Melbourne is the capital of the southern state of Victoria and is also considered by many to be the country’s cultural and cosmopolitan capital with a huge array of wonderful attractions for visitors including large parks, museums, galleries, theatres and trendy shops. Melbourne is a beautiful, modern city and a popular destination for all many visitors to Australia.
Recent archeological discoveries have shown that the Melbourne city area was originally inhabited by the Paleo-Indians sometime during the Pleistocene epoch. Some of these findings include human remains, tools, and weapons made from bones and other substances. However, modern-day Melbourne was first settled in 1867 after the civil war. Although the area remained quite undeveloped for over a decade, more new settlers arrived in 1877, among them three freed black men.
Originally known as Crane Creek, the name was changed to Melbourne in honor of Cornthwaite John Hector, a former resident of Melbourne, Australia, and the first postmaster of the city. Melbourne grew rapidly in the 1880s especially with the construction of the first school and the first church in the town. By 1885, there were 70 people living in Melbourne.
During the early 1900s, the city was completely destroyed by a fire, and a new town sprouted along US Hwy 1. The town was notoriously affected by the Jim Crow laws, with racial discrimination against people of color going on until the late 1960s. In 1969, the residents of the city of Eau Gallie and those of Melbourne City voted in favor of the amalgamation of the two cities. Consequently, Melbourne’s total area increased to twice its original size.
Today, Melbourne is a simple city with lots of great modern features, natural attractions and historical points of interest. There are numerous well maintained public parks for the area residents and visitors to enjoy, including the likes of Wickham Park and Ballard Park on the Indian River Lagoon. This makes tourism one of the main sources of income in the city, together with the burgeoning tech industry. Other notable features of the city include two well-established business districts that resulted from the merger with Eau Gallie, great infrastructure and a well-established education system.
In early 2017, a crowd of around 10,000 people gathered at the Orlando Melbourne International Airport, outside Melbourne’s downtown district, to attend President Donald Trump’s post-inauguration rally.
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Historic Downtown Melbourne is a vibrant shopping and entertainment destination on Florida’s Space Coast. Home to unique stores like Downtown Divas, The Flop Shop, The Irish Shop, Indian River Soap, and many more, you’ll be able to find one-of-a-kind items and gifts to take home with you. And while you’re down there, enjoy a meal at one of the 20 places to choose from. Monthly events are hosted to foster a sense of community and culture and are usually free to the general public..
THINGS TO DO AND SEE IN MELBOURNE
- In the city centre you’ll find Eureka Tower, the tallest residential building in the southern hemisphere with fantastic panoramic views over the whole of Melbourne. Nearby the Docklands you’ll find some excellent shops, cafes, bars, family activities and scheduled events from a picturesque waterside setting. To find out all about the history of Australia, there are some great museums on offer. Immigration Museum on Flinders Street provides many moving stories from people who have migrated to Australia.
- Just outside the city centre, you’ll find Carlton and many historical buildings including Melbourne Museum, the largest in the southern hemisphere with many interesting and interactive galleries. The Royal Exhibition Building in Carlton Gardens is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the world’s oldest remaining exhibition pavilions. St. Kilda is Melbourne’s beachside attraction and a very popular destination for beachcombers and those looking for either a great place to relax and take in the atmosphere or party the night away in a trendy bar.
- If you’re looking to travel a little way out the city then the Great Ocean Road will take you along the south-western stretch of Victoria and 243km of some outstanding coastal scenery. Some highlights on your way include Split Point Lighthouse, Marriner’s Lookout in Apollo Bay and Otway National park. Philip Island is located at the mouth of Western Port Bay, less than 2 hour’s drive from Melbourne. The island has many attractions but the most famous is the parade of penguins on Summerland Beach where at sunset, you can see the penguins walk up the beach to their nests from the sea.
EATING OUT & NIGHTLIFE IN MELBOURNE
Melbourne is regarded as being one of the best destinations in the world for eating out. Whatever your taste or budget, there will be great tasting food on the menu. You’ll find great eateries anywhere, but some of the more popular destinations include the Docklands and St. Kilda. Melbourne also has a rich coffee culture from the Victorian days and if you’re looking to party, the city is open 24×7.
