LIVING IN MELBOURNE

The lifestyle in Melbourne is definitively about entertainment whether it be the simple pleasure of eating out, visiting a gallery or a night at the theatre. Melbourne is also host to some of the world's premier sporting events, including the Grand Prix and the Australian Open.

The city's favourite event is the Melbourne Cup horse race, held on the first Tuesday in November and celebrated as a statewide holiday.

The inner suburbs and the centre of the city are dense with boutiques, cafes, restaurants and galleries small and large, as well as a multitude of cinemas, theatre and music venues.

The grand nineteenth century gardens, including the Royal Botanic Gardens, provide a wonderful sense of space within the city.

Melbourne traditionally has a thriving textile industry and there are still many unique clothing stores as well as markets selling local designs.

Beyond the city, Victoria has a diverse cultural and natural landscape. Within easy reach of the city are the wine regions, alpine resorts, national forests, wild surf beaches, quaint nineteenth century towns, natural spa resorts and the historic gold fields. Most regions are only a day trip or convenient weekend away.