RELATED LINKS

Food Science Australia

Melbourne is a sophisticated city. It has a history of affluence that is reflected today in its wonderful wide, tree-lined boulevards, its magnificent Victorian architecture and its love of fine foods, wines and the arts. Few cities in the world have the depth of entertainment, the range of fine dining establishments and arts centres that can match what Melbourne offers.

People from all parts of the world have played a vital role in the growth of this city from a tiny village of the 1830s to a bustling metropolis of more than 3 million people. The city is an exciting, vibrant mix of cultures. It has the largest Greek community outside of Greece, and also has strong Vietnamese, Chinese, Italian, Lebanese and Maltese communities. The most obvious display of this pot pourri of culture is in the city's restaurants, all 2200 plus of them.

Within the city itself there is an almost endless list of places to go and things to do. The shopping alone is quite outstanding with alternatives from the bustling, exciting Queen Victoria Market - one of the world's few remaining public marketplaces, to exclusive boutiques selling the world's finest fashions, jewellery and just about everything else you could imagine. The city trams are a wonderful mode of transport, offering a cheap and efficient means of getting around.

Within just an hour on the road is everything from ferny gullies to some of the world's best surf beaches. The Dandenong Ranges, the verdant curtain to the east of the city, is home to Australia's most famous train, Puffing Billy, and offers extensive bush walks, spectacular mountain scenery and panoramic views. Just a few kilometres along the road is the Yarra Valley where you can sample some of Australia's finest wineries and local produce. To the south of Melbourne are sanctuaries and colonies of seals, koalas, mutton bird and the world-renowned Little Penguins at Phillip Island. Nearer the city is the beautiful Mornington Peninsula, stretching between the ocean and the waters of Port Phillip Bay. Just over an hour west of Melbourne is the excellent Sovereign Hill Historical Park, Ballarat's tribute to its golden past. It is a fully operational replica of the 1850s Gold Rush scene where you can even pan for gold.