Highlights of Melbourne

If you're visiting Melbourne, these are things you won't want to miss:

Arcades - Melbourne has arguably the best arcades of any city in Australia, with a mix of quaint shops in historic buildings and small cafes in dimly lit laneways. A walk through the Block Arcade, in particular is a must.

Southbank - This development beside the Yarra River has quickly become the main focal point for the city area. Here there are up market restaurants, food courts, interesting shops and a fabulous promenade along the river bank.

Crown Entertainment Complex - Originally renowned for being the biggest casino in the Southern Hemisphere, the Crown complex is now regarded as a major entertainment centre.

St Kilda - Another must for visitors to Melbourne. This elderly bayside suburb has it all - history, fantastic beachside setting, sidewalk cafes, a street famous for its cake shops and one of the best kept secrets in Melbourne - the fabulous St Kilda Botanic Gardens.

Gardens - Melbourne has some of the finest gardens of any city in the world, many of them within a kilometre of the CBD. A morning in the Royal Botanic Gardens is one of the great treats of visiting this city.

The Bay - Port Phillip Bay is big and one of its attractions is driving along the road that skirts around its south-eastern shores. A bicycle path runs from South melbourne, near the city, to Mordialloc, on the southern peninsula.