Bold, brash, hedonistic and thorn in the side of its haughtier big brother Sydney, the Victorian capital of Melbourne and its inhabitants pride themselves on their rich cultural and sporting traditions.
The city’s vast suburbs are home to an international crowd, and this is reflected in the wonderfully diverse cuisine on offer. You can’t walk for 5 minutes without seeing an Italian, Vietnamese, Japanese or Thai restaurant.
Sport is HUGE here – the whole country stops for the Melbourne Cup, the Australian Open Tennis grand slam is held here and the required diets of Aussie Rules football and cricket are more than satisfied. There’s a big coffee culture too; just hang out and watch the world go by. For those after more nocturnal pursuits, the nightlife here is renowned for its intensity and tardiness.