, Lakes Entrance,Warragul- centreone ofrichest dairy farming districtsAustralia.

To do: finish diningnightlife areas, mention some ofday trips (Surf Coast, Phillip Island, Yarra Ranges, Winery Tours)

See also: Urban walksMelbourne

Melbournefictionmusic

Melbourne has beensettingmany novels, television dramas,films. Perhapsbest-known internationally isnovel OnBeach. In 1959,was made intofilm starring Gregory Peck, Ava Gardnerdirected by Stanley Kramer. The film depicteddenizensMelbourne quietly slipping off into eternity aslast victims ofglobal nuclear holocaust. Filmed on location inaround Melbourne (a huge noveltyMelbourne attime), itperhaps best remembered forcomment Ms. Gardner never made - describing Melbourne as 'the perfect placemakefilm aboutend ofworld', commenting ondreary conservatismMelbourne inlate 1950s. The purported quote was invented by journalist Neil Jillett.

Perhaps better known tocontemporary audience isdaily teen soap opera Neighbours, which presentswhitewashed microcosmsuburban Australian life. Other contemporary television shows setMelbourne include Stingers,police drama,The Secret LifeUs.

Singer Paul Kelly has written several well-known songs about aspects ofcity close toheartmany Melburnians, notably "LeapsBounds""Saint KildaKings Cross".

Media

Melbourne's daily newspapers include"small-l liberal" broadsheet The Age, andMurdoch tabloid Herald-Sun.

The three commercial television channels andABC producenightly news bulletinMelbourne, andSeven network produces its current affairs show Today Tonight there. The ABC also producesweekly state-based current affairs show, Stateline,Melbourne.

Melbourne haswide rangeradio stations. In termscurrent affairs radio,most notable locally-produced stationsABC Local Radio (774 3LO)1278 3AW, both featuring extensive local news coveragetalkback. Bothnotably more sedatefar more liberal thanraucous Sydney talkback stations 2UE2GB. Australia's most successful community radio station, 3RRR, isMelbourne institution.