Hailed as being the "World's Most Livable City" by Washington's Population Crisis Committee, Melbourne, the capital of Victoria certainly lives up to its title. Also known as "Marvellous Melbourne - the Paris of the Antipodes" and set around Port Phillip Bay, this clean and leafy city rivals Sydney as Australia's cultural sporting and financial capital.
As well as being renowned for its clean air and having the best drinking water in the world, Melbourne has an exceptionally low crime rate, some of the best schools in Australia and a relaxed and cosmopolitan atmosphere. With its broad leafy suburbs, enormous city centre parks and mild climate (temperatures average in the low 30s in summer and the city has less rainfall annually than either Sydney or Brisbane) it is certainly a very pleasant place to live. However, Melbourne is not without its share of excitement. In any one week there are usually nearly 200 shows of varying kinds to choose from, including plays, classical concerts, rock concerts, ballet, cabarets and comedy shows. With representatives of over 140 different nationalities making up Melbourne's population it is hardly surprising that the city is also famous for its excellent restaurants and wide range of international cuisine. From secluded little bistros and the restaurants of Chinatown to the sophistication of haute cuisine, there is something to tickle everyone's palette.
Melbourne has many world class sporting facilities close to the Central Business District The shopping is excellent and the public transport system, "the Met", which offers train, tram and bus transport on one ticket, is regarded as being one of the best in the world, making Melbourne an easy place to travel around cheaply and quickly.
The city is also spacious. The traditional Australian ideal of each family home being situated in 1/4 acre of land has led to huge sprawling suburbs covering 1700km2. In total Melbourne shares over 6202 km2 of land between about three million plus people, and as it is flanked by the sea on one side and vast tracts of open bush and wine producing countryside on the other, Melbourne has an atmosphere of openness.
The city is mainly taken up by apartment blocks and spectacular sky scrapers, but nestling next to these are fine examples of 19th century architecture, carefully restored to their original splendour and converted into shopping malls, office buildings, hotels and galleries, unparalleled by any in Australia. Out in the suburbs, as well as beautifully landscaped gardens, are some of the finest examples of domestic architecture to be found anywhere in the country.
Melbourne is also a Mecca for sporting enthusiasts with its international standard facilities making it possible to enjoy horse racing, football, cricket, tennis, basketball, jogging, walking and cycling within the city itself. The Yarra river, running through the city and the bay on which it is situated provide opportunities for sailing, canoeing, fishing and water skiing and a little way out of the city you can go surfing, bushwalking and skiing. The State Government aims to host a major international event in Melbourne every month, so far these have included The Ford Australian Tennis Open, The Formula One Grand Prix, The Melbourne International Festival, The Melbourne Racing Cup Carnival and The 500cc Motorcycle Grand Prix.
Culturally, Melbourne is a varied and cosmopolitan city. Its fascinating history and diverse population mean that there is a huge range of museums, cultural events and historic attractions to enjoy all year around.
But there is far more to the city than great shopping, sport, weather and facilities, it is also a centre for big business. The economy of Victoria makes up 25% of the Australian total and it is widely acknowledged that it is the region's economic strength that has been responsible for the upturn in the Australian economy as a whole.
Summarised from "Accounting Post" 31 August 1996
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