Melbourne, the capital of Victoria and a cultural hub, is known for the good things in life - fashion, food, entertainment and sport. This is a city of style, architecture, trams, theatres and art.

• Planning a 2007 trip to Melbourne? Check out these great events.
• If you're looking to explore farther afield, get ideas on day trips from Melbourne.
  

Queen Victoria Market

The Queen Victoria Market is more than just Melbourne's shopping mecca. This 19th century market is a historic landmark, a tourist attraction and an institution for all Melburnians. The 'Queen Vic' was opened in 1878, but the meat market building (except the Victorian facade) operated from 1866. The area where the back open-air sheds stand used to be Melbourne's first cemetery. Over the years, the market has been a wholesale fruit and vegetable market, and has gone through various expansions and changes reflecting the shopping habits of the growing Melbourne populace.

AFL World

AFL World offers a range of unique and diverse experiences under the one roof. Beyond The AFL Hall of Fame - the nation's greatest tribute to Australian Football and all Australian Football Hall of Fame Legends and Inductees - lays the AFL Experience. The AFL Experience is a football adventure offering an eclectic blend of sound, vision and interaction that has been designed to get the blood pumping. Groundbreaking technology allows visitors to get active, vocal and even a little nervous as they kick for goal, commentate the biggest game in town on Triple MMM and host The Footy Show.

Champions: Australian Racing Hall of Fame

Champions encompasses some of the greatest treasures from Australia's racing history ever to be displayed. Amongst the hundreds of assets on display are Phar Lap's saddle and bridle; Tullochs he an 1872 Melbourne Cup dress, Bart Cummings' prized 11 trainers Melbourne Cup trophies and information on racing's Hall of Fame inductees. A highlight of the museum is Carbine's skeleton combined with a magnificent animation bringing him to life and giving insight into the anatomy of a champion.

Cook's Cottage

The original Cottage was built in 1755 in Yorkshire, England by James and Grace Cook - the parents of the famous English navigator - Captain James Cook RN. Purchased by Sir Russell Grimwade, in 1933, for 800 pounds, the Cottage was dismantled, numbered, sealed in cases, and then shipped to Victoria. Here the Cottage was re-assembled in the beautiful Fitzroy Gardens, and presented to the people of Victoria by Sir Russell Grimwade to commemorate a century of European settlement in Victoria (1934).

Gold Treasury

The Old Treasury is regarded as one of the finest public buildings in Australia. Completed in 1862, it was the major government office in Melbourne throughout the 19th century, and second only to Parliament House as the centre of state affairs. Designed by a 19 year old architect, John James Clark, it is widely considered to be one of the finest examples of Renaissance Revival architecture in Australia. Until 1992, the building housed a succession of government departments including the city office of the Victorian Governor.

National Gallery of Victoria

The National Gallery of Victoria has two magnificent galleries located a short walk apart - both with free entry to the permanent collection. Victorians and our visitors can now enjoy two public art galleries within one magnificent arts precinct. Stretching from the top of St Kilda Road across the Yarra River to Federation Square, this cultural heartland encompasses the transformed NGV International on St Kilda Road, The Ian Potter Centre: NGV Australia at Federation Square, and The Arts Centre - all just a short stroll from each other.