Melbourne  Melbourne is the capital of Victoria and Australia’s second largest city and was founded in 1835. On 8 June 1835 John Batman rowed up the Yarra River and when landed he chose “place for a village”. First name for the settlement was ‘Bearbrass’ than ‘Glenelg’ and than Melbourne as a compliment to the Prime Minister of GB. In 1841 the total population of the province was 16,671 and the residents of Melbourne reached only 4479 (2676 males and 1803 females). St James became the Cathedral Church with the founding of the Diocese in 1847. The discovery of gold in the early 1850s had a incredible effect on the growth of Melbourne. By 1854 the colony's population had grown from 80 000 to 300 000. Already in 1851, Victoria was separated from NSW and Melbourne became the capital of new colony. By 1860 the city had reached its first form, which still characterise Melbourne today. Recently refurbished and repainted, Flinders Street Station is original Edwardian baroque building. The finest interwar buildings were commercial. ICI House was one of the first commercial skyscrapers in Australia. In 1958, it was Australia's tallest office building. The main shopping streets such as Bourke Street, Swanston Street, Flinders and Collins Streets are crossed by a mix of narrow lanes and arcades. In 1956 city hosted Olympic Games. It is claimed that Melbourne is the third largest city Greek city in the world and the largest Italian city outside Italy. Melbourne also has a large Chinese community dating from the 1850s gold rush.   Melbourne today:   Melbourne is known for its unpredictable weather what ever the season so be prepared for cool conditions even in the middle of summer. Greater Metropolitan Area today is 8,806 sq km. Melbourne is Australia’s largest container port, handling almost 40% of the nation’s container trade. Population expected to reach 4,000,000 by 2010.   IMPORTANT INFO FOR VISITORS:   Free Melbourne City Tourist Shuttle – it stops at Melbourne Museum and Carlton Gardens; Queen Victoria Market; Melbourne Aquarium; Immigration Museum; Southbank; the Shrine of Remembrance; Royal Botanic Gardens, Chinatown, Exhibition Street at La Trobe Street etc. Melbourne Visitor Centre at Federation Square City Ambassadors - assistance with directions, public transport enquiries, events, and general questions, 7 days a week 10am to 4pm Melbourne Greeter Service - free half day orientation with a volunteer who speaks your language and shares your interests Melbourne Walks – download maps for self-guided Melbourne walks    What to do in Melbourne:   Trips and Tours: Trip and tours links – Melbourne tours Phillip Island Penguin Parade - a natural phenomenon The Haunted Melbourne Ghost Tour Melbourne Sports Tours - Cricket Ground (MCG), Telstra Dome, Rod Laver Arena, Vodafone Arena, Olympic Park, Flemington Race Course, Melbourne Sports & Aquatic Centre (MSAC) and Albert Park Grand Prix Track GreatSights - Tours Go Get Around Tours - variety of coach tours   Activities and Adventures: Koala Golf Tours Williamstown Charters - cruising on waters of Port of Melbourne and the Yarra River Hot air ballooning over Melbourne Luna Park - short stroll from St. Kilda beach Melbourne River Cruises - the city's premiere sightseeing and functions operators Melbourne Seaplanes Bicycle Victoria   Melbourne during the year: Melbourne International Arts Festival Australian Open Tennis Australian Grand Prix; Moomba Waterfest; Melbourne Food and Wine Festival; Melbourne International Comedy Festival; Melbourne International Flower and Garden Show; Melbourne Fringe Festival; Melbourne International Film Festival Melbourne International Arts Festival Melbourne Cup Carnival   Sightseeing and Attractions: Melbourne Visitor Centre Albert Park Lake Arts Centre Australian Grand Prix Corporation Cook’s Cottage Crown Casino Federation Square   - New cultural icon of Melbourne with its ‘Fractal Façade’ system Imax Theatre Luna Park Melbourne & Olympic Parks Melbourne Aquarium Melbourne Observation Deck Melbourne Zoo Old Melbourne Gaol Royal Botanic Gardens Shrine of Remembrance Southgate Arts & Leisure precinct Telstra Dome   What is for free in Melbourne: Free Melbourne City Tourist Shuttle City Circle tram is free, and is a good way to explore the inner-city. Melbourne Greeter Service is free. Royal Botanic Gardens - free guided walks Fitzroy Gardens with a model Tudor village and Captain Cook`s cottage. When Parliament is not sitting, you can get a free guided tour of the State Houses of Parliament. Federation Square – some exhibitions are for free.   