Melbourne, the state capital of Australia's smallest mainland state, Victoria, is a major destination of visitors to Australia.
It is a centre of both the arts and commerce and is a cultural melting pot of what are new and old in Australia.
Various Melbourne buildings in the style of Victorian and Gothic architecture sit alongside more modern steel and glass structures in a juxtaposition of old and new.
In fact, Melbourne travel opens doors to a combination of past heritage and future promise. The many Melbourne sightseeing attractions do cater for the many tastes of those visiting Australia.
Interestingly, Melbourne is a sister city to various places around the globe including Milan, Italy; St Petersburg, Russia; Thessaloniki, Greece; and Tianjin, China.
Take the City Circle tram
In Melbourne, the tram (or streetcar, if you please) is still pretty much king, and the free City Circle tram guides Melbourne travel and etches out the Melbourne city centre rectangle bounded by La Trobe, Harbour Esplanade, Flinders and Spring Sts, with a spur into the developing Docklands. The equally free and newer City Tourist Shuttle takes another route in the city.
This is very much first call for Melbourne travel and sightseeing: take the City Circle tram or Tourist Shuttle, note the many points of interest along its route, and alight as necessary for an extended discovery stop.
Flinders St Station is a logical place to start a Melbourne travel and sightseeing tour. Just across Swanston St is Federation Square with the Melbourne Visitor Centre at the corner of Swanston and Flinders Sts.
Federation Square is a destination in itself — with an art gallery, museum, wine centre and a variety of dining venues. Spend time there now or return to it later.
Northside
On the northern side of Flinders St is St Paul's Cathedral where you can indulge in a spot of prayer and a browse of the fine Gothic revivalist architectural detail.
If prayers are not your strong point, cross back across Swanston St to Young & Jackson's Hotel where the nude painting, Chloe — judged indecent at the 1880 Melbourne Exhibition — hangs in an upstairs bar (unless it's temporarily at an art gallery or touring to raise money for charity).
If it's not too early for it, have a beer or two at the pub before continuing on your Melbourne travel tour.
The Treasury Gardens are at the eastern end of Flinders St where the Melbourne City Circle tram turns north into Spring St. The Old Treasury Building is just up the road.
In the Bourke St area close to the Parliament House are a number of cafes and restaurants where you may want brief respite from your Melbourne sightseeing tour. Stop for morning tea, or just a breather, before going farther north on Spring St to the Carlton Gardens where you will find the new Melbourne Museum which was completed in 2000.
You may also want to visit the adjacent Royal Exhibition Building, the first Australian building among the United Nations-inscribed World Heritage sites.
If you go back to the Melbourne City Circle tram line, you can turn west into LaTrobe St where you will find the State Library. The Old Royal Mint is a few blocks farther west close to Flagstaff Station which fronts the Flagstaff Gardens.
Detour to the market
If you wish you can alight here from your tram and walk north on your Melbourne sightseeing tour through Peel St (or buy a ticket and get on the Peel St tram) to the Queen Victoria Market for some shopping. Or you can take a guided tour. Back to La Trobe St later, and then it’s on to Docklands and the Harbour Esplanade.
Southside
Across the Yarra River from the Melbourne City Centre lies Crown Casino with its gaming halls, hotel rooms and shops.
Melbourne's Southbank stretching from the Melbourne Exhibition Centre, then past the casino, to the Southgate Complex is dotted with boutiques and restaurants and is a good place to stop, on your Melbourne sightseeing tour, for a leisurely lunch and a glass or two of Australian wine.
From there you can stop by the Melbourne Concert Hall and the Performing Arts Museum, before proceeding to the National Gallery of Victoria where you come face to face with the art treasures in its keeping.
Gardens galore
The nearby Queen Victoria Gardens and the Alexandra Gardens across Alexandra Ave should be good spots for resting weary feet, before proceeding on your Melbourne sightseeing tour to the Sidney Myer Music Bowl, famous for its open air concerts, and Government House in the Kings Domain.
The Royal Botanic Gardens Melbourne and the Shrine of Remembrance are close by and worth a visit as well.
