G’day, and welcome to Melbourne! Today, we’re going to discover one of Australia’s most exciting and diverse cities, from its grand historic buildings and hidden laneways to world-famous sporting venues, beautiful gardens, waterfront neighbourhoods and some fantastic views of the Melbourne skyline. We’ll begin right here in the heart of the city, passing landmarks like Queen Victoria Market, the Old Melbourne Gaol, Parliament House and the magnificent Royal Exhibition Building. We’ll explore Melbourne’s famous sporting and cultural precincts, cross the Yarra River, pass the Shrine of Remembrance and Royal Botanic Gardens, and then make our way towards Albert Park Lake. From there, the character of the tour changes completely as we head for the coast. We’ll cruise through lively St Kilda, pass its beach, historic theatre and famous Luna Park, and then follow Port Phillip south through Elwood before finishing at colourful Brighton Beach and its iconic bathing boxes. Along the way, I’ll share some of the stories, history and fun facts that make Melbourne such a fascinating city, while pointing out plenty of places you may want to come back and explore on foot later. So get comfortable, keep your eyes on the road, and leave the storytelling to me. We have a lot of Melbourne to discover today, so when you’re ready, let’s get going!
