Melbourne is voted the world’s most liveable city IN 2013
Announcement posted by Australia Trip Planner 08 Dec 2013
Melbourne is the world’s most liveable city according to a survey by the Economist (http://www.eiu.com/site_info.asp?info_name=The_Global_Liveability_Report).
This is the second year in a row that Melbourne has been recognized as the most liveable place – or should we say the most loveable place - ahead of 140 other competing cities including Vienna, Vancouver, Toronto, Adelaide, Sydney and Perth.
The liveability categories looked at each cities stability, healthcare, culture and environment, education, and infrastructure. And really, what’s not to love about Melbourne? It has great restaurants and cafes, a huge range of cultural activities and museums and entertainment, it is the place of many homegrown artists and fashion designers, and the list goes on.
See Attachment A below and experience this livable city too with the help of this suggested 4-day itinerary of things to do in Melbourne.
For more information on what to do in Melbourne or to get an itinerary to suit your holiday style, visit www.australiatripplanner.com.au
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ATTACHMENT A - SAMPLE MELBOURNE ITINERARY
| Day 1: Get to know Melbourne · Firstly, buy a Miki public transport card so you can travel around the Melbourne on buses, trams and trains. Mikis can be bought at many train, bus and tram stations, and shops showing the Miki sign. Buy your Miki and add more cash as and when you need to.
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| Activity and details | Cost | |
| · Catch the FREE city circle tram (number 35) and enjoy a free tour around Melbourne. Hop on and off this free tram as often as you like. The free City Circle tram (route 35) that takes you through the city and past many major attractions. The trams have a great commentary so it’s a great way to familiarize yourself with Melbourne.
| Free | |
| · Visit the Melbourne Visitors Centre in Federation Square Jump off the free tram at Flinders Street station and wander across to Federation Square where you will find the Melbourne Visitors Centre. This place has so much fantastic information. Make sure you pick up the FREE walking guides so you can do some FREE self guided tours at your leisure.
| Free | |
| · Queen Victoria Markets If you love markets then you must visit Queen Victoria Markets. They sell plenty of souvenirs but the food markets are amazing particularly the delicatessen stalls.
| Free | |
| · Take a cruise on the Yarra River Take a 2 hour city cruise along the Yarra river and admire Melbourne's spectacular skyline. Your cruise highlights includes an informative commentary on Southgate Arts and Leisure Precinct, Crown Entertainment Complex, World Congress Center and Trade Center, Docklands, 19th-century sailing ship Polly Woodside, The Governor's residence, Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG).
| $29.00 | |
| · Colonial Tramcar Restaurant Tour of Melbourne You’ve been getting to know Melbourne, and Trams are a key feature of this great city. So why not end the day having a three course dinner on the Colonial Tramcar Restaurant. The tram will travel through the city streets and on to South Melbourne, St Kilda, Prahran and Malvern. http://www.partner.viator.com/en/11674/tours/Melbourne/Colonial-Tramcar-Restaurant-Tour-of-Melbourne/d384-3412TRAM
| 77.00 | |
| Day 2: Get a deeper understanding of Melbourne OK, you’ve got a general understanding of Melbourne but now it’s time to dig a little deeper and really see this town. I’d recommend doing one of the following tours to start the day:
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| · Central Melbourne Walking Tour Discover Melbourne from a local’s perspective on a 3 hour Melbourne city walking tour. Explore Melbourne’s famed laneways; familiarize yourself with some of Melbourne’s iconic architecture, including Federation Square, the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) and Flinders Street Station; and gain insight into Melbourne’s diehard sporting Culture, as well its thriving music and art scene. You’ll discover hidden gems and explore the city like a local. http://www.partner.viator.com/en/11674/tours/Melbourne/Central-Melbourne-Walking-Tour/d384-5387WALK | $35.00 | |
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| · Melbourne Lanes and Arcades Walking Tour Discover the secrets and hidden treasures of Melbourne’s lanes and arcades on this three and a half hour walking tour. Immerse yourself in the heritage and Culture of this cosmopolitan city, visit local artisans and up and coming fashion designers. Melbourne is a foodies paradise so you’ll sample some of the local food and wine. Do some chocolate tasting and drink coffee, with the option of finishing the day with a gourmet lunch and a glass of wine. | 95.00 | |
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| · Flavours of Melbourne Small-Group Food Walking Tours Celebrate Melbourne's cultural diversity on a 3 hour small-group food walking tour of the flavours of India, Turkey or Africa. Melbourne is a multicultural melting pot, home to some of Australia's largest migrant communities. See how these Cultures, through their food, have helped shape Melbourne into Australia's cultural capital. | $125.00 | |
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| · Self guided walking tours Use the free self guided walking tour maps that are available at the Melbourne Visitors Centre and set off discovering Melbourne at your own pace. The walking tours include: o Melbourne’s arcades and lanes walk o Waterfront tour of Melbourne’s north and south banks of the Yarra River o Secret gardens tour through the Royal Botanic Gardens and arts centre o A walk in the park taking you through cathedrals, lush parklands and Flinders Lane o Cosmopolitan tour through the glamourous Collins Street, shopping districts and Chinatown.
