Melbourne is set around the shores of Port Phillip Bay. The city itself, laid out in a large rectangle and boasting a lively and cosmopolitan pulse, sits on the northern banks of the Yarra River, about five kilometers from the bay. One glance at a map and it's obvious that Melbourne is a planned city: a tidy, balanced grid of neatly angled streets. But beneath this sense of everything in its place restraint lies a restless creative energy constantly pushing back at the city's seeming conservatism.

The past is always present in Victoria. Nearly everywhere you look, you'll discover evidence of the state's proud and fascinating history, from elegant Victorian-era buildings and beautifully preserved goldmining towns to Murray River paddle steamers and steam trains, bushrangers' lairs and ancient Aboriginal artifacts. Extending around the bay is a number of inner suburbs, each with its own distinct character and personality. A short tram ride from the city centre, Melbourne's suburban neighborhoods are a must see for anyone wanting to experience what life here is really all about.

Victoria has a multitude of transport options to get you here by air, bus, train, car or boat either inter-state travel or overseas. Australia's major domestic carriers are Qantas, Virgin Blue and Jet star. Peak times for airfares are generally between November and January, especially around Christmas. If you're planning to come in summer, book in advance.

From North America, you can catch a direct flight to Melbourne, as well as a number of single-stop services. Excluding stopovers, flying time to Melbourne is around 20 hours from New York or Toronto, 18 hours from Vancouver, or 15 hours from Los Angeles. From New Zealand, there is a range of flights available to Melbourne, with those from Auckland taking approximately three-and-a-half hours.