The Melbourne Aquarium
The Melbourne Aquarium is a major tourist destination, featuring aquatic from diverse places like the Great Barrier Reef, Murray River, and the Southern ocean. Some of the exhibits include a fascinating jelly fish display, a huge sting ray and shark glass walkway and a touch pool where visitors can play with some fascinating sea creatures. The Melbourne Aquarium is about to be expanded in the next year to almost triple its size when it will also feature an Antarctic exhibit of penguins and seals.
Crown Casino Complex
More than just a casino the crown casino complex houses a large array of shops, bars, restaurants and even a cinema. Situated on the western end of Southbank its a great place to start or finish a stroll along the Yarra River.
The Melbourne Museum
Opened in 1999 the Melbourne Museum, which also houses Melbourne’s Imax theatre, is a showcase of many of Australia’s historical and cultural treasure’s. Housed in a state of the art glass and concrete structure which encompasses the modern Melbourne architectural design, it is a stark contrast to the world heritage listed Royal Exhibition Building that is situated next door. The Royal Exhibition Building was home to the 1889 Great Exhibition and Australia’s first parliament in 1901. The museums most acclaimed artefact is the Australian horse racing legend Phar lap.
Luna Park
Luna Park was built in 1912 and was named after the famous Coney Island fun park in New York. Melbourne’s Luna Park houses one of the oldest roller coasters in the world, admission is free with rides and carnival attractions priced at reasonable rates.
Federation Square
Taking up an entire city block that was once dominated by railway lines, Federation Square is a focus for Melbourne arts and entertainment in the city. It brings together a creative dynamic mix of attractions, including the Ian Potter Centre of the National gallery of Victoria, the Australian Centre for Moving image as well as restaurants, cafes and bars. Situated next to Melbourne’s newest Park, Birrarung Marr, many festivals and entertainment activities are held here throughout the year. Fed Square is also home to Melbourne Visitor Centre which is a popular spot that all tourists should stop by when visiting Victoria.
The Sidney Myer Music Bowl
The internationally renowned Sidney Myer Music Bowl is Victoria’s iconic outdoor performance venue, with fixed seating for more than 2000 and a landscaped lawn that can cater for a further 11,000 people. The venue plays host to the annual Christmas Eve Carols by Candlelight, as well as many international acts. During the summer months the venue is used for outdoor movie screenings known as moonlight cinema. Some of the acts that have performed at venue include Paul Mc Cartney and Wings, ABBA, Neil Diamond and REM. The music bowl is part of the Victorian Arts Centre.
The City Circle Tram
While many Melbournians rely on the tram network every day to around the city and its suburbs, a great way to see the the CBD is by hopping on one of the historic Brown W class trams that travel around the CBD for free. Starting at Spring Street the tram goes down Spenser Street the past the Docklands area to across the top of the CBD back to Spring Street.
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