Surroundings, Melbourne

Because of Melbourne's sheltered situation at the head of Port Phillip Bay there are no surfing beaches in the immediate neighborhood of the city. Surfers have to go further afield, to the seaward coast of the Mornington Peninsula and the coast south of Geelong (Torquay).Close to the city there are popular (and frequently overcrowded) beaches at Port Melbourne, Albert Park and South Melbourne; further south are Elwood, Brighton and Sandringham. The finest sheltered beaches are on the bay side of the Mornington Peninsula to the south of Frankston, which is usually crowded during the holiday season and at weekends.

Some of Melbourne's suburbs, such as Carlton, North Fitzroy and Richmond, which had become rather dilapidated have now taken on a fresh lease of life, and many of the Victorian houses have been lovingly restored. Every suburb has its own character, which depends on the dominant nationality, so to get any overall impression of Melbourne it is important to visit at least some of the suburbs.

Parkville, a district neighboring Melbourne, has many old buildings.

A fashionable meeting place is multicultural Fitzroy with its innumerable bars, restaurants, clubs and off-beat shops. Brunswick Street is particularly colorful.One can go cycling or just stroll in Yarra Bend Park, or visit the Studley Park and Fairfield Park Boathouses.

Richmond was always a predominantly Greek quarter, but recently Vietnamese immigrants have begun to make their mark on it. The Victoria Street area in north Richmond with its numerous Vietnamese restaurants and oriental supermarkets already has the nickname 'Little Saigon'.

Toorak, with its elegant old mansions, tree-lined streets and expensive shops and restaurants, is considered to be Melbourne's wealthiest suburb. Toorak House was the residence of several governors of Victoria and served until 1874 as Government House.

St Kilda is on Port Phillip Bay. The range of entertainment is wide for both locals and tourists in Fitzroy Street - restaurants, night clubs, discos, jazz clubs and the rest cater for every taste. There is also Luna Park, a large and noisy amusement center, the Palais Theatre and the Palais de Danse. There are also pleasant walks along the bay on the promenade and the Esplanade, where there is a bustling market on Sundays. Every evening and on Sunday afternoons at the swinging Esplanade Hotel (or 'Espy') there are live bands.

Williamstown, at the mouth of the Yarra, is one of the oldest parts of Melbourne, the port having been established at the same time as the town. From the piers there are views across Hobsons Bay to Port Melbourne, the skyscrapers in the city center and the high arc of West Gate Bridge. Moored in Williamstown is the old minesweeper Castlemaine, now preserved as a naval museum. In Champion Road, North Williamstown, is the Railway Museum.

The suburbs of South Melbourne, Middle Park and Albert Park, to the south of the city center and the Yarra, have preserved many typical 19th C houses. Armadale, Malvern, Hawthorn, Camberwell and South Yarra, with fine villas set in large gardens, reflect the wealth of their founders. Particularly notable are two grand houses open to the public, Rippon Lea (192 Hotham Street, Elsternwick, to the south of St Kilda), and Como (near Toorak Road, South Yarra).The suburbs of Heidelberg, Box Hill and Beaumaris are associated with the Heidelberg School, the first independent Australian school of painting. The chief members of the group were the painters Roberts, Streeton, McCubbin, Conder and Abrahams. The Montsalvat gallery in a spacious park in the suburb of Eltham is particularly worth noting.