Visit the film location: Melbourne

It's just been named ‘The World's Most Liveable City', is known as the cultural capital of Australia, has been recognised as the world's ‘Ultimate Sports Destination' and is the number one holiday spot for Aussies who want to chill out in their own country. So, if you've yet to take a trip Down Under and are still dithering about where to pick up that souvenir didgeridoo, take your travel cues from the natives - Melbourne is a total must-see.

Attracting millions of visitors each year, the country's second largest city sits astride the Yarra River at the very top of the beautiful Port Phillip Bay and boasts a quirky mix of elegant Victorian architecture, dazzling skyscrapers, spectacular parks, gardens and beaches.

Renowned for its many and varied year-round festivals, sporting events, gourmet foods, vibrant arts scene, buzzing nightlife and dynamic melting pot of international inhabitants, Melbourne oozes an über-cosmopolitan vibe that has seen it dubbed ‘the Paris of the South' and made it one of the world's coolest and most culturally diverse cities.

As beautiful as it is bustling, Melbourne's many must-sees demand much more than a fortnight's stay. From classic tourist attractions such as landmark cultural space, Federation Square, as well as the Melbourne Aquarium, Museum and famous Melbourne Zoo, along with the National Gallery of Victoria or The City's Cricket Ground, Melbourne is a magnet for the arty, sporty, animal-loving, hard-partying, laid back, old, young, well-travelled and wide-eyed explorers of the world - in short, there really is something for everyone. Indeed the only issue the Melbourne visitor may experience is how to see and do everything they want during their waking hours.

Ready, steady, shop!

If it's retail therapy you're after, Melbourne is considered by many to be Australia's equivalent of London or New York. From the swanky department stores and haute ateliers such as Melbournian babe Dannii Minogue's fave J'Aton Couture, to tucked away lanes brimming with one-off fashion and vintage boutiques, shopping queens will find an overwhelming number of ways to fritter away their hard-earned cash on some essential (and not so essential) wardrobe additions. Hit the pounding heart of the shopping district between Swanston and Elizabeth Streets - open only to trams and pedestrians - for high street splurging, then head to Fitzroy, the über-hip and bohemian Melbourne hangout where people from all walks of life go to shop, eat, drink, meet and dance. Love markets? Melbourne has dozens scattered across the city but the Rose Street Artists' Market is where those in-the-know find Melbourne's art and design talent. With a huge line-up of creative types showcasing everything from art, homewares, photography, clothing, accessories, jewellery and more, expect to lose yourself for hours in this weekend shopping institution. If vintage is more your bag, Round She Goes is an award-winning thrice-yearly event that boasts dozens of stalls of pre-loved designer fashion and quality vintage clothing, as well as handmade jewellery and accessories by local designers. Vintage-loving ladies should not expect to leave empty handed, with an extra suitcase for all those buys as much a necessity as your passport.

Entertainment, Aussie-style

The birthplace of Australian television and some of the world's first feature films, Melbourne has raised all manner of stars including Kylie Minogue, Cate Blanchett and Eric Bana, and is home to the Melbourne International Arts Festival, Melbourne International Film Festival, Melbourne International Comedy Festival and the Melbourne Fringe Festival.

Meanwhile, the Australian Ballet and Melbourne Symphony Orchestra are top of the list for visiting culture vultures keen to indulge their love of all things goose-bump inducing.

If music is your first love and your last, Melbourne also boasts Australia's largest concentration of live music venues where local and international bands belt out everything from grunge rock and techno to jazz, blues and avant-garde. And foodies will find it impossible not to put on some extra kilos when exploring the city and its neighbouring regions - whether you're tasting the delights of the Yarra Valley, sampling the incredible array of haute cuisine, or chilling at any number of hip bistros or one-off street-eats hideaways, Melbourne is a magnificent place to munch.

anything from canoes to yachts - just make sure you take time to stop off for lunch at the Grand Bahama Yacht Club. When it comes to water sports you're spoilt for choice, with banana boat rides, jet-ski hire and parasailing all on offer. But a must-do on your holiday checklist is to sign up for a dolphin encounter at Blue Lagoon island.

The Smaller Islands

If seeking out the best kept secret is de rigueur for you on your vacation, then Rum Cay, one of the most scenic cays in the region, will fit the bill. Rent a cosy cottage from which to explore the island, where you can stumble across crumbling stone plantation walls amidst the rolling green hills. Out at sea, just beyond the reef, adventurous divers can experience the wreck of HMS Conqueror, which sank in 1861, and still resides there in about 30 feet of water. Find more relics of the past on San Salvador, where ruins of the island's former cotton industry loom large on emerald hills, the Dixon Hill lighthouse cuts an imposing figure against the skyline, and walking through the ivy strewn gates of the ruined late 18th-century Watlings Estate feels like stepping back in time.

Healsville Sanctuary

Animal lover? Head out of Melbourne to the world renowned Healesville Sanctuary, for close-up encounters with some of Australia's most endearing wildlife, including koalas, kangaroos, wombats, emus, dingoes, birds of prey and platypus. It's also a fab place to enjoy the best food and wine the Yarra Valley has to offer.

Her Majesty's Theatre

An Australian cultural icon, ‘The Maj' is Melbourne's home to the world's greatest stage shows, and has played host to every kind of stage show from Mama-Mia to Miss Saigon. A heritage listed lyric theatre that has been entertaining audiences since 1886, the beautiful Art Deco venue this year celebrates 125 years of "Entertaining Australia"

Colonial Tramcar Restaurant

A brilliant way to see the city as you indulge in some of its awesome gastronomy, dinner on board one of Melbourne's award-winning tramcar restaurants simply cannot be missed. Cosy, quirky and undeniably romantic, if the food and service don't have you hooked, the period charm of these glossy burgundy colonial beauties will.

Stay here:

Budget

Brooklyn Arts Hotel

More of a quirky B&B than a full-fledged hotel, this establishment makes for a great value stay on the city's north side in Fitzroy. The grand Victorian converted terrace home is within walking distance of the city, and is super-bijou, with just seven guest rooms - one of which even boasts its own piano.
www.brooklynartshotel.com.au 

Mid Range

The Cullen, Prahan, Melbourne

Offering impressive views of the Melbourne skyline, boutique hotel The Cullen, takes its style cues from the art of Australia's enfant terrible, Adam Cullen, offering cool, contemporary rooms decorated with original paintings and prints, along with two restaurants, a bar, Smart cars for hire and bespoke bikes. Shopping addicts will love the fashionable Prahan location too, right opposite the food market.
www.artserieshotels.com.au/cullen 

Luxury

Park Hyatt Melbourne, Parliament Square, Melbourne

Overlooking St Patrick's Cathedral, the posh and super-plush Park Hyatt Melbourne is just a mini-stroll away from Melbourne Cricket Ground, home of the Australian Football League and test cricket. Plus, the world renowned Tutankhamun exhibition at Melbourne Museum and the best boutique shopping, cafés, restaurants and theatre districts are just minutes away.
www.melbourne.park.hyatt.com

Filmed there: Don't Be Afraid of the Dark, Mad Max, Where The Wild Things Are

Fly there: Emirates fly direct to Melbourne. Visit www.emirates.com

Celeb fans: Dannii Minogue