Melbourne, the capital city of Victoria, Australia has a population of over four million, and is an important national centre of arts, commerce, sport, tourism and entertainment. This article examines some cultural and sporting attractions in this city, as well as identifying a convenient Melbourne Airport accommodation option.
Melbourne is centred at the mouth of the River Yarra in the state of Victoria. The Yarra flows here into Port Philip Bay (known locally as The Bay). Port Philip Bay has a shoreline of about 260 kilometres, and the city of Melbourne is mostly located around the northern and eastern parts of the bay.
There are a number of sheltered beaches on Port Philip Bay. Most can be found in Melbourne's south eastern suburbs, such as Port Melbourne, Albert Park and St. Kilda. Visitors seeking surfing beaches will have to travel a bit further from the city centre. The nearest surfing beaches are about 80 kilometres from the CBD (Central Business District).
Port Philip Bay was first explored by John Murray on the Lady Nelson in 1802, closely followed by Matthew Flinders on the Investigator. The first settlement by Europeans was at Sorrento, but it was soon abandoned (1804), and it was thirty more years before permanent settlements were founded. The settlement at Bearbrass, at the mouth of the Yarra river, was founded in 1835 by settlers from Tasmania, which was then known as Van Diemen's Land. In 1837 Bearbrass was renamed Melbourne in honour of the British politician Lord Melbourne.
Melbourne was made a city in 1845, and in 1851 it became the state capital of Victoria. It experienced major growth as a result of the Victoria Gold Rush in the 1850s. At that time the Australian population tripled, and two tons of gold per week were being exported through Melbourne.
Today the city is an important sporting and cultural centre. In the field of culture there are a number of major annual events held in Melbourne, including international film and comedy festivals. Melbourne is the birthplace of Australian film and TV, and in fact the first ever feature length film was made in Melbourne in 1906. The film about outlaw Ned Kelly cost just 1125 pounds to make!
Melbourne is also noted as a world centre for sports. It has hosted the Summer Olympics (1956), and the Commonwealth Games (2006), and every year it hosts three major international events: the Australian Open (tennis), the Melbourne Cup (horse racing), and the Australian Grand Prix (Formula One Racing). The Australian Open is one of the four Grand Slam tournaments in tennis. It is held every January at Melbourne Park. The Melbourne Cup is held at Flemington Racecourse in November. It is a two mile flat race for three year olds.
Visitors to Melbourne will probably fly into Melbourne Airport at Tullamarine. The airport is an international hub for Qantas and Virgin Blue, and there are domestic flights to all other Australian state capitals. There are many options for Melbourne airport accommodation. One possibility is the Hilton Melbourne International Airport Hotel. This is connected to the airport by a covered walkway, while still being just twenty minutes away from Melbourne's city centre.
Melbourne is centred at the mouth of the River Yarra in the state of Victoria. The Yarra flows here into Port Philip Bay (known locally as The Bay). Port Philip Bay has a shoreline of about 260 kilometres, and the city of Melbourne is mostly located around the northern and eastern parts of the bay.
There are a number of sheltered beaches on Port Philip Bay. Most can be found in Melbourne's south eastern suburbs, such as Port Melbourne, Albert Park and St. Kilda. Visitors seeking surfing beaches will have to travel a bit further from the city centre. The nearest surfing beaches are about 80 kilometres from the CBD (Central Business District).
Port Philip Bay was first explored by John Murray on the Lady Nelson in 1802, closely followed by Matthew Flinders on the Investigator. The first settlement by Europeans was at Sorrento, but it was soon abandoned (1804), and it was thirty more years before permanent settlements were founded. The settlement at Bearbrass, at the mouth of the Yarra river, was founded in 1835 by settlers from Tasmania, which was then known as Van Diemen's Land. In 1837 Bearbrass was renamed Melbourne in honour of the British politician Lord Melbourne.
Melbourne was made a city in 1845, and in 1851 it became the state capital of Victoria. It experienced major growth as a result of the Victoria Gold Rush in the 1850s. At that time the Australian population tripled, and two tons of gold per week were being exported through Melbourne.
Today the city is an important sporting and cultural centre. In the field of culture there are a number of major annual events held in Melbourne, including international film and comedy festivals. Melbourne is the birthplace of Australian film and TV, and in fact the first ever feature length film was made in Melbourne in 1906. The film about outlaw Ned Kelly cost just 1125 pounds to make!
Melbourne is also noted as a world centre for sports. It has hosted the Summer Olympics (1956), and the Commonwealth Games (2006), and every year it hosts three major international events: the Australian Open (tennis), the Melbourne Cup (horse racing), and the Australian Grand Prix (Formula One Racing). The Australian Open is one of the four Grand Slam tournaments in tennis. It is held every January at Melbourne Park. The Melbourne Cup is held at Flemington Racecourse in November. It is a two mile flat race for three year olds.
Visitors to Melbourne will probably fly into Melbourne Airport at Tullamarine. The airport is an international hub for Qantas and Virgin Blue, and there are domestic flights to all other Australian state capitals. There are many options for Melbourne airport accommodation. One possibility is the Hilton Melbourne International Airport Hotel. This is connected to the airport by a covered walkway, while still being just twenty minutes away from Melbourne's city centre.
About the Author:
Jasmine Zahara is actually a highly regarded blogger with a place of work in Melbourne Accommodation and is well educated about this region of Australia. Jasmine is currently writing on all provincial Victorian subjects and recognises Beechworth Victoria as just one of the most alluring country Australia spots.
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