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Orientation Melbourne's city centre is about 3km (1.8 miles) inland, on the north bank of the Yarra River. It consists of a mixture of elegant and kitsch 19th century architecture and self-important skyscrapers. The main north-south artery, Swanston Street is mostly a pedestrian mall, while Bourke (also a mall for part of its extent) and Collins Streets, which cross it are the city's other main shopping thoroughfares. The Yarra River forms the city's area southern boundary. Melbourne is notoriously flat but this lack of definition makes it an easy city to get around. Transport is available by tram, train or bus with one ticket purchase to applicable to all within the specified zone. The city's airport, Tullamarine, is 22km (14mi) northwest of the city centre. The interstate train station Spencer Street and the Metropolitan station Flinders Street are both in the city center. Melbourne has an international cuisine with an abundance of fresh produce so there are excellent eating opportunities to suit any palette and budget. History There were about 38 tribal groups living around Victoria when white people arrived. Aborigines were traditionally tribal people living in extended family groups and using the environment sustainable. It is believed that Aboriginal people were the first to make polished, edge-ground stone tools, to cremate their dead and to engrave and paint representations of themselves and animals. Although the society was technologically simple, they are culturally sophisticated, using complex ceremonies, which integrated religion, history, law, and codes of behavior. Soon after settlement the Aboriginal people were dispossessed of their lands and massacred. Between 1834 and 1860 Victoria's Aboriginal population dropped from 15,000 to 2,000. Melbourne was established in 1835 by a group of Tasmanian entrepreneurs and is the youngest city of its size in the world. The colony of Victoria was formed in 1851,with Melbourne as it capital. Gold was discovered which bought prosperity and a huge influx of immigrants from around the world. In 30 years the designs of the city's architects, the skills of its many European tradespeople and the designation of large areas of the city for public park land has established what is known as 'Marvelous Melbourne'. The ethnic mix of Melbourne has always been and important influence on the city's character. The Chinese and Irish diggers attracted by the gold in the 19th century and the postwar arrival of refugees and migrants from all over Europe and Asia all contributing elements of their culture in contribution of what Melbourne is today. Melbourne is a modern, vibrant multicultural city with lots to see and do. |
