en.infoglobe.cz » Australia, Melbourne – Really the Best City in the World? – VIDEO
Australia, Melbourne – Really the Best City in the World? – VIDEO
Published: 26.10.2021
Had I let go of my travelling job and choose a place to settle, Melbourne would be my choice. Why? The city is built and developed for the people. Not for buildings, industry, developers, and not even for tourists. It is built for the people who live there. Thus it is also one of the best cities to live in in the world. Don't worry. You can still enjoy it and leave with unforgettable memories even as mere visitors.
If you ask a person that loves Melbourne the same I do what he loves about this city so much he would tell you one of the following:
Culture and life
Coffee
Food
Beaches and climate
Inhabitants of Melbourne
Mostly, however, he would mention all of them. Tehre are many reasons to love the city. In two-part miniseries on Australia, I will give you my take on some of them. We start in the very downtown people call CBD.
Before we start talking about festivals, concerts or original artistic performances I take you to a library. The Library of the State of Victoria is literally in the center. You will long remember its largest hall which holds hundreds-years old volumes and gren reading caps. A small gallery also belongs to this library. Moreover, there are several pieces of art. Everything is for free.
As for the aforementioned festivals: there are lots and lots of them. Simply put - there is still something going on. Books, theater, film, comedy, music... you decide what you like. Anytime you come to Melbourne you will have plenty to do.
Should you be interested in fine arts then go to National Gallery of Victoria or Australian Centre for Contemporary Art. However, as I will point out in the second article- the entire city is one big gallery. Even in the very downtown in narrow alleys there are many amazinh graffiti and all kinds of street art installations.
Speaking about the narrow streets, let's have a coffee or something to eat. Forget all food guides (except if you are interested in some fine-dining). It is easy to find a good restaurant in the city. Just avoid all restaurants in main streets. Try to go to the most remote streets. Follow your nose and go to those places which are packed. In restaurants of the like it is always packed and during the lunchtime you often have to wait to sit. Order a flat white – local innovation which is seemingly cappuccino but you have twice as much coffee and less milk in your cup. Have "brunch" for a lunch. It is a meal somewhere on the middle way between lunch and breakfast. It is more Australian thing than kangaroos are.
Are you full? Rested? Then let's explore the beauties of colonial architecture. Take a tram for free in the "free tram zone". Get off where you like. There are many beautiful churches and Victorian houses hidden in the shades of skyscrapers. The most beautiful houses are in Collins Street.
In the evening, you can visit some of local theaters, see stand-up comedy or a concert. You can look for some tips on city's website. Alternatively, you can just take a seat in some cozy bar, order a glass of wine and enjoy local worry-free life.
Christmas Island is located in the eastern Indian Ocean and since 1958 includes to Australia and the status of overseas territories. However, it is without its own government. Tropical colonies with remarkable caves and a rainforest teeming with life.
The state of Queensland in the northeast of Australia is known for its Great Barrier Reef. Therefore, there are also a large number of tourists, especially diving and snorkeling lovers. Its southern part around Brisbane is a bit neglected by tourists but very popular with Australians.
If you really appreciate something about the fact that you visited Uluru in the Australian summer, that is, out of high season, then it is a minimum of people who had a similar idea to you. There are enough places in the parking lots, you do not push with the mass of tourists anywhere and you have your space in all sightseeing places.
Uluru is an icon of Australia. This majestic red monolith rises to a height of 348 meters and its highest point is located at an altitude of 863 meters above sea level. It is the largest single rock monolith in the world.
When you turn west from the village of Erldunda from Stuart Highway, you get to the Lasseter Highway, which leads under other names to Western Australia. From there, you can take road 3 north to Watarrka National Park. If you would like to continue from here to MacDonnell Park, you can, but entry is on license and only for 4x4 cars.
To the west and east of Alice Springs is the highest mountain formation in Central Australia, the Macdonnell Mountain Range with Mt. Zeil, which reaches an altitude of 1531 m. The red center of Australia is therefore one large red badge. There are several places to stay. Often it is fully equipped with no facilities.
In the mountainous center of Australia you can visit the mysterious grouping of stones. The Australians named them Devils Marbles or Devil's Marbles. According to Aboriginal legends, they are the eggs of the Rainbow Snake. On the way from Alice Springs to the north, it appears next to you quite unexpectedly (after about 400 kilometers). These unusual formations can be found in the protected reservation of Karel Karel, which has a total area of 1802 hectares.
Alice Springs is the most famous city in the red center of Australia. All tours that take place on the sacred mountain of Uluru (also called Ayers Rock) start right here. If you go to Alice Springs from the south, you will cross the border of South Australia and Northern Territory. Although you are heading straight north, there is an hour shift between these states.
In the reddish central Australia lies a very interesting city - Coober Pedy. It is famous for opal mining, which has been mined here since 1905. Before we arrive at Coober Peda on our way from Port Augusta, we also stop in Glendambo. Right from the beginning, we are welcomed by a sign saying that there are about 30 inhabitants and 2 million flies. We are also warned that the next gas station will be up to 253 kilometers away.
Australia is a continent of opposites. The densely populated east coast contrasts with the barren red center, the snowy mountains with the desert, and the white skin of immigrant Europeans contrasts with the dark skin of the Aboriginals. Someone is attracted to Australia because it is so far away from us, someone just because of its incredible contrasts, but one thing is certain - it is definitely worth coming here.
Great Ocean Road. One of the most popular trips from Melbourne to the east. 275 kilometers from the city, there is one of the most iconic places in all Australia. 12 Apostles standstone rocky towers.
Fifth year in a row has Melbourne become the best place to live. Last time I guided you through its modern and busy downtown. However, not many people live in downtown- many travel there for culture and to work there. Let's take a look how other districts look like, districts where people actually live and dwell in.
I thought that I would not find a country which is more diverse than Scotland or Iceland. I was wrong. Tasmanie is an island south from Australia. It is almost as large as the Czech Republic. However, it seems like Scotland, Portugal, New Zealand all at once. Moreover, there are all kinds of animals you have seen only in documentaries about nature.
When I tought Hobart there was absolutely nothing going on in Hobart, Launceston at first seemed even worse. Soon I found out this sleepy town has many interesting nooks and can be quite interesting. Nice houses, brick factories, churches, brewery, a river full of pelicans, and a large city park which holds Japanese macaques. Moreover, Tamar Valley, a vineyard area, is just around the corner.
It is 9 p.m. Streets are almost empty yet you are in Tasmania's largest city which is home to almost quarter of million people. The reason is simple - the city is so vast nobody stays in downtown in the evening. However, it is quite lively and busy during the day. Still, this is a noise and business of a quiet harbor city where is no reason to hurry. Apart from rising number of tourists, there are no radiant tomorrows for the city iteslf.