Melbourne Cricket Ground:
One of the most spectacular sites to visit in Melbourne is the Melbourne Cricket Ground, fondly called the MCG. Watch your favorite cricket teams fight it out or catch the Australian Rules football live in this breathtakingly beautiful stadium. The MCG holds the record for having the world`s tallest light towers. Match on or not, this ground is your ultimate destination when in Melbourne.

Melbourne International Film Festival:Each year between July and August, Melbourne hosts the international film festival which is the most spectacular event and the most sought after by all travelers and tourists. A great array of international films are displayed, making this festival the most comprehensive amongst all festivals around the world. Passes can be purchased for each film or the movie buffs can purchase a weekly pass as well.

Melbourne Observation Deck - Rialto Towers:At the top of the 253-metre-high Rialto Towers Building is the Melbourne Observation Deck which offers the most amazing bird`s eye view of this magnificent city. The Southern Hemisphere`s tallest building, the Rialto`s is an iconic structure that stands tall amidst the Melbourne skyscrapers.

Federation Square:A hip city block, the Federation Square is the place to be in for all the travelers. Offering loads of cultural delights, and host of shopping complexes and restaurants serving world cuisines, this place is not to be missed for anything! The plaza at the square, which presents a mesmerizing view of the city riverside and towering structures, is frequented by travelers and locals alike.

Melbourne Zoo:A must visit place for the wildlife lovers and children, the Melbourne Zoo was opened in 1862 and is the first zoo of Australia. Visited by approximately one million people each year, the zoo is known for its new Orangutan Sanctuary and the Trail of the Elephants. You will be amazed to no limits as you view the acrobatic skills of the nig apes through a glass panel that offers an amazingly close up view of the Orangutans.

Known to be an `intellectual and art` capital of Australia, Melbourne is a diverse city and a land of unbelievable pleasures. Staying options here range from plush five star hotels to unbelievably cheap guest houses. The purpose of your visit should mostly determine the area of your accommodation.

Central Business District:This is the place to be for the business travelers. Being the business center, this area houses big multinationals, shops and bars, theatres, two universities and a diverse range of shopping complexes. The Grand Hyatt at the Collins Street is the best option for the serious business honchos, whereas Adelphi Hotel is a hipper option for the cooler lot. Hilton on the Park lies close to the famous cricket ground and just over the Yarra river is the Southbank which offers beautiful view of the bay.

St Kilda Seaside:St Kilda Seaside is an area to be in for the upwardly mobile travelers to Melbourne. With 200 restaurants and bars in close proximity to each other, one can go on a gastronomical expedition like there`s no tomorrow! Your various staying options here would include The Prince and Tolarno`s. The backpackers find affordable options here in the form of Enfield House and Coffee Palace Backpackers.

South Yarra & Toorak:This picturesque seaside area is bustling all the time with tourist activities. It`s a haven for the shoppers and diners who find unlimited options here for shopping, dining and staying. This area has a number of apartment complexes, such as the Punt Hill Serviced Apartments.Hotel Como could be another option if you`re looking for a comfortable hotel stay.

All travelers intending to visit Australia need to have a valid passport.

All travelers to Australia need a valid visa, excluding nationals of New Zealand.

(b) nationals of the following countries do not need to obtain a transit visa before travel if they are continuing their journey to a 3rd country within 8 hours of arriving in Australia: EU countries, Andorra, Argentina, Brunei, Canada, Iceland, Indonesia, Japan, Kiribati, Korea (Rep of), Liechtenstein, Malaysia, Malta, Marshall Islands, Micronesia (Federated States of), Monaco, Nauru, Norway, Papua New Guinea, Philippines, Samoa, Singapore, Solomon Islands, South Africa, Switzerland, Thailand, Tonga, Tuvalu, Vanuatu, Vatican City, USA and Zimbabwe.

All travelers intending to visit Australia in transit must obtain a transit visa, except the national of following countries:

EU countries, Argentina, Brunei, , Andorra, Canada, Indonesia, Iceland, Japan, Kiribati, Korea, Liechtenstein, , Malta, Marshall Islands, Malaysia, Micronesia, Monaco, Nauru, , Papua New Guinea, Norway, Philippines, Samoa, , Solomon Islands, South Africa, Singapore, Switzerland, , Tonga, Thailand, Tuvalu, Vanuatu, Vatican City, USA and Zimbabwe.

There is no fee to obtain a transit visa.

Though Melbourne experiences pleasant weather throughout the year, still the best time to visit is considered to be the summer time when the beaches across the city are buzzing with tourists looking for some fun water activities and games. From December till the end of February, the weather is perfect for all kinds of outdoor activities and is best suited for all kinds of travelers.

Melbourne enjoys a perfectly temperate weather all around the year. The summers are warm and winters are cool. The temperature never rises to unbearable limits in this Victorian city. Seasons in Melbourne begin quite late and happen in reverse to the seasons in Europe. Summer begins a slate as December, and it is the best time to enjoy the magnificent Melbourne beaches.

January and February are the summer months, whereas June is the month when the winter gradually sets in. July and August are quite cloudy with frequent rains. Cold north and northwest winds continue from August till November when the weather is quite pleasant and never rises above 20 degree Celsius.

Currency:The Australian Dollar is the currency used in Melbourne. Though exchange bureaus and banks throughout Melbourne exchange your currency for Australian dollars, it is advisable that you get some currency exchanged before arriving here.

Language:Almost 80% of the Australian population speaks English. However, by virtue of being a multi-cultural city, Melbourne residents speak other languages as well, such as Chinese, Greek, Turkish, Lebanese and Vietnamese.