Culture: State Library of Victoria Conference Centre, Melbourne Australian Centre for the Moving Image, Federation Square, Melbourne CBD The Astor Theatre, St Kilda - a cinema in the grand old manner, plus Service Full Catering and Bar Old Melbourne Gaol Royal Historical Society of Victoria Geelong Performing Arts Centre Exhibitions and Museums: Melbourne Exhibition & Convention Centre Melbourne Museum Immigration Museum Polly Woodside Melbourne Maritime Museum Scienceworks Museum & Planetarium Fox Classic Car Collection   Galleries: National Gallery of Australia Geelong Gallery - collection of approximately 4,000 works of art Heide Museum of Modern Art - 7 Templestowe Rd, Bulleen, just 15 minutes from CBD McClelland Gallery  + Sculpture Park houses a collection of fine art and works by leading Australian sculptors. Montsalvat The Ian Potter Centre : NGV Australia   Theatres: Bell Shakespeare Co. – 100 St Kilda Rd, Melbourne, Vic 3000 Music Threatre Australia - 204 St Kilda Rd, Southbank, Mordialloc Theatre Company - 62-64 Parkers Rd, Parkdale, Theatre@risk - 6 Cecil Pl, Prahran,   What is going on now in Melbourne: My 24/7 Melbourne City Search   Public transport in Melbourne:   Metcards - Same ticket may be used for travel on trains, trams and buses. Citylink   Skybus - Shuttle express from Melbourne Airport to CBD and back, every 15 minutes / 7 days a week.   Public Transport info: Linking Victoria Meltrip Melbourne public transport Metlink Melbourne Melbourne public transport Viclink regional Victoria transport information TravelSMART     Melbourne Train Connex Melbourne Melbourne Tram Yarra Trams Country Rail V/Line Hoy's Roadlines Melbourne-Shepparton West Coast Railway Melbourne-Geelong-Warrnambool   Ferry Inter Island Ferries  Williamstown Bay & River Cruises Williamstown Ferries    Taxi Services: Arrow: Ph: 132211 Black Cabs: Ph: 132227 Embassy: Ph: 131755 Silver Top: Ph: 131008   Bus/Coach Operators in Melbourne: Melbourne Bus Services Airport Shuttle Xpress City-Airport Buslines Australia Broadmeadows Coaches Cardinia Transit Cranbourne Transit  Driver Bus Lines Dysons Eastrans Bus Service  Grenda Corporation Invicta Bus Service, Ivanhoe Bus Company Kastoria Bus Lines Kefford Corporation Martyrs Bus Service McKenzie's Mee's Bus Lines Melbourne Bus Link Moorabbin Transit Moreland Bus Lines  Mt Dandenong Passenger Services National Bus Company Northern Bus Lines Panorama (Hurstbridge Bus & Coach) Peninsula Bus Lines Portsea Passenger Services Reservoir Bus Co/East West Bus Co Ryan Bros Bus Service  Sita Bus Lines Sunbury Bus Service Skybus City-Airport Tullamarine Bus Lines US Bus Lines Ventura Westrans Bus Service    Coach/Charter Services Australian Coach Travel Bayside Coaches   Coach Tours of Australia Cobb & Co Coaches Crown Coaches DeeDecker Tours Diamond Coaches Dreamtime Tours   Harlan Coach Tours Getaway Tours Melbourne's Best Tours Midland Tours Moreland Travel Nuline Charter Quince's Scenicruisers  Rainbow Tours   Road Runner Travel Sita Coaches The Party Bus Trek Australia Trekset Tours Western Stage Lines     Country Buses/Coach/Tour Services Bacchus Marsh Coaches Ballarat Coachlines Bendigo Airport Service  Bendigo Christian's Bus Co  Country Touch Tours, Marysville Davis Bus Service, Ballarat Gold Bus, Ballarat  Gull Services Geelong-Melbourne Airport Hoy's Roadlines, Wangaratta Latrobe Valley Bus Lines Moe, Traralgon, Morwell, Boolarra, Churchill, Yinnar, Newborough and Yallourn North Mansfield-Mt Buller Bus Lines Melbourne area McHarry's Buslines, Geelong Mountain-Top Experience, Gippsland Mt Hotham Snow Service Mylon Motorways/Twin City Transit  