Melbourne Cruises

Melbourne is the coastal capital of the southeastern Australian state of Victoria. The city’s elegant tree-lined boulevards, extensive parks and gardens, colourful trams, rich cultural programmes and art-deco high-rises set the scene in this classy, vibrant community.

Stylish, art-loving Melbourne is wonderfully cosmopolitan, and is proud to be recognised as Australia's sporting and cultural capital.[ReadMoreMob] In the Southbank area, the Melbourne Arts Precinct is home to Arts Centre Melbourne – a performing arts complex, while the National Gallery of Victoria has stunning Australian and indigenous art. Melbourne's liberal, bohemian and progressive personality means it was ‘hipster’ long before the word became a ubiquitous label.

The city centre is defined by the modern Federation Square development, with smart plazas and chic bars and restaurants all well-situated by the Yarra River. The breadth of shops and markets, not to mention the huge variety of cuisine available – Greek, Italian, Maltese, Thai, Vietnamese and more – is a mouth-watering prospect for any visitor.

The inner city is probably the most European of any in Australia: the leafy Collins Street was coined as the 'Paris End' in the 1950s. The city's well-ordered grid also adds a flavour of New York in this extraordinary destination. The Royal Botanical Gardens and Melbourne Zoo are two other attractions that are worthy of discovery.