Like an over-achieving older sibling, Sydney somehow always seems to get all the attention. It got the Olympics (in 2000), the opera house, and the name-recognition. But nearby Melbourne, to hear the locals tell it, has everything else. Just a hop, skip, and a jump (at least by Aussie standards) from Sydney, it's easy to include a trip to Melbourne in a tour of major Australian cities. It's a side trip well worth making, because cosmopolitan Melbourne has much to offer any visitor to Australia.
Even standing in the shadow of Sydney, Melbourne has certainly done well for itself. The capital of the state of Victoria, Melbourne is the second-largest city in all of Australia. The city was founded in 1835, but remained small until gold was discovered in the region in the 1850s. In just 150 years, the city has swelled to a population of nearly three million--in a country with a population not yet topping 20 million. Today, Melbourne boasts the oldest zoo in the world, the best botanical gardens anywhere, and the tallest building in the Southern Hemisphere. It has also developed a sophisticated atmosphere sure to please even the most jaded shoppers and night owls.
What most visitors notice first about Melbourne is the city's incredible ethnic diversity. Founded by the English, the city has attracted several major waves of immigrants. Many came from surrounding Asian countries, but there's a large European contingent as well, especially from Italy, Greece, and other southern European countries. How many transplants are we talking about? So many that Melbourne now has more citizens of Greek descent than any city but Athens. Fully one third of all Melbourne's residents are either foreign-born or the children of parents born overseas.
What to See
The combination of cultural diversity and explosive growth makes Melbourne an exciting city to visit. Much of the city's charm lies in walking the city streets, where one moment you'll think you're in London, and the next equally convinced you've stumbled upon an alley in bustling Hong Kong. But there are several can't-miss sites in the city, including:
The Melbourne Zoo. Don't let the fact that this zoo is the oldest zoo in the world make you think it's old-fashioned. The zoo's 3,000 animal guests thrive in habitats made to resemble their native lands as much as possible. Of course, it helps that many of the animals are Australian natives to begin with. If you can't make it to the outback, here's your chance to see koalas, kangaroos, wallabies, and other favorites up close.
Royal Botanic Gardens.
Considered by many to be the best botanical gardens in the world, the gardens are an oasis of beauty just south of the city. Visitors will find over 100 acres of lush parkland containing over 12,000 different plant species collected from all over the world. Various bird-filled ponds and pools dot the landscape as well. All plants are well marked so you can take yourself on a leisurely tour of the gardens, or tag along a guided tour--it's all free.
Rialto Towers Observation Deck.
This observation deck is the highest point in the Southern Hemisphere. 830 feet (252 meters) up, you'll get views of all of Melbourne and beyond. You can also eat (and drink) in the cafe at the top.
Queen Victoria Markets. The "Queen Vic," as it's affectionately called, is so huge that organized tours are offered several times a week. You can spend hours wandering the hundreds of stalls set up near the city center. Poke around through the junk long enough, and there's no telling what you might find for sale. Food stalls abound, too, so you can make this an all-day affair.
What to Do
The shopping and dining options in Melbourne are among the best, if not the best in Australia. This is also a great city for those who love the nightlife, with plenty of hip clubs for anyone who likes to stay out late.
As with most of Australia, sports play a big part in everyone's daily life. Melbourne missed out on the Olympics, but it hardly matters, as the city is home to many major annual sporting rituals.
Every March, Melbourne kicks off the Formula 1 car-racing season by hosting the Qantas Australian Grand Prix. For four days, world-famous drivers roar around the 3.3-mile (5.3-kilometer) track at the Albert Park sports center. During breaks in the action, spectators can watch and participate in various other sports, including golf, sailing, soccer, and even cricket.
The first Tuesday in November brings on the national horseracing phenomenon known as the Melbourne Cup. Billed as "the race a nation stands still for," this race is one of the few in the world with its own carnival. Days of parades and pageantry lead up to the big event, which may only take a few minutes, but about which books can be (and have been) written.
Every January, the tennis fans converge upon Melbourne Park to watch the world's best tennis players slug it out to claim the Australian Open title. Being one of the four annual "Grand Slam" events, the title is always hotly contested. Spectators who can afford to hang in there for the two whole weeks of the annual tournament are guaranteed to catch glimpses of just about every great contemporary player.
Who needs the Olympics when the fun goes on year-round in Melbourne?•
