Melbourne, Australia by Lindy

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Melbourne has been voted the world most livable city.  We are a very multicultural city with restaurants of many cultures, Greek, Chinese, Japanese, Thai, Italian, just to name a few.  I live in Frankston, a beach suburb of Melbourne.  Located on Port Phillip Bay we are the Gateway to the beautiful Mornington Peninsula. The Mornington Peninsula is well known for its beautiful beaches and wineries.  Some of Melbourne's biggest attractions are the Rialto building, the Arts Centre spire and the MCG. If a friend came to stay I would take them into the city of Melbourne, take them to the observation deck on the top of the Rialto Building, which is our tallest building in the southern hemisphere.  I would take them to our beautiful botanic gardens in the city.  Also, I would take them down the Mornington Peninsula near where I live and take them to the top of Arthurs Seat which is a mountain overlooking all of Port Phillip Bay.

Offices and waterfront buildings light up the Melbourne skyline at dusk. Victoria.

Our country celebrates Australia Day on January 26, and most people have a "long weekend" and spend time with the family.  Its usually very hot so we go to the beach or have a barbecue.  Our most celebrated sporting event in Melbourne is the AFL grand final, our football game celebrated on the last Saturday in September. In general, Melbournians love to go the beach, relax by the beach, have barbecues in the park, the younger set love to check out the nightclubs in the city. AFL (Australian Football League) football and cricket would have to be the most popular.  Its a fun game, and people just love to relax and watch the game.  Cricket is the summer sport and Football is our winter sport.

Office building stand in the Melbourne skyline along the Yarra River in Melbourne

I think other people think we are maybe "backward" and that kangaroos wander around and its all red dust and outback.  Its not like that at all.  Its probably perceived from "Crocodile Dundee" and tv. We are such a friendly, easy going nation. We are so relaxed with a great sense of humour. I am so proud of being an Australian, I wouldn't change that for anything.

Bathhouses on the beach in Melbourne.