Melbourne
Greater Melbourne is set around the shores of Port Phillip Bay, while the city centre is laid out in a large rectangle on the northern banks of the Yarra River, about five kilometres from the bay.
One glance at a map and it's obvious that Melbourne is a planned city: a tidy, balanced grid of neatly angled streets. But beneath this lies a restless creative energy constantly pushing back at the city's seeming conservatism.
Fast Facts about Melbourne
The capital of Victoria, Melbourne is an exciting metropolitan city unlike any other in Australia.
Establised in 1835 by adventurous Tasmanian farmer, John Batman and businessman John Pascoe Fawkner, it is the only major Australian city not founded as a convict colony.
A person from Melbourne is referred to as a "Melbournian".
Melbourne is the third largest 'Greek city' in the world. It is also referred to as 'Little Italy'.
Melbournes Chinatown, established in 1854, is one of the oldest in the world. It is also home to the worlds longest Chinese dragon at more than 100 meters in length.
Melbourne was named the worlds top sports events city in 2006 after hosting the Commonwealth games.
