World Congress 2010 - About Melbourne

“Wominjeka!” (“Welcome to Melbourne!”)

We respectfully acknowledge the Traditional Owners of the Kulin Nation, a place now known by its European name of Melbourne.

Today, Melbourne is one of the great multicultural cities of the world, and is a significant meeting place.
For the Wurundjeri, Boonerwrung, Taungurong, Djajawurrung and the Wathaurung people who make up the Kulin Nation, Melbourne has always been an important meeting place and location for social, educational, sporting and cultural events and activities.

Today, people from all cultures and backgrounds come to Melbourne to experience all our modern city has to offer. There is a lot to love about Melbourne and its lifestyle. Enjoy and explore Melbourne's events, arts, culture, cafes, restaurants, laneways, parks, gardens and so much more!

Melbourne is a magnet for people because its distinctive characteristics create memorable experiences and a vibrant lifestyle. Melbourne’s appeal is the emotion, feeling and memory of experience built around the city’s distinctive physical characteristics:

• an unusual street and laneway network

• the Yarra River                                             

• parks and gardens of renown  

• transport infrastructure which includes an extensive tram network 

• beautiful heritage buildings and cutting-edge new structures

Melbourne has a feeling of openness and natural light. Building height limits and heritage controls have kept the city at a human scale while highlighting its diversity and creativity.
At the street level, Melbourne’s labyrinth of connecting laneways and arcades provide an ‘other world’ experience of intimate spaces and mystery, home to many of Melbourne’s bar, dining and shopping ‘secrets’. 

Melbourne provides a logical canvas for artistic expression and its laneways are home to sometimes controversial street art. Melburnians also love a party, with the year-round calendar of events offering something for everyone.

Our multicultural population contributes to the city’s unique atmosphere. Melbourne is home to people of 140 different cultures: Indigenous Australians, post war European migrants, and recent arrivals from India, Somalia, Malaysia and beyond.
Sustainability is a focus for the growing city.

Melbourne is leading the way in sustainable urban design, reduced water consumption and a commitment to zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2020.

The lifestyle that makes Melbourne a magnet for so many people lies in the combination of these things. It is the sum of its parts – and more.

Tourism Melbourne                                                                           
www.thatsmelbourne.com.au                                                  
www.visitvictoria.com                                                            
www.melbourneaustralia.org

Tourism Victoria                                                               
www.tourism.vic.gov.au

Tourism Australia                                                              
www.tourism.australia.com

Indigenous Culture in Melbourne                            
www.thatsmelbourne.com.au/Placestogo/indigenous

Arts in Melbourne                                             
www.melbourne.vic.gov.au/AboutMelbourne/ArtsandEvents

Melbourne Parks and Activities                     
www.melbourne.vic.gov.au/ParksandActivities

Melbourne Weather                                     
www.melbourneaustralia.org/climate.html

Melbourne Maps                                         
www.melbourne.vic.gov.au/AboutMelbourne/CityMaps

Public Transport Information                                     
www.metlinkmelbourne.com.au                                                 
www.yarratrams.com.au                                                                
www.vline.com.au

Hire Car Service                                                                              
www.hertz.com.au

Domestic and International Flights                                         
www.flightcentre.com.au