The city combines old and new in a pleasant way. The Victorian Flinders Station is the city’s transport hub, and the Queen Victoria Market, which also dates from this period, is one of the largest markets in the southern hemisphere. Her Majesty’s Theatre, the State Library of Victoria and the historic arcades of downtown bear witness to the close ties with Great Britain; Cook’s Cottage in Fitzroy Gardens is the oldest building in Australia.

Despite these historical elements, modern Melbourne predominates. The Ian Potter Centre at the National Gallery of Victoria appears almost futuristic, and the Docklands are home to a colourful mix of leisure activities, culture and 21st century architecture. Modern (pedestrian) bridges over the Yarra River complement the impressive skyline; Australia 108 and the Eureka Tower are the second and third tallest buildings in Australia. The two super towers are visible from almost every point in the city. With a lenght of 238 kilometres, Melbourne also has the largest streetcar network in the world, and the Chadstone Shopping Centre is the largest shopping centre in the country with 550 stores.

How young, dynamic and liveable this city is, becomes clear once you walk through the Central Business District in the late afternoon and evening. Then the streets of Chinatown and the other districts are full of people who meet for shopping or for dinner in the countless small restaurants and bars. So, it’s no wonder that Melbourne ranks third among 140 participants in the renowned EIU’s Global Liveability Ranking of the world’s most liveable cities in 2023 – even ahead of Sydney, which ranks one place behind!