Official language: English
Time zone: UTC+10
(summer),
UTC+11
(winter)
Currency: Australian dollar (AUD)
The most delicious local products you will get in Queen Victoria Market, a huge market place situated in a lovely hall. You will buy there local, fresh fruits and vegetables, bread, meat and seafood.
Where to feel it best? In the very centre of Melbourne from morning to afternoon small streets are full of people. Step by for coffee to one of open for street view cafés and inhale the vibe.
No one can create their enclave like Chinese do. It is best to visit Chinatown in Melbourne in the evenings, when main streets are lighted by characteristic red lampions.
One of the few Australian towns, which didn’t use to be a British penalty colony in its beginnings, but was the city established from grounds. When in the 50’s of the 20th century the most precious of ore was discovered in the region of Melbourne, a golden rush has begun. In this period, Melbourne quickly has become one of the biggest port city in the area.
Sightseeing the city should definitely be started from the Eureka Tower. From the height of the 88th floor you will see the city in its whole magnificence in each of directions. Don’t be afraid it is too high to see details. There are small telescopes located on the floor, thanks to which you will be able to see what coffee is recommended on a given day by a small café on a corner street. There is also something for those liking doses for adrenaline – a glass platform, that is sliding out of the building for 3 metres. Do you have shivers already?
If you prefer to visit the city in more traditional way, go for a walk to the oldest, harbour part of Melbourne. Take a walk through the boardwalk alongside seaside or sit down in one of the eateries, imaging movement in the port like it used to be 150 years ago – throwing over packages with goods from England, loading boxes with mined there gold, trading of spices or sailors jolly disembarking from ships to the ground.
Who said that art can be only admired in galleries or museums? In Melbourne art is located literally on every street. In neighbourhood of Federation Square in the city centre, find Graffiti Street, a low-key street on out-of-the-way place. You will see there amazing paintings on walls of town houses. Each square metre is filled with another colourful character, hidden in paintings objects or little doors.
Prickle of excitement is waiting for you in Old Goel prison. You will not only visit there a building with cells and gallows, but also take part in a play. Actors are presenting a story of Ned Kelly, hanged in 1854, and eagerly drag in spectators to common fun. Do you want to know why the story is focused on a life of one prisoner? He wasn’t a plain guy, but sort of a local Robin Hood. Legends of his actions have lived to this day.
