The capital and the most populated city in the state of Victoria, Melbourne is also the second most populated city in Australia. Located on the large bay of Port Philip at the estuary of the Yarra River, Melbourne was founded in 1835, and was transformed into one of the world’s largest and wealthiest cities during the Victorian Gold Rush of 1850.

• Today

Today, Melbourne is also known as the cultural capital of Australia, being a center for   the arts, commerce, education, entertainment, sport and tourism. Melbourne is the birthplace of Australian film, Australian television, Australian Rules football, the Australian impressionist art movement and is also a major center of Australian Music.

• Weather

With its moderate oceanic climate, Melbourne is colder than other parts of mainland Australia, with spring being most suited for car travel with mild weather and clear skies. Summers are best avoided with record high temperatures.

1. 1. Culture

Melbourne is a UNESCO city of literature, with annual cultural events that include Melbourne International Film Festival, Melbourne International Comedy Festival and the Melbourne Fringe Festival.

Based here also are Australian Ballet and the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra.

Melbourne is the home to theatre,Melbourne Recital Centre, Sidney Myer Music Bowl, Princess Theatre, Regent Theatre, Forum Theatre, Palace Theatre, Comedy Theatre, Athenaeum Theatre, Her Majesty’s Theatre, Capitol Theatre, Palais Theatre and the Australian Centre for Contemporary Art all for the theatre buff.

1. 2. Sport

Home to three major annual international sporting events in the Australian Open, Melbourne Cup and the Australian Grand Prix, Melbourne is also the spiritual home of Australian Rules football and cricket, and the Melbourne Cricket Ground is the largest cricket ground in the world.

• Melbourne Airport

also known as Tullamarine Airport is 23 kilometers from the city centre.

The airport features direct flights to destinations in all states and territories of Australia in addition to numerous destinations in Oceania, Asia, Africa, Europe and North America.

The airport comprises four terminals: one international terminal, two domestic terminals and one budget domestic terminal.

Conveniently located within Melbourne Airport, FIRST Tax & Duty Free makes your duty free shopping experience easy. FIRST Tax and Duty Free offers a comprehensive and exciting range of duty free and GST free products, including some of the most prestigious brands and exclusive products you won’t find anywhere else in Australia. FIRST is committed to delivering low prices and high value to all customers.

Restaurants & bars: Melbourne Airport has an assortment of distinct bars and restaurants, ensuring you find the perfect place for refreshing ale, glass of wine or hearty meal.

With an array of Cafes the airport offers an extensive range of coffees and snacks.

Melbourne airport has six car rental companies located on site. All have offices on the ground floor of the short term car park, and information desks in the Melbourne Airport domestic terminals. The operators are Avis, Budget, Europcar, Hertz, Thrifty and Redspot.