Paynesville Bus Lines Pyle's Falls Creek Coach Service Shepparton Transit Southern Cross Travel & Bendigo Coachlines Bendigo Swan Hill Coaches Swanlink Coachlines   Czech and Slovak community in Melbourne: More is coming…   Are you moving to Melbourne??? Moving to Melbourne – information for students Live in Victoria - Victorian government's portal Australian Immigration   NOOSR  - National Office of Overseas Skills Recognition   Real Estates in Melbourne: Real Estate Melbourne - realestate.com.au Melbourne Real Estate @ domain.com.au   Services: Corporate catering services MC Labour Services Melbourne - Labour Hire Company for Victoria Karstens at CQ conference centre, Melbourne CBD   Professional services: Scuba Diving services Berrigan Doube Lawyers ( Est 1927) - The commercial and business law team acts and advises on legal issues relating to companies, partnerships, sole traders, trusts and commercial joint ventures. Frontyard help for young homeless people or young people in need of support   Shopping: Bridge Road Shopping Precinct Chapel Street Shopping Precinct Prahran Market Queen Victoria Market Melbourne Coach Tour and Shopping Melbourne - Shopping Spree - visiting warehouses and factories by coach, mini-bus or limo.    Opening hours vary, but this can be used as a guide: Supermarkets and fast food outlets are open 24 hours. City shops and tourist areas shops are open: Mon, Tue, Wednesday: 9am – 6pm Thursday and Friday: 9am – 9pm Saturday: 9am – 5pm Sunday: 10am – 5pm   Schools and English Language Schools: Hawthorn English Language Centre  Ozford College RMIT English Worldwide   Private and goverment schools: List of Victorian Government schools List of Victorian NON Government schools and Private schools   Clubs: The Celtic Club - Australia’s First Irish Club, established in 1887 The Naval & Military Club - Business and social club The Last Laugh Comedy Club RACV City Club Austrian Club Melbourne Rotary Club of Melbourne Inc Rugby Business Club   Bars: Three Degrees, Melbourne - merges pub, bar, café and state of the art function facilities Eleven A, Melbourne   Restaurants and cafes: Vue De Monde - 430 Little Collins Street, Melbourne Ezard - 187 Flinders Lane, Melbourne Donovan's House - 40 Jacka Boulevard, St Kilda Cecconis Cantina - 61 Flinders Lane, Melbourne Circa - 2 Acland Street, St Kilda BLUEFIN Level 1 Functions, Fitzroy The Willows, Melbourne The Boathouse, Yarrabank, Melbourne – catering venue The Studio, Port Melbourne Skyline, Melbourne The Victorian, Albert Park Melbourne Museum - Cafe    Pubs Drifter's Alibi, Port Melbourne  Sport Events: Australian Grand Prix Corporation AFL football, or 'Aussie Rules' Spring Racing Carnival - October and November every year Australian Tennis Open - January  Sport Venues: AFL Hall of Fame & Sensation Melbourne Cricket Ground Melbourne Sports & Aquatic Centre Melbourne & Olympic Parks Sunbury Bowling Club   Newspapers:  The Age   Melbourne weather:  Melbourne Weather Victorian Weather and Warnings Bureau of Meteorology   Accommodation in Melbourne   All links are to original hotel website /only if it is quoted otherwise/ which will give you the best information. Please check them out. But you can get usually better deal by using specialized websites – /for booking see the discount websites at the bottom of the page...coming shortly/   5 Stars Hotels Adelphi Hotel - 187 Flinders Lane Melbourne City, Special feature - rooftop heated salt water  glass-ended lap pool that cantilevers over Flinders Lane, functions, conference facilities. Clarion Suites Gateway, 1 William Street Melbourne City, Award winning Hotel Como Melbourne, 630 Chapel Street, Melbourne City,107 suites, banquets , conferences, private functions facilities, heated swimming pool with retractable roof, gym, sauna and spa Crown Towers - located on the southern bank of the Yarra River, Grand Hyatt Melbourne, 123 Collins Street Melbourne City, 547 Art Deco rooms - one Presidential Suite, three Diplomatic and four Deluxe Suites, 23 Studios and 18 Executive Suites, conference and banquet facilities, 2 Ballrooms, bars