00:00Welcome to Melbourne where things are not always what they seem.
00:12A black doorway could lead to an opulent restaurant.
00:17A spiral staircase could climb to a lively rooftop bar.
00:22Or a tiny cul-de-sac could conceal a dozen cafes, galleries and designer boutiques.
00:29Melbourne may seem like a tidy, balanced, cosmopolitan city, but beneath that sense
00:34of everything being in its place lies a restless, creative energy, constantly pushing back at
00:41the city's seeming conservatism.
00:52Melbourne is set around the shores of Port Phillip Bay.
01:00The city itself sits on the northern banks of the Yarra River, a magnificent setting
01:05for water sports such as rowing and kayaking.
01:10The discovery of gold in Victoria in the 1850s led to the Victorian Gold Rush and the rapid
01:15growth of this city.
01:17This heady rush of development led to the construction of many institutional buildings.
01:24Buildings such as Parliament House, the Supreme Court and the University.
01:31The architecture in Melbourne is known throughout the world for its breathtaking 19th century
01:36Victorian buildings.
01:38Melbourne is also renowned for the contrast between the significantly modern and creative
01:4421st century developments.
01:50Melbourne has some of the highest skyscrapers in Australia, and with no height restrictions
01:54in the city, there are no limits to the height Melbourne might take you.
02:00Need it?
02:01Federation Square.
02:02Everyone else does.
02:04Federation Square is a unique cultural area.
02:07It's also one of the most visited tourist attractions in Melbourne.
02:13Federation Square is home to museums, design centres, as well as a wide range of restaurants,
02:20cafes, bars and shops.
02:23Federation Square is where friends meet, cultures meet and worlds meet.
02:32Today Melbourne is known as a major centre of commerce.
02:38It's also a centre of cultural activity.
02:41In fact, the city is referred to as Australia's cultural capital.
02:47Melbourne has a long and rich coffee culture, beginning with Victorian era coffee palaces,
02:53further enhanced by Italian migrants arriving in the aftermath of World War II.
03:03The aroma of espresso floats down the streets and laneways, as the tempting scent brings
03:15visitors down the odd looking alleys to discover a nonchalant cafe.
03:23Melbourne is a city of style and sophistication, with an inviting cosmopolitan atmosphere revolving
03:31around wining and dining.
03:34Its diverse background, with many styles of restaurants, bistros and bars, reflect Melbourne's
03:40cuisine fashionable, eclectic and eccentric.
03:46Melbourne's dining spots offer the world's greatest cuisines, serving meals from the
03:50substantial and classic to truly exotic.
03:55Melbourne's city centre is well known for its historic and attractive lanes and arcades.
04:03Artists have taken on the task of masking the brick walls with large, beautiful and
04:07very interesting murals.
04:10The city is full of nooks and crannies and they're all filled with shopping delights.
04:18Whether you're after high fashion or something thrifty, Melbourne's magnificent shopping
04:23choices make it difficult to decide where to start your spree.
04:28Melbourne has been crowned the premier shopping destination in Australia, offering a unique
04:36retail experience to all visitors and the perfect place to find the style that suits
04:41you.
04:42From locally designed originals to the best of international brands, you'll be spoilt
04:47for choice in Melbourne's myriad of arcades and laneways.
04:56Melbourne also has amazing parks and gardens, many of them with a European influence.
05:02The city's collection of parks and gardens can rival that of any city in the world and
05:06the good news is that most of them are within easy walking distance of the city.
05:11A great activity for the day is to stroll through the gardens and bring a picnic with
05:16you.
05:21When the sun sets on the city of Melbourne, things really heat up.
05:26Melbourne's nightlife awaits you.
05:30Wander the city's broad boulevards and narrow lanes to discover a wealth of places to enjoy
05:35a drink, kick back or dance until dawn.
05:50Once forgotten warehouses and obscure old buildings have emerged as designer cool caves
05:56for patrons' pleasures.
06:02Super swanky or way too cheap?
06:06Whatever your taste or budget, it awaits you in Melbourne.
06:18This is also when the best street performers come out to entertain.
06:32If you're worried about how you're going to get all these activities accomplished,
06:43look no further than Melbourne's impressive public transportation.
06:48Melbourne's trams were first introduced in 1885 and are now the largest tram network
06:53in the world.
06:54By the mid-1970s, as other cities became increasingly choked with traffic and air pollution, Melbourne
07:01was convinced that its decision to retain its trams was the right one.
07:06Melbourne's trams contribute greatly to the city's distinctive character and are held
07:10in great affection by the people of Melbourne.
07:13In fact, one of the trams has been transformed into a travelling restaurant.
07:18That combines two of Melbourne's essential experiences, taking a tram ride and eating
07:23some great food.
07:25You'll glide through the city streets, taking in the sights and sounds of Melbourne while
07:29having a sumptuous four-course meal.
07:32Melbourne enjoys a well-deserved reputation as a sport-loving city.
07:37Scarcely a month passes when there is not a major sporting event being hosted.
07:42From tennis to horse racing, Melbourne's enviable range of sporting activities will keep even
07:48the most discerning fan entertained.
07:50The Melbourne Cup has been deemed the race that stops a nation, with an unparalleled
07:55celebration of racing, style and glamour.
08:19For one week in spring, the Flemington Racecourse becomes the focus of the nation's corporate
08:24social and equine activity.
08:27If there is ever a place to be seen in an eccentric hat, then this is certainly where you belong.
08:47And then there's the exciting race itself.
08:54It's amazing!
09:08From the beginning of the parade with its famous faces, to the last remaining glass
09:13of champagne, Melbourne Cup Carnival is a week not to be missed.
09:18Melbourne Cup, one of the most celebrated races of all time and the great way to finish
09:23our tour of the Victorian capital of Melbourne.
09:53www.melbournecup.co.uk
