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Planning a short visit to Melbourne? Check out 48 Hours In Melbourne, your online guide for short stays and weekend getaways.

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Sitting proudly at the head of the Port Philip Bay, Melbourne is one of Australia’s largest and most popular cities. It alternates between being sophisticated and rough – filled with Victorian-era streetscapes, Manhattan-style buildings, buzzing markets, and crowded beaches. Even though has embraced the modern age with its cutting-edge developments and contemporary styles, it has retained a laid-back attitude, making it a breath of fresh air from frenzied urban cities.

Melbourne was founded back in 1835, when it was discovered by settlers from the island now known as Tasmania. The city’s very first census actually revealed its population to not be more than 180 people, although today it eclipses that number significantly at nearly 3.9 million. Its prominence at present can be traced back to the Victorian gold rush of the 1850s, which helped transform the city into one of the wealthiest in the world at the time.

Filled with Character

If there’s any word that best describes Melbourne as a city, it is multicultural. In fact, it is often referred to as the “Cultural Capital of Australia,” as it is a lively center for the performing arts such as music, dance, theater, and opera. The city is also responsible for giving birth to cultural institutions: Australian film, television, impressionist art movement, and dance. The first-ever full-length feature film was made here, the 1906 classic “The Story of the Kelly Gang” which is on the UNESCO Memory of the World Register.

Melbourne’s rich culture is most evident in its unique and colorful festivals that spring up every month. Some of the most famous are the Flickerfest, Melbourne International Jazz Festival, Melbourne International Arts Festival, and Melbourne International Comedy Festival. The city’s people are also rabid football fans – few audiences are as devoted and rowdy.

For the Eyes Only

Melbourne is not only a place of culture, but of historical and architectural sites as well. All over the city, one can find an array of Victorian buildings that rarely fail to impress. The suburb of Carlton is particularly popular, often called “Little Italy” for its strong Italian heritage, and is home to UNESCO World Heritage Sites like the Carlton Gardens and the Royal Exhibition Building.

For pure sightseeing enjoyment, tourists are encouraged to try out the views at the Eureka Tower, which at 92 stories high is the highest apartment building in the world. The suburb of Parkville features some nice parks and zoos, Prahran is known for its chic fashion boutiques, while St. Kilda has some of the most scenic beaches in the region.

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