and nightclub. Hilton on the Park Melbourne,    404 guest rooms & suites,  15 function rooms which cater for 1000 guests Hotel Windsor, 103 -115 Spring Street Melbourne City, 180 rooms -  last of Australia's grand hotels. Langham Hotel Melbourne, Southbank Park Hyatt, 1 Parliament Square Melbourne City, 243 Rooms, day spa, indoor pool, gym, 7 meeting rooms, Ballroom, Multi-function rooms and  Boardrooms. Punt Hill Serviced Apartments , 267 Flinders Lane, Melbourne City, Rialto Hotel on Collins, 495 Collins St Melbourne City, 244 Standard, Deluxe, Executive rooms and Suites,plus Disabled room, interconnecting rooms and a Premier Family Spa suites. 12 conference rooms, restaurant , bar, heated swimming pool, gym, sun deck, sauna and spa. Royce Hotel, 379 St Kilda Road Melbourne City, art deco building, 71 contemporary rooms – Deluxe and Mezzanine suites and split level Executive Suites. Conference and meeting rooms. Stamford Plaza Melbourne, 111 Little Collins Street Melbourne City, VIC 3000, Conference Facilities: function rooms, 283 - one, two and three bedroom suites. The Westin Melbourne, 205 Collins Street Melbourne City, 262 rooms, swimming pool, spa, sauna,gym, restaurant and bar, business services.   4.5 Stars Hotels Bayview Eden Melbourne, 6 Queens Rd, Melbourne City, Rooms:  192, Award winning Deluxe Hotel, meeting rooms, the conference centre, function facilities and catering, gym, swimming pool, spa and sauna. The Carlton Crest Hotel, 65 Queens Rd Melbourne City, 374 rooms, swimming pool ,catering from 10 to 2000 people. City Limits Hotel  - Studio Apartments, 20 Little Bourke St, Melbourne City, GRAND HOTEL part of SOFITELhotels, 33 Spencer Street Melbourne City, majestic heritage listed hotel, 117 fully self-contained suites, heated pool and spa, sauna, gym. Live music. Grand Mercure on Swanston, 195 Swanston Street Melbourne City, 200 modern rooms, heated relaxation pool, gym. Hotel Lindrum, 26 Flinders Street Melbourne City, 59 rooms - Standard, superior, deluxe and junior, licensed restaurant and bar Novotel Melbourne on Collins, 270 Collins St Melbourne City, heated pool, sauna, spa and gym Pacific International Suites, 471 Little Bourke Street Melbourne City, studio, 1 bedroom or interconnecting accommodation, Conference Centre, Punt Hill Flinders Lane Apartment Hotel, Punt Hill Little Bourke - Melbourne Location Map Punt Hill Burwood Punt Hill Essendon Grand Quest Fairfax House, 392 Little Collins Street Melbourne City, studios, one, two and three bedroom apartments. Quest on Bourke, 155 Bourke Street Melbourne City, 62 of 1 and 2 Bedroom apartments, 24 hour reception, restaurant, bar. Quest on William, 172 William Street Melbourne City, serviced apartment hotel, The Radisson on Flagstaff Gardens, 380 William St, Melbourne City, 184 rooms, gym with spa and steam room, business centre, function rooms etc. Rendezvous Hotel Melbourne, 328 Flinders St, Melbourne City, nine conference and meeting rooms, restaurant,grill and bar. Rydges Carlton, 701 Swanston Street, Carlton Melbourne City, 107 rooms. Bar, restaurant, rooftop heated pool, spa, sauna and BBQ. Rydges Melbourne, 186 Exhibition St, Melbourne City,363 rooms, two restaurants, bar, business centre and conference facilities. Saville on Russell , 222 Russell St Melbourne City, apartment-style hotel apartment-style hotel, swimming pool, two restaurants, bar, spa, gym Seasons Botanic Gardens, 348 St Kilda Rd,  Melbourne City, studios and one and two-bedroom apartments, indoor heated pool, gym. Somerset Gordon Place, 24 Lt Bourke St, Melbourne City, 64 serviced residences, pool, gym. Vibe Savoy, 630 Little Collins St Melbourne City, 163 rooms, business centre services     4 Stars Hotels Alto Hotel on Bourke, 636 Bourke St, Melbourne City, apartment hotel, 50 of Studio Apartments, Spa Suites or one, two or three bedroom apartments. Batman's Hill Hotel, 623 Collins St, Melbourne City, 151 rooms plus 60 Club rooms and 44 serviced apartments. Restaurant, bars, banquet and meeting rooms and a boardroom. Bayview On The Park Melbourne, 52 Queens Road Melbourne City, 193 rooms and 11 