In Melbourne, dining is an event, drinking coffee is a spectator sport, and shopping is an adventure not to be taken lightly.

Long regarded as the food and shopping capital of Australia, Melbourne offers a huge range of options to cater for all tastes and budgets.

Recently described by internationally-renowned chef Gordon Ramsay, as "the culinary engine room" of Australia, Melbourne boasts a wondrous array of dining spots offering all of the world's great cuisines. Some of Australia's best wineries are located within a short drive of the city centre. And Melbourne is the only Australian city represented in the Global Network of Great Wine Capitals.

Cafés, bars and pubs occupy prime viewing sites, where you can watch and be watched, whilst other hidden locations demand an adventurous spirit. In Melbourne you're likely to find the most exciting new addition to the thriving bar scene, a fabulous art gallery or the latest designer boutique tucked away in a narrow alleyway, or behind an unprepossessing door. Of course, it's all great fun and a testimony to Melbourne's unpretentious yet stylish character.

However, what you can't miss is the stunning architecture that identifies the city as a truly unique blend of old and new. In Melbourne, coloured blades, reflective glass and the free-fall geometry of contemporary architecture combine with heritage buildings to create a dramatic and visually exciting urban landscape.