10 Great Free Stuff To Do in Melbourne, Australia

Melbourne is one of the most liveliest and beautiful cities in Australia. It is the cultural hub of the country and there is always so much to do and see in Melbourne, that a day or two often extends a short holiday. Melbourne offers a lot to those tourists too, who are on a budget holiday and want to explore the city for free. In addition to the budget accommodation found there, There are a number of great free things to do in Melbourne such as:

1. Federation Square

Federation Square

Federation Square is located on the route of the free city circle tram. It is a huge space packed with restaurants and bars. However it is also the place to catch all the major sporting events of the world on the huge television set that is mounted at the federation square. It is an experience in itself to watch an adrenalin packed match with crowds that cheer and jeer at each and every victory and defeat. There are a number of museums there, and tourists can visit them and catch a cultural glimpse of the city and the best part of all - the entry to the museums is free!

2. Australian Center for the Moving Image

The Australian Center for the Moving Image is located at the Federation Square and it is a treasure trove of almost everything pertaining to screen-based art. Crowds throng the museum on weekends and it is a delight to learn the evolution of art through the exhibits. The center is open 10 am to 5pm on Monday to Fridays. On the weekend and on public holidays the center is open from 10 am to 6pm.

3. City Circle Tram

It is a cultural lesson in itself to travel by the city circle tram to all the major tourist spots of the city. And that is because the trams are very old and historical plus there is a running commentary that gives details about the places that one is visiting. The city circle tram has an old world charm about it and perhaps the best part about it is that it's totally free!

4. National Gallery of Victoria

The celebrated National Gallery of Victoria is located on the St. Kilda Road and it is the place to go to in case you are an art buff. It houses the works of some of the most famous and biggest artists, of not only Australia but of the world as well.

5. Royal Botanic Gardens

They are one of the best botanical gardens in the world and a trip to them is not to be missed at all.

6. Picnic in Edinburgh Gardens

Edinburg Gardens are beautiful and landscaped with a lot of love. In case you have some time on your hands then do pack a picnic lunch and head there for an awesome time.

7. Go cycling by the Yarra River

Yarra River

Tourists also enjoy to cycle alongside the Yarra River. They not only manage to get their dose of exercise but catch the beautiful scenery of the river also.

8. Watch fireballs by the River in the night

Post 8pm, there are fireworks by the Yarra River and you can catch the exhilarating display for free!

9. Festivals and Street Parties

Melbourne hosts a number of festivals and street parties such as the Moomba, Vietnamese Festival, Northcote Festival etc. They are the place to be if you want some great live music, yummy street food and a great fun-filled atmosphere.

10.Picnic at the Fitzroy Gardens

Fitzroy Gardens are an out of the world experience with their miniature villages, dragons and fairies. If you want to pamper the inner child in you, then just head to the Fitzroy Gardens with a picnic basket and have a whale of a time.

Melbourne is a great city and it is a boon for all the budget travelers who have a beautiful vacation without burning a hole in their pockets!

Related post:  How The Kengaroo Is Part of Australian Culture And Symbol

Read More

Great Accommodation Options in Australia and New Zealand

Australia and New Zealand are known for their distinguished sense of hospitality which is one of the things for which the two countries stand out as ideal places for tourists and travelers on business. Whether you're traveling as a tourist or on business, you should expect amazing surprises when it comes to hospitality. From the streets of Sydney to the indigenous communities, you can feel the hospitality of the people. If you're traveling to any of these two countries, you can be sure that accommodation cannot be a major problem.

Hotels in Australia and New Zealand

Accommodation options in these countries will range from dorms to luxurious hotels and executive suites that are most suitable for honeymoon. There are hostels that welcome tourists and travelers with a very tight budget. In New Zealand, you'll find such hostels nestled by the seaside and close to the most frequented tourist sites like beaches. Finding accommodation facilities that are accessible and that offer scenic views of the surrounding landscapes will be very easy as most of them are designed to offer the best comfort to tourists while allowing them to get a great experience of the places they are visiting.