suites, award winning hotel, banquet and conferencing facilities, swimming pool spa and gym. Best Western Atlantis Hotel,  300 Spencer St, Melbourne City, conference facilities and catering. Best Western City Limits Hotel, 20-22 Little Bourke Street Melbourne City, 32 rooms, Citigate Melbourne -  part of Mirvac hotels, 270 Flinders Street Melbourne City,  180 rooms, 11 functions rooms Charsfield Hotel, 478 St Kilda Rd Melbourne City, conference, function and meeting facilities, Grand Chancellor Hotel, 131 Lonsdale St Melbourne City, 160 rooms, conference and function rooms, heated swimming pool, sauna, restaurant, bar, café. Hotel Causeway, 275 Little Collins Street Melbourne City, range of unique room types from Junior Rooms to  Split-level Rooms. Mercure Hotel Melbourne, 13 Spring Street Melbourne City, 164 rooms, conference facilities, Punt Hill The Stanton, St Kilda Rd, Quest Hero on Russell, 140 Little Collins Street Melbourne City, 23 of one, two and three bedroom apartments. Saville Park Suites Melbourne, 144 apartments -  one and two bedroom, two penthouse apartments, restaurant, indoor heated pool, sauna. Shoan Heights Apartment Hotel 19 Little Bourke Street, Melbourne, roof top BBQ,  gym, sauna, spa and steam room. The Crossley Hotel, 51 Little Bourke Street, Melbourne City, 88 rooms   3.5 Stars Hotels Albert Park Manor, 405 St Kilda Road, Melbourne City, Boutique Hotel Comfort Hotel Elizabeth Tower  , 792 Elizabeth St, Melbourne City, 100 rooms, conference and meeting facilities, pool, restaurant, bar, sauna, spa, gym. Enterprize Hotel , 44 Spencer Street Melbourne City, budget and deluxe accommodation. Explorers Inn, 16 Spencer St Melbourne City, 113 rooms, Single rooms, Double, Twin and Triple rooms, Family and Disabled rooms. Conference facilities. Flagstaff City Motor Inn, 45 Dudley Street Melbourne City, , 33 units, 8 suites, heated spa, heated pool, Hotel Ibis Melbourne, part of Accor hotels, 15-21 Therry St Melbourne City, 250 hotel rooms, restaurant, bar, gym, baby sitting, meeting and conference facilities. Hotel Y, 489 Elizabeth St Melbourne City, award winning hotel, 10 multi purpose rooms, Business and Conference centre, swimming pool, gym , spa and sauna. Mercure Hotel Welcome, 265-281 Little Bourke St Melbourne City, 330 rooms, Restaurant, Cafe and Bar Punt Hill South Yarra Punt Hill North Melbourne Victoria Hotel, 215 Little Collins Street Melbourne City,  464 rooms, gym, pool, sauna and spa, restaurant, bar.   3 Stars Hotels and Motels All Nations Motel, 2 Spencer Street Melbourne City,  BBQ facilities, free bike hire Hotel Ibis Little Bourke Street,  part of Accor hotels, 600 Little Bourke St Melbourne City, 121 rooms Kingsgate Hotel, 131 King Street Melbourne City, restaurant and bar. Miami Motor Inn, 13 Hawke Street Melbourne City, standard motel rooms with private facilities, 24 hour reception   Resorts: RACV Club & resorts,  501 Bourke Street Melbourne 3000.   Bed & breakfast: INN.HOUSE Bed & Breakfast - Private homes, cottages and retreats located around Melbourne Bishopsgate bed and breakfast - just 10 minutes away from Melbourne CBD   Cottages: Merrow Cottages Melbourne Boutique Cottages – Luxury accommodation  - self contained, serviced accommodation Melbourne Boutique Cottages - Two deluxe, self-contained cottages located in bayside suburbs of Albert Park and Elwood.   Backpackers: Urban Central - The number  1 hostel in Melbourne for 2006 as voted by Hostel customers. Olembia Guesthouse - Located in beachside St Kilda, single, doubles, twins and share rooms   Camping in Melbourne Parks, Forests and Bushlands: Urban Camp Melbourne Co-Operative - Brens Drive PARKVILLE Lady Northcote Recreation Camp - Glenmore Road ROWSLEY Tree Tops Scout Camp - Royal Parade, Riddells Creek 3431, 03 9337 7512(F) Useful links and information: Tourism Victoria – informational website Banking hours: Mon - Thursdays: 9.30am – 4pm; Fridays: 9.30am – 5pm   Lockers: Spencer St Station, Flinders St Station, Melbourne Central Retail Centre, Myer at Lonsdale Street.    Add your information!!!!! Tell us about your event!!!! Correct us!!!