Melbourne

Melbourne, Australia’s second largest city and seemingly the home of 20 sports stadiums and arenas as well as annual International Arts Festival that lasts the entire month of October. A large but more relaxed than Sydney.



The old and new city markers. Down the left is the old Flinders Street Station which was a popular meeting place as in "under the Flinders Street Station clocks). Close on the left is the new Federation Square which includes a couple of museums and shops as well as numerous restaurants.



Melbourne at night, from South Yarra looking over Federation Square to Melbourne CBD. Surprisingly perhaps, Melbourne is a real party city. Groups wander from pub to pub or club to club. With some clubs having lines a half block long. And the bouncers are still there Sunday morning at 10. And of course the casino in South Yarra is open all the time and they have betting on all sports.







Australians are also personally active in sports. These rowers include mid aged business professionals.



Melbourne like all Australia is big on their sports but Melbourne is central for many of them. In this area near the botanical gardens are several arena and stadium for rugby, footy, soccer, tennis, and who knows what else.






Construction runs rampant as they city grows and prepares for the 2006 Commonwealth Games.



The one aspect that Melbourne loses to Sydney is in its beaches. South Yarra Beach on the bay is no match for Bondi. But the nearby streets are full of shops and cafes where you get a cuppa of your favorite coffee along with all manners of freshly baked pastries.

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