Melbourne is the cultural capital of Australia. (Don't tell Sydney - this hurts their feelings.)

Nights out here can involve big Broadway shows or independent theatre. There's our famous live music scene with gigs, concert halls, jazz clubs and corner pubs. For film buffs there's always something at the Australian Centre for the Moving Image and festivals screening all year round.

Art lovers will enjoy the local and top touring international exhibitions in the National Gallery, or build your own collection with a stroll through an endless array of boutique galleries.

Melbourne is Australia's culinary hot spot. Behind a nondescript door or at the end of a cobbled laneway you'll find an exciting range of restaurants, cafes and bars.

Our restaurants are renowned for the best chefs, produce and service and our melting pot of cultures promise a delicious variety of taste sensations. From fast and fresh Vietnamese restaurants to long-standing Italian classics and international sensations like Nobu, there's something for everyone at any time of the day.

This is also a city fuelled by caffeine with a café on every corner. As for something to drink after dark, it's a hard choice. A warm summer evening on a rooftop bar? A cozy winter night by the fire at the local pub? An enticing wine list at the latest bar? Why not taste it all?

For those who enjoy their spare time out in the fresh air, we're also home to the Australian Masters for golf, the Australian Open for tennis, the Australian Grand Prix and the famous Melbourne Cup, the  'horse race that stops the nation'.

The Melbourne International Comedy Festival is the third largest of its kind in the world. Clearly, we like the funny. We also like film with around 200,000 audience members gathering together to watch the Melbourne International Film Festival every year.

No need to pack really. Melbourne is famous for its fashion with a booming industry of local designers as well as all the high-end boutiques you know. And if there’s one thing Melburnians love more than shopping (and possibly coffee), it's sport. This is the home of the national game, Australian Rules Football. As a land of the great outdoors, we also host golf, soccer and surfing events to name just a few.

Keeping fit is easy with running, walking and cycling tracks around the city and the bay. You'll find plenty of health clubs and day spas too. And you're never far from some quiet time in a nearby park or a swim at the beach.

On your days off you'll soon discover our famous wineries and gourmet regions a short drive from the city. Further afield you'll enjoy snow country in the winter and a stunning coastline in the summer.

You'll find Melbourne is a natural habitat for anyone - families, couples or singles. We can accommodate you in a range of styles, from five star hotels and serviced apartments to fully furnished houses.

Our homes away from home are available for long and short stays and offer our unique blend of warm Australian hospitality with Melbourne's own style and sophistication.

Our agencies will help you find the right accommodation in the right location for the right price. There's also a wonderful assortment of regional accommodation from self-contained cottages to boutique five star hotels.

Melbourne has a reputation for being a safe and family friendly city. We have fantastic childcare facilities, excellent public and private education and the International Baccalaureate program available at a range of secondary schools.

We offer memorable experiences for all ages with zoos, museums, galleries and sports centres dotted all over town.  Sensational beaches, quaint country towns, natural bushland and spectacular forests are all within a short drive from the city for weekend family adventures.

A family oriented town with friendly locals makes Melbourne an easy place to settle. The hardest part will be leaving it all behind.