About Melbourne
Melbourne has so much to offer to you as a visitor; from the sporting precints of the MCG and Docklands to the parks and gardens dotted throughout the CBD, from the fine dining of the inner city to the live music mecca that is St Kilda. There is bound to be something for everybody that comes to our fine city. Here are just some of the things to keep you occupied whilst staying in Beautiful Melbourne.
For a more comprehensive look at What's On in Melbourne during your visit, please stop by www.thatsmelbourne.com.au
St Vincent’s Hospital, Melbourne
St. Vincent’s Hospital, Melbourne is in Fitzroy 5 minutes from the Melbourne CBD and provides adult medical, surgical services and a range of community and outreach services. It is a major teaching hospital and a research and tertiary referral centre. The hospital is within easy walking distance to:- Melbourne’s theatres.
- Brunswick and Lygon Streets with their cafes, bars and restaurants.
- Fitzroy Cardens, Carlton Gardens, the Royal Exhibition Building and Melbourne Museum.
- Melbourne’s sporting precinct.
- Numerous hotels and apartments.
Eating in Melbourne
Melbourne as a city is renowned for it’s gastromic delights. The conference venue is only a few minutes stroll from the CBD, where you will find some of the best and best-value eating in this country. Whether you are chasing a quick bite of take-away or an hours long degustation menu, Melbourne is only too happy to oblige. Locals are willing and eager to offer advice and suggestions on where to go and what to order.
Over many years, immigration into Melbourne has seen a vast array of ethnic groups flourish and infuse cultural eating habits into the lives of all Australians. Melbournians take to all food types with equal vigour! Whether it is Lygon Street's Italian Espresso's and Pastas, Brunswick Street's African, Moroccan and Thai delights or Richmond's mystical Vietnamese quarter - there is surely something to tickle any and all of your tastebuds. For traditionalists, there also exists either the Fine Dining or pub meal atmosphere of the CBD and Southbank.
Visit www.thatsmelbourne.com.au for more details on the dining options in Melbourne and surrounding suburbs.
Melbourne Nightlife
After your meal, stroll through Melbourne's cobblestone lanes and alleyways to find a tresure-trove of night time entertainment. There are numerous delights hidden deep in the back streets of the Melbourne CBD: Jazz clubs, Night clubs, Wine bars, Cocktail lounges or pubs - the choice is yours. From retro-relaxed to upper class splendour, there is sure to be some after-hours entertainment to suit both your budget and your style.
If live music is of more interest to you, there are many options an just about any night of the week. Street corners are garnished weekly with "Beat" magazine to guide to a suitable gig. Alternatively, Thursday's and Saturday's editions of The Age newspaper heralds a weekly entertainment guide packed with ideas for night time entertainment.
Shopping
Melbourne rivals the likes of Sydney, London and Milan for it's range and quality of shopping. If you are looking for Department Store service and variety, then look no further than the flagships and icons of Melbourne's shopping history - David Jones and Myer in the heart of the CBD. If you have more specific interests, weaving throughout the central city is a network of laneways and alleys filled with speacialty shops with all manner of supplies; jewellery, books, fashion, food, beauty, shoes, gifts, souvenirs and even homewares - you're sure to find whatever it is you are looking for!
For those after some serious fashion shopping, nothing will surpass Chapel St in South Yarra or Bridge Rd in Richmond for the latest fashion items.
Generally, hours of shopping all accross Melbourne are 9am until 5pm, Saturday to Wednesday with later trading hours on Thursday (usually 7pm) and Friday (usually 9pm).
Sports
Nothing defines Melbourne and it's people better than their association with sports and sporting events. Melbourne is home to some of the world's finest sporting venues and hosts some of the world's premier sporting events. In close proximity to the city you will find the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG), Telstra Dome, Rod Laver Arena, Vodaphone Arena, Olympic Park and Flemington Racecourse - all of which are world class facilities.
Each year, Melbourne hosts a variety of international events including the Autralian Open (Tennis) in January, the Formula 1 Grand Prix in March, the Australian Football League throughout the winter, the AFL Grand Final in September, the Melbourne Cup (horse racing) in November and the Boxing Day Test (cricket) in late December.
Periodically, world-wide sporting events roll into town. In 2006 Melbourne hosted the Commonwealth Games and in 2007, hosted the FINA Wold Cup of Swimming.
Cassandra Hargreaves (ASURA Conference Manager)
PO Box 600
Edgecliff
NSW 2027
Tel: +61 2 9327 4022
Fax: +61 2 9327 7666
Email: chargreaves@fed.asa.org.au
