DESTINATION: MELBOURNE, VICTORIA
Melbourne is regarded by many as the cultural Mecca of Australian cities. Throughout the year theres a plethora of events catering for all tastes. In February the action starts at the annual Adventure Travel and Backpackers Expo where you can make your travel plans for both Australia and internationally. Weve enclosed a free flyer here for you to come along so theres no excuse!! Here are the details:
When: 23-25 February 2007
Where: Royal Exhibition Building
Time: 10am-4 pm
Cost: Only $5 (click here to download a 2- for-1 voucher)
Why: See hundreds of exhibitors, talk to the people whove done the travel, listen to free travel talks, get free samples (including food and drink!), and enjoy great giveaways and prizes.
If you cant make it to Melbourne in February for the expo come for The Grand Prix, Queer Film Festival, LOreal Fashion Festival, Antipodes Festival, Food and Wine Festival and International Flower and Garden Show. Wow! Melbourne has it all. See the calendar of events for details.
Heres a few highlights:
The St. Kilda Festival kicks off from February 3-11 this year and is one of Melbournes most colourful annual street festivals. St Kilda is an eclectic neighbourhood of many varied people and theyre all there for the free music, extreme sports, the beach and each other. This years events feature Yalukit Wilam Ngargee – a free outdoor Indigenous Festival featuring music, dance and culture (O’Donnell Gardens, Saturday 3 February); Live N Local – a traditional base of local bands in local venues; and Festival Day – 350,000 people on the beach enjoying free music (Sunday 11 February).
The Melbourne Cup stops the nation on the first Tuesday in November every year but in Melbourne its actually a public holiday. All around Australia people put down wagers, don frocks and racing hats, drink champagne and eat canapés and the parties begin... often the parties outshadow the racing itself.
The International Dragon Boat Festival will be held as part of the Moomba celebrations this year on March 11 at the Docklands Precinct. Theres a lot of water action but also plenty of traditional Chinese culture to appreciate including the Buddhist blessing for the fleet and competitors and lion and dragon dances. Teams come from all over Australia and Asia for this event - not to be missed!
People all over the world wonder exactly what Australian Football League (AFL) is, also known as Aussie Rules, and Melbourne is the place to acquaint yourself with it. The game originated in Melbourne as a way of keeping cricketers fit in the off season but it now has the third highest number of registered players of any Australian sport. The other states have also picked it up and won 10 of the last 15 premierships. Footy season runs March to September in five Australian states. Make sure you see some of the action!
VIP has 11 hostels in Melbourne, more in Victoria and tons all around Australia. There are also zillions of tours and packages to plan your trip in the cities, islands, beaches and country. Youll love the options. Use the VIP card for savings on tours and services. | VIP NEWS:
10 TOP THINGS TO DO IN VICTORIA
1. Surf the famous swells of Bells Beach, Torquay
2. Drive the dramatic Great Ocean Rd
3. Take a historic tram ride in Melbourne
4. Eat a pizza on Italian Lygon street in Melbourne or down a VB beer
5. Have a devonshire tea in the Dandenong Hills east of Melbourne
6. Visit mysterious Hanging Rock, the set of Joan Lindsays famous novel
7. Visit Victorias High Country where Banjo Patterson wrote The Man from Snowy River
8. Visit Ned Kellys last stand at Glenrowan
9. Ski the mountain resorts at Falls Creek, Mt Buller or Mt Hotham
10. See the trees at Bright in autumn
Above: 12 Apostles on Great Ocean Rd
CALENDAR OF EVENTS
JANUARY: Australian Open Tennis (15-28) is the first of the annual Grand Slam tournaments.
FEBRUARY: St. Kilda Festival (3-11)
MARCH: Moomba Waterfest (9-12) is held over four days on the Labour Day weekend along Melbournes Yarra River and parklands with a program of free family fun. Events include a Fire Show, Carnival, Waterskiing, Live Music, Community Programs, Childrens Activities and the famous Moomba Parade.
International Dragon Boat Festival (11)
Australian F1 Grand Prix at Phillip Island (2-4)
LOreal Fashion Festival (4-10)
Melbourne Queer Film Festival (2-12)
Melbourne Food and Wine Festival (16-30)
International Flower and Garden Show (28 March - 1 April)
APRIL: The Melbourne International Comedy Festival (4-29) is one of the three largest comedy festivals in the world. Bells Easter Classic: World Cup Surfing fixture held in Torquay, an hour west of Melbourne.
MAY: Antipodes Festival, celebrating Greek heritage in Melbourne
JULY: The Melbourne International Film Festival (July 25 - August 5) runs July/August covering all genre and films are aired in beautiful old theatres such as the Forum and Palace Theatres.
AUGUST: Australian Rules Football: Winter sports action.
SEPTEMBER: The Melbourne Fringe Festival (Sep 26 - Oct 14) is a showcase of local and regional music, spoken word, visual arts, comedy and dance.
OCTOBER: The Lygon Street Festival: 3 day annual festival with multicultural food.
NOVEMBER: The Spring Racing Carnival Australias premier racing carnival with the Melbourne Cup on the first Tuesday.
DECEMBER: Boxing Day Test (26): Cricket lovers make their annual pilgrimage to the home of cricket in Australia, the MCG.
Above: Melbournes Luna Park fun grounds |
