Australian Tourism and Melbourne
Tourist Attractions and Shopping in Melbourne, Australia
There's more to Australian tourism than Fosters beer and beaches. Some Melbourne attractions are the Federation Square, Bourke Street Shopping, Victoria Market, and more.
Melbourne’s Attractions
Tourism in Australia is quite opposed to the conventional connotations of the term. The heady mix of cultures and races results in a cosmopolitan mix that’s unique, exhilarating and constantly changing. Depending on what you’re looking for, there is a variety of sports, arts, culture, and striking landscapes awaiting discovery.
Federation Square
While on the topic of attractions of Melbourne, one can’t quite decide whether the Federation Square qualifies as an attraction or an eyesore. The jury is still out on that one. It sits smack bang in the middle of the city of Melbourne, right opposite the magnificent Flinders’ Street Station.
This might probably be the wackiest piece of architecture you’ve ever seen, but it houses an incredible variety of entertainment and art venues. Art lovers! Prepare to spend the better part of a day here. The Ian Potter Centre, the National Gallery of Victoria or NGV, Australian Centre for the Moving Image, Australian Racing Museum, and the National Design Centre among others, are some top attractions of Melbourne located here. Other than these, about 15 restaurants and cafes give you a choice of culinary escapades.
Victoria Market
Melbourne shopping is not complete without a visit to this shopping mecca. While here, all roads lead to the Victoria Market; probably the largest flea market in this part of the world. Get your souvenirs and anything else from fresh fruit to jewellery and designer clothes at great prices at this 19th century shopping behemoth. Wear comfortable shoes as there’s plenty of ground to cover. To take a break, just grab a latte at the friendly street cafés, and watch the world go by.
Bourke Street Shopping
Bourke Street is where you get serious retail therapy. Major stores such as Myers, David Jones and Target hold sway with a host of other hip fashion outlets in the fray. Bags, shoes, jewellery, souvenirs, books, CDs and cool stuff vie for your attention. Chances are you’ll be entertained by street musicians or a hula hoopster with an apparently elastic midriff, if you decide to seat yourself down on the park benches in this pedestrian shopping strip. There is Village Cinemas in the vicinity, if you want to catch the latest movies.
St. Kilda Road
For the scenic side of Melbourne's attractions, take the St. Kilda Road. The Royal Botanic Gardens with a faint British twist, the Australian Rainforest Walk displaying native flora, the Domain Parklands housing the Myer Music Bowl where the famous Christmas Carols by Candlelight event takes place, are all in the vicinity. This tree lined avenue showcases the best of Melbourne and is a photographer’s delight. The Shrine of Remembrance and the Victoria Barracks lend a touch of history to the area.
There’s plenty more to see and do in this exciting city with an endearing laid back bonhomie. The fun continues outside city limits on the Grand Ocean Road, Philip Island, Grampians, Mornington Peninsula and other interesting spots that are inimitably Aussie.
