Melbourne has a wealth of places to visit throughout the metropolitan area and is also an ideal city for visitors to stroll around, savouring the ambience and lifestyle.

The central business district has a stunning skyline with some intriguing modern architecture. One of the latest examples of this is the enormous and controversial civic hub Federation Square, with its rolling paved courtyard, wacky design, galleries, bars and restaurants.

However, aficionados of Australian colonial history will only have to walk through the city to discover many examples of Victorian buildings nestling among the skyscrapers or dotted throughout the suburbs.

The intricate ironwork decorating the mansions and business houses testifies to the affluence brought to the city during the gold rush. Many examples can be found along Collins Street - number 333, an imposing building that opened in 1891, is famous for its sublime domed ceiling and equally as extravagant interior, which reflects Melbourne's golden heyday.

The Block Arcade shopping centre, also on Collins Street, is a gracious Victorian building and the Old Royal Mint, on William Street, is also a particularly fine example. Close to Bourke Street Mall and Swanston Walk are eclectic narrow lanes and arcades with a mix of colourful bars, chic clubs, aromatic coffee houses and elegant arcades.

Melbourne's parks and gardens largely reflect their British heritage. A perfect example is Fitzroy Gardens, laid out to represent the Union Jack. Close by, the delightful Treasury Gardens are home to the Old Treasury Building, while to the north is Parliament House, which is open to the public when parliament is not in session.

Carlton Gardens is home to the Melbourne Museum and the adjacent Royal Exhibition Building, built for the 1880 Great Exhibition and based on Crystal Palace in London. This is where Australia's parliament sat from 1901 until 1927. Kings Domain, south of Yarra River, is a pleasant park housing the Sidney Myer Music Bowl, Government House, the Old Melbourne Observatory and Latrobe's Cottage.

Further afield, the colonial mansions of Como House, in South Yarra, and Werribee Park, in Werribee, both have pretty formal gardens - the latter contains the Victoria State Rose Garden.

Chinatown is located at the eastern end of Little Bourke Street and has been situated there since the start of the gold rush. The narrow lanes are packed with Chinese restaurants and supermarkets. The Chinese Museum, Cohen Place, is worth a visit to learn about the contribution the Chinese community has made to the growth of Melbourne.

Melbourne Visitor Centre
Federation Square, corner of Swanston Street and Flinders Street
Tel: (03) 9658 9658.
Website: www.visitmelbourne.com  
Opening hours: Daily 0900-1800. The Melbourne Visitor Centre also operates an information booth in Bourke Street Mall.

The See Melbourne & Beyond Smartvisit Card (tel: 1300 661 711, in Australia only; website: www.seemelbournecard.com) offers free admission to over 60 attractions in and around Melbourne. One-, two- and three-day passes are available either online or from the Melbourne Visitor Centre.