Melbourne and Surrounds

Composed of the city centre, suburbs, and its other immediate localities, Melbourne is the state capital of Victoria. Situated along the south-eastern borders of the Australian mainland, this seaside region directly faces Port Phillip Bay to the south. With a land area of 8,806 square kilometres, the metropolis covers 31 Local Government Areas, three counties, 54 State Districts, and 23 Federal Divisions. Its population of well over 4.07 million residents makes it the most populous city in the state, and second in the country.

Founded in August 1835, Melbourne was named in 1837 by Sir Richard Bourke (Governor of New South Wales between 1831 and 1837) in honour of William Lamb, the 2nd Viscount Melbourne. In 1847, Queen Victoria (monarch of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland between 1837 and 1901) officially proclaimed it a city. The region quickly developed following the 1850s gold rush, which helped build it up into the metropolis it is today. The locality was declared the state capital 1851.

Their wide variety of attractions regularly draws people from all around to Melbourne and its surrounds. As such, tourism is a thriving industry in the region, and it helps boost other industries as well.

If one would like to experience and enjoy the cultural and historical heritage of Melbourne along with its surrounds, a visit to some of the metropolitan area's relevant locales is a good way to start off. Notable sites are the Australian Centre for the Moving Image, Australian Racing Museum, Immigration Museum, Koorie Heritage Trust Cultural Centre, Melbourne International Fine Art Gallery, and Old Melbourne Gaol. As a complement, one might also participate in some of the city's local events, like the Australian Open Tennis Championships, Melbourne Food and Wine Festival, Melbourne International Jazz Festival, and Moomba Festival.

Residents of Melbourne and its surrounds benefit from the city's numerous facilities, which allow them to regularly withdraw from their daily routines for some relaxing diversions. These leisure sites include the Alexandra Gardens, Birrarung Marr, Federation Square, Kings Domain, Melbourne Park, Olympic Park, Queen Victoria Gardens, Royal Botanic Gardens, and State Library of Victoria.

Thanks to its various commercial outlets, locals and visitors alike can readily sample the wide selection of products available in Melbourne and its surrounding areas. Some of the most relevant locations include the 206 Bourke, Australia on Collins, Melbourne Central, Queen Victoria Market, and QV.