| FREE | |
| Afternoon activities and suggestions: | ||
| · Sports Lovers Tour of Melbourne plus Foster's Australia Brewery If you love all things sport, then this is the tour for you. Visit Melbourne's iconic sport venues and hear exciting tales of triumph and defeat. See where history has been made and hearts have been broken in the race to win the ultimate sporting prizes. You’ll visit:
Your day will finish at the Foster's Brewery, and yes, there is an opportunity to sit at the free tasting bar! | $139.00
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| · Melbourne Outlet Shopping Tour Enjoy a full day on this outlet shopping tour and discover some of the city's best discounts and hard-to-find warehouse sales and outlets. Your tour includes cafe-style lunch, including a glass of sparkling wine. | $84.00 | |
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| · Do-it-yourself FREE outlet shopping tour Catch the free City Circle Tram (number 35) to Docklands and get off at Harbourtown. You’ll find hundreds of outlet shops that will be happy to sell you anything and everything. It’s also worth visiting Chapel Street to see what the local fashion designers have on offer.
| FREE, except for what you buy!! | |
| Day 3: Be a tourist and enjoy more of the local sights and attractions Make this day all about being a tourist. Buy one of the many super-saver tourist tickets and check out some of the attractions and activities such as: | ||
| · Melbourne Attraction Pass: Melbourne Aquarium, Eureka Skydeck 88 and Old Melbourne Gaol Save time and money with the Melbourne Attraction Pass! Visit three of Melbourne's premier attractions -- the Melbourne Aquarium, Eureka Skydeck 88 and Old Melbourne Gaol. The Melbourne Aquarium is Australia's largest aquarium and has sandbar whaler sharks, grey nurse sharks, Port Jackson sharks, king penguins, green sea turtles and big-bellied seahorses, plus so much more. Eureka Skydeck 88 has 360-degree floor to ceiling views of Melbourne and surrounding regions. Old Melbourne Gaol was where the colony’s most dangerous criminals were held. More than people were hanged here including Australia's most famous criminal, Ned Kelly. http://www.partner.viator.com/en/11674/tours/Melbourne/Melbourne-Attraction-Pass-Melbourne-Aquarium-Eureka-Skydeck-88-and-Old-Melbourne-Gaol/d384-5325ATTPASS
| $69.00 | |
| Day 4 and Day 5: Get out of town! | ||
| · Mornington Peninsula Day Trip from Melbourne The Mornington Peninsula only an hour from Melbourne and offers everything from breath-taking beaches and historical national parks to vineyards and hot springs. Travel to the tip of the peninsula to visit the seaside town of Portsea, with its famous coloured bathing boxes, and Point Nepean with its remarkable military history and spectacular views of Bass Strait, followed by lunch at a winery or the hot springs, before heading off to the Ashcombe Maze where you’ll completely lose yourself. http://www.partner.viator.com/en/11674/tours/Melbourne/Mornington-Peninsula-Day-Trip-from-Melbourne/d384-5325BMPNP
| $149.00 | |
| · Yarra Valley Wineries and Puffing Billy Steam Train Day Tour The Yarra Valley wine tour takes you through Melbourne to the scenic Dandenong Ranges. You’ll ride on Puffing Billy, Australia's oldest steam train, going through the lush mountain rainforests and fern gullies of Sherbrooke Forest in the Dandenong Ranges. You’ll continue on to the beautiful Yarra Valley’s premium wineries, passing through picturesque mountain villages and stopping to feed the colourful native parrots, rosellas and cockatoos. http://www.partner.viator.com/en/11674/tours/Melbourne/Yarra-Valley-Wineries-and-Puffing-Billy-Steam-Train-Day-Tour-from-Melbourne/d384-2230M35 | $151.00 | |
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