Melbourne

Central Business District

Melbourne Central Business District (CBD) is the heart of the city, and where the majority of business gets done. Though the CBD's main attractions lie on the river banks, you should also venture inland to find the "laneway" culture; lots of little pedestrianized streets offering shops and cafes. Queen Victoria Market is also great for shopping and very popular for purchasing those all important souvenirs. Federation Square is the centrepiece of the area; it's a meeting place for visitors and tourists and a great place to sit, eat and watch the world go by. The National Gallery of Victoria: Australia Collection is here as well as the Australian Centre for the Moving Image. Further along the river is the Melbourne Aquarium, its small size is deceptive as the majority of the exhibits are hiding underground.

Southbank

Just across the river from the CBD is the Southbank, where it's all about fun and relaxation on a Melbourne holiday. You can take a stroll along the banks of the river Yarra, or a river cruise if you prefer, to see the architecture, graffiti art and natural beauty of the vein of water that runs through Melbourne. The Crown Entertainment Complex offers a whole host of entertainment to suit every taste, and you can browse the fine art collections at the National Gallery of Victoria if you're after a cultural fill. View all of Melbourne from above at the Eureka Tower or get away from the hustle and bustle by heading to the Royal Botanical Gardens, where you can find plants and flowers from across Australasia.

Docklands

Though there's not much to see in Melbourne's docklands, it is a great place to stay in a hotel as it's close to both the CBD and the Southbank. Plus the docklands have great transport links so it's easy to get around. It's slightly quieter, and you've got a better chance of getting a great deal too.

Suburbs

Melbourne's sprawling suburbs are easily accessible thanks to the great public transport, so it's easy to head off to some of the attractions and see a little more of the city. The south east area of Glen Iris is the population hub and the most popular residential area so staying here will give you a less touristy perspective. Out to the north, the Melbourne Zoo, Museum and the Old Melbourne Gaol await whilst to the northwest is the historic Melbourne Cricket Ground. Why not try to catch a county cricket match here? It may not be the Ashes but the ground is beautiful. Out to the west, the interactive world of Scienceworks awaits and to the south there are beaches galore, with St. Kilda, with its historic Luna Park Amusements, and Brighton Beach the most picturesque.

Further Afield

There are a whole host of interesting attractions in the areas surrounding Melbourne, just waiting for you to hire a car and explore! Investigate the history of the gold rush at Central Deborah Bendigo, or Australia's relationship with the sea at the Flagstaff Hill Maritime Museum. Animal lovers will be torn between seeing the penguin march and natural wonders of Phillip Island, Healsville Wildlife Sanctuary and Werribee Open Range Zoo. History lovers may favour Werribee though as the Park Mansion there is one of Australia's oldest and grandest homes. If beaches are your thing, then Bells Beach is a world-class beach that's pretty close to the city.