Australia offers a wide range of accommodation options that are designed to make visitors blend with the spirit of the communities, with hostels nestled close to the countryside or right in the middle of the busy cities. You'll really have a hard time making a choice given the different types of accommodation facilities across the country. You'll find backpackers and self-serviced apartments

Hostels in Australia and New Zealand

which are the most suitable lodging for those who'd want some privacy. Australia also has hostels offering travel and escort services. You'll find dorms, private rooms, luxury resorts and rustic country houses. Hostels and dorms are great for travelers who want to meet others and expand their world of friends. No matter your budget, you'll find affordable accommodation when sojourning in Australia. You can also opt for camping and farm stays which are very affordable or choose a high class hotel with personified services that may range from babysitting to exceptional room service.

Resorts in Australia and New Zealand

New Zealand has a plethora of hospitality facilities which range from bungalows to Five Star hotels. If you're working on a tight budget, you can find affordable accommodation and still enjoy the best the country has to offer. You'll find accessible accommodation of all types wherever you turn, including apartments, dorms at very cheap rates, bed and breakfast, lodges and retreats, motels and motor lodges, beach houses and backpackers, and many more. If you're an outgoing kind of person, then the hostels in New Zealand will be the best type of accommodation for you as you can socialize with other travelers. Those accommodation rooms that are shared by two or more persons are great for those who would want to save on their lodging as the room rates are often split between the tenants.

If you are planning to travel to Australia or New Zealand, then it would be better to make your research before setting out on your trip. You can choose the type of accommodation depending on your needs and budget. No matter your budget, and no matter your reason of traveling to either of the two countries, you'll certainly find the best accommodation at the most affordable price. You can also get discounts in prestigious hotels if you book your hotel room early.

Read More

How The Kengaroo Is Part of Australian Culture And Symbol

The Kangaroo is an animal which is unique and is found exclusively in Australia, though some of the smaller species can also be found in New Guinea. Kangaroos belong to the Marsupial family meaning large foot. They have large and powerful hind legs, large feet ideal for leaping and a long tail for balance. They are the only land creature which moves by hopping instead of walking or running like the other species. The female kangaroo gives birth to premature offspring's and carry them in a pouch, located on the stomach regions of the female kangaroo. The Kangaroo is a wild free beast which travels great distances for food and water. It has no fear of predators.

The Kangaroo is the national animal of Australia and its unofficial symbol. It appears on the Australian Coat of arms and in some of the currency notes in Australia. It has come to symbolize Australia to such an extent that it regularly appears in following organizations and institutions.

Qantas, the Australian National Airline

It appears in the logo of Qantas, the Australian National Airline.

In order to ensure that it is instantly recognized as Australia around the world, tourism Australia has incorporated it in its logo.

The Australian Royal Air force uses the symbol of a bounding red kangaroo.

Warships of the Australian Royal Navy also use the kangaroo on their funnel.

The kangaroo is a cultural icon of Australia and symbolize the free spirit and adventure so endemic to the Australian way of life. Though Australia is also a country of immigrants (mostly from Britain), it has largely been influenced by Western Europe and America. Dominance of English, a democratic system drawn from Westminster and American federal system of governance, Christianity as the predominant religion, popularity of cricket and rugby speaks of Anglo-Celtic tradition. Significantly in the over 2 centuries of British settlement in Australia, Australian culture has acquired a distinctive flavor which is significantly different from either the British or American cultures. 

SOME OF THE CULTURAL SYMBOLS UNIQUELY AUSTRALIAN 

Sydney Opera House

The most obvious symbols of Australian cultural symbols are Sydney Opera House & the National Gallery of Victoria. But the country has carved a unique niche in the fields of literature, theater architecture, visual arts, cinema and music. Some of the cultural icons of this country of nascent origin, which has made a telling mark the world over are Rupert Murdoch-the media magnet, Mel Gibson-Hollywood actor & director, Nicole Kidman-Oscar winning actor, AC DC-the hard rock group, Patrick White-the Nobel prize winner for literature and so on.

The Aussie way of life symbolizes a rich tradition of adventure and free enterprise. This enterprising nature of the countrymen is visible from the opulent and squeakily clean cities, healthy GDP, home to global MNCs, a thriving education sector (the preferred destination for students worldwide after the United States). That this country has achieved so much in such a short time, speaks volumes of the energy and spirit of the Aussies, aptly symbolized by the hopping Kangaroo hopping graciously with vigor and vitality.

What do you think about this post? Please share in the comments below.

Read More