Melbourne Facts

Melbourne is a city of neighborhoods. Italian or Chinese, groovy or chic, bohemian or beachside - Melbourne has them all. Each has its own character instilled by the type of people who live and work there - émigrés from all over the world who have brought their customs, beliefs, businesses, food, art and style to the city.

The Central Business District

Laid out as a grid, the city center is easy to navigate. The modern skyline of the financial district contrasts with well-preserved Victorian architecture, and the alley ways and arcades that snake through the city give it all charm and character. Swanston Street, a pedestrian mall generally considered to be the city's main drag, runs from...

...who doesn't adore it. Melbournians are much more passionate about it than Sydneysiders are of their city, and it shows. I'm biased, of course, because I've chosen it for my home, and here are just a few of the reasons why: Victoria's capital and Australia's largest city, Melbourne (pronounced Mel-bun) is a cultural melting pot. For a start, more people of Greek descent live here than in any other city except Athens. Chinese, Italian, Vietnamese, and Lebanese immigrants have all left their mark. Almost a third of Melbournians were born overseas or have parents who were born overseas. With such a diverse population, and with trams rattling through the streets and stately European architecture...