The Old Melbourne Goal

www.oldmelbournegoal.com.au

Only two blocks from the Museum and Libary on Russell Street, is the Old Melbourne Goal. It is a very fine, if frightening example of 19th century penal culture. During its life it saw the execution of 135 prisoners including, most famously, the hanging of Ned Kelly, Australia's most famous bushranger.

Melbourne Aquarium

www.melbourneaquarium.com.au

On the bank of the Yarra, at the corner of King Street and Queenswharf Road, is the Melbourne Aqaurium where clear walk-through tunnels on four different levels offer viewers different marine environements, including an oceanarium, rock pools and billabongs. There are 3200 animals from 150 different species and 3 simulator rides which simulate dives with sharks and rides with dolphins.

Melbourne Museum

www.museum.vic.gov.au

Adjacent the Exhibition Building, in Carlton Gardens, is the enormous Melbourne Museum. Included are regular live performances, 3D IMAX and immersion reality theatres, living exhibits, night programs and public art.

The Colonial Tramcar Restaurant

This unique "Best Melbourne Tour" is a showcase of Melbourne's charm. Since it began in 1983, the colonial tramcar resturant has become a star attraction in Melbourne. As it travels the scenic streets of Melbourne, diners can enjoy fine cuisine and drink from the very best of Australian wines. Bookings are essential.

Rialto Towers

The Melbourne Observation Deck on the 55th floor provides a 360-degree panorama of the city with views on a clear day to Port Philip Bay. Admission includes a 20 minute film and use of high powered binoculars.

Federation Square

Federation Square is a central and unifying public space, a landmark and a cultural magnet brigning together exquisite gardens, innovative architecture and engineering.Close by is the Ian Potter Centre, incorporating the National Gallery of Victoria, ACMI, the Australian Thoroughbred Racing Museum, SBS, Melbourne Visitor Centre, cafes and resturants.

Victorian Arts Centre

The Southbank Arts Centre is Melbourne's predominant cultural landmark and the foremost venue for performances by the Australian Ballet, Australian Opera, and the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra.  It also encompasses the Melbourne Concert Hall, the Arts Complex, and the national Gallery of Victoria.

Sunday Markets at the Arts Centre

The Sunday Market showcases over 150 stalls of Victoria's finest artisan' work. Gifted Artisans and crafts people market their hand made wares from quaint shops, studios and bazaars where the artist, artisan, miner or crafts person by being on-hand, provides the visitor with the opportunity to buy first hand.

Queen Victoria Market

www.qvm.com.au

The Queen Vic is both an historic land mark and a shopping institution which dates back to 1866 (the facade was added in 1878). Part of the complex sits on Melbourne's first cemetery. Traditionally a wholesale fresh fruit, vegetable and seafood market, it now combines these with a vast range of shopping possibilities in food, clothing, toys, trinkets, new-age items, and other produce. It is situated on the northern side of town, on Victoria Street, by the Peel Street corner.

Melbourne Cricket Ground, the Australian Gallery of Sport and the Olympic Museum

www.mcg.com.au

the MCG is known and loved by cricket fans around the world. It can lay claim to being the home of cricket in Australia. It was here, as early as 1862, that the first international cricket match was held and in 1877 the first England-Australia test was also held on this ground. The main attraction is the Australian Gallery of Sport and Olympic Museum which documents Australian Sporting history and its cultural significance through a vast quantity of interesting sporting memorabilia, including 1956 Olympic cauldron and wild olive branches awarded in the 1986 Athens Olympics. Audio tours are also available. 

Princess Theatre

Designed by one of Australia's most creative architects, WIlliam Pitt. An elaborate ornate building, circa 1886, refurbished in the late 1980s for the long running production of "phantom of the Opera". Said to be haunted by the ghost of the actor Frederici. The theatre, located directly accross the road from parliment Gardens, is one of Melbourne's Broadway style venues, along with the Regent Theatre on Collins Street.

Windsor Hotel

Opened in 1883, the Windsor Hotel is the city's grandest historic hotel. It is home to one of Melbourne's proudest institutions, the ritual of Afternoon Tea, served daily between 3.30pm to 5.30pm. The Windsor hosts themed buffet afternoon teas on weekend, such as the Chocolate Indulgaence with a vast selection of chocolates, chocolate cakes and chocolate desserts.

Shirne of Remembrance

Melbourne's War Memorial is located within the King's Domain Gardens. Dedicated in 1934 to commemorate the fallen in World War II, Korea, Malaya, Borneo, Vietnam and the Gulf War. The temple style structure is designed so that at 11.00am on Remembrance Day, th e11th day of the 11th month, a beam of sunlight passes over the Stone of Remembrance in teh Inner Shrine. In the Forecourt is an enternal flame.

Lygon Street

Lygon Street is a perfect example of melbourne's sucessful multiculturalism. When once you would have only seen Italian restaurants, there are now Thai, Afghan, malay, Caribbean and Greek coffee shops, cafes and restuarants. The area has great colour, particuarly at night when the sidewalks are bustling with diners and sightseers.

Chinatown 

Situated on Little Bourke and the neighbouring lanes between Spring and Swanston Streets, restuarants, cafes and Asian grocery stores dominate the precinct. Chinatown is a bustling thoroughfare with people, sounds and smells to invite and entice. Chinese medicine, music, resturants, gold and jewellery, unique and exotic gifts, cinema, events and festivals, the museum of Chinese history and karaoke are all major features of Chinatown.