GETTING AROUND IN MELBOURNE
Walking and cycling are two great ways to get around Melbourne and the city makes it easy by being generally flat and offering an excellent network of cycle paths. Many cycle paths are shared with pedestrians, dog walkers and skaters so it’s worth being vigilant as you travel. The public transport system is known as the Metlink and consists of buses, trains and trams and it’s the trams that offer a great way to see the city at a leisurely pace.
There are a million ways to have a perfect day in Melbourne. Here’s one recipe for success:
> Morning:
If you’re looking for a leisurely breakfast scene, you won’t find it at the tiny Patricia coffeehouse. But if you’d rather get a quick caffeine fix in the form of an exquisite brew, head to this local favorite.
Take yours to go and join up with a 10 o’clock “Lanes and Arcades” walking tour with local outfitter Hidden Secrets to delve into the city center’s famously enchanting back alleys and side streets.
Fiona Sweetman designed wedding dresses before trying her hand at the tourism business. Now she presides over a crew of guides who dish out the best local intel in the city.
“In 1982, there were 6,000 people living in the CBD. Today, there are 190,000 people living here,” she tells our group as we stroll Melbourne’s busy streets.
Fiona deftly weaves tales of Melbourne’s history with the sights we see. The elegance of the architecture is surprising, as is the number of outdoor tables packed onto the slim sidewalks.
Melbourne’s coffee culture may get all the press, but Fiona talks about the city’s tea traditions and shows us the oldest tea room in the city, 19th-century Hopetoun, in the Block Arcade.
After the tour, head to The Hill of Content bookstore. When Fiona mentioned its name, I immediately wondered if the word content was a reference to how creative works are so ubiquitously described these days, or if it alluded to living a satisfied life.
Either way, the name is absolutely perfect. And if you’re happy browsing books for hours, you’ll love the intimate space with a great selection of titles by local authors.
> Afternoon:
Take the tram and break for a plate of steak frites and other French fare at stylish Entrecôte. Located in a beautiful home on the edge of the South Yarra neighborhood, the restaurant has balcony and garden seating.
Tip: Look for the take-out window hawking coffee and quick snacks, a favorite stop for locals in the morning.
Just opposite Entrecôte is one of the entrances to the Royal Botanic Gardens. Sited on the banks of the Yarra River, this charming green space offers a peaceful respite from the urban rush. I loved exploring its tiny lakes and islands, as well as its specialty gardens, ranging from camellias and roses to ferns and oak trees.
After getting a healthy dose of nature, devote a couple of hours to soaking up culture in one of Melbourne’s impressive museums. The National Gallery Victoria is closest to Entrecôte and offers free general admission for its permanent collections.
Another great option in the CBD is the lesser known Immigration Museum, famous for a huge model ship in the Journeys Gallery, which can be found in the Old Customs House.
> Evening:
Return to the CBD at happy hour for a cocktail at Belleville Bar on Globes Alley, where rotisserie chicken is the draw and the drinks menu gives recommendations tailored to different social situations.
For instance, say you’re with family on a mid-week evening. Try a gimlet. On a romantic date during cocktail hour? You’ll want to go with Charlie’s Chocolate Martini. No matter what you order, this place is just straight-up fun.
Continue on to dinner at Emilia on Gills Alley, a tiny dead-end lane off of Little Collins Street. During the day, the white-tiled space serves coffee and lighter meals and feels as if it could be an artist’s studio.
> Late Night:
If you’re in the mood for live music, the Northcote Social Club offers up a relaxed vibe and tasty bar snacks in addition to its tempting line-up. Plus, it’s in a cool neighborhood north of Fitzroy, Carlton, and Collingwood.
> Overnight:
Rest up in the welcoming Hotel Lindrum, a boutique property housed in a former printing house and billiards hall that’s named for longtime pool champion Wally Lindrum.
Today, guests can hone their skills in the lobby’s cozy billiards room over a nightcap or two.
Tipple a few too many? When you wake up, you’ll want to go with the avocado and feta smash—served on local sourdough toast with a poached egg on top—for a deliciously healthy breakfast to start another perfect day in Melbourne.
