Founded in 1835, by European settlers, Melbourne was the scene of an unprecedented boom during the 1850s, when gold was discovered in the area. Its population grew massively and, by 1880, it was the richest city in the world. Today, little remains from the old Victorian city, but Melbourne is still one of the most impressive metropolis on Earth.
Australia’s second most important city has been in constant competition with Sydney, and over time, they’ve disputed supremacy in pretty much every field, from economy to culture and even tourism. One of the most important victories over the “Emerald City” was Melbourne’s top ranking in a list of best cities to live in. They both scored points for quality of life and infrastructure, but Melbourne got the decisive advantage in the weather department.
Melbourne can be described as the definition of mild weather. During the summer months (January, February) temperatures stay under 30 degrees Celsius, while in the winter (July, August) you won’t freeze, but you won’t feel like sunbathing either. The best times to travel to Melbourne are in spring and autumn, when you may experience all four seasons in just one day, a phenomenon that makes this city unique.
As far as locals are concerned, Melbourne is just as pleasantly surprising as the weather. A true Mecca of cultural diversity, Melbourne has always welcomed everyone, regardless of race, religion or culture and the over 2,500 restaurants serving every cuisine, from Balinese to Chinese or Italian, stand as proof. All the immigrant cultures formed small enclaves around the city and you’ll find Little Italy on Lygon Street, Chinatown in the Central Business District (CBD) and the Greek zone on Lonsdale. Melbourne is actually called the third greatest Greek city, after Athens and Salonic, for the large community that thrives here.
Along with the old Victorian houses, around which towering skyscrapers have emerged, Melbourne’s trams are true symbols of the city. Over a century after they were first introduced they remain the most popular form of urban transportation. Sporting 500 trams and 245 km of tram track, Melbourne hosts the largest tram network on Earth. While vacationing here, hop aboard the City-Circle Tram and it will show you all the attractions around Melbourne’s CBD, for free.
One of the most intriguing places in Melbourne is Docklands. An old, neglected shipyard, Docklands has recently turned into a bohemian escape from day-to-day routine where street theater performers and graffiti artists put on a show for tourists and youngsters who just want to hang out and drink beer.
Whatever the season, Melbourne is buzzing with cultural exhibitions, festivals and sporting events that earned it the title of cultural capital of Australia. Every January, during the Australian Open, Melburnians show their love for tennis by filling the arenas at every game and engaging in endless debates regarding the local players’ chances of winning the coveted trophy. Other notable events include the Melbourne International Film Festival, Melbourne Cup Festival and Melbourne International Comedy Festival. One thing is for sure, whatever you’re into, whether it’s culture, sports, or fun, you’ll definitely find it in Melbourne.
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