THE CITY

Melbourne is renowned for its parks, fickle weather, clanging trams, upside-down river, football and its cosmopolitan outlook. It is also the financial capital of Australia.

It is a relatively safe city with a very low crime rate.

About 3.2 million people live in the greater Melbourne area.

The people of Melbourne came from all over the world.

YARRA RIVER

The Yarra River flows right by the city. It is sometimes called "the river that flows upside down" because of its muddy colour. The reason for this colour is because mud particles stay suspended in the water and don't settle to the bottom like in most rivers. It is a very clean river (now).

During the warmer months people like to walk along the river, visit the parks and sunbathe (ouch) along the banks.

The Moomba festival also has a lot of events on the river. I love the birdman competition where they try to see who can fly the furthest after jumping off a bridge. Its very funny.

Melbourne has many public parks and gardens within walking distance of the city centre:

Botanical Gardens was created in the English landscape tradition and extends for 36 hectares along the Yarra River. Flagstaff Gardens the city's first public gardens. Fitzroy Gardens has Captain Cooks Cottage, the Fairy Tree carved with tiny figures and a model Tudor village. Treasury Gardens is close to the state government offices. Carlton Gardens where the Exhibition Buildings are situated. Kings Domain contains the Shrine of Remembrance, La Trobe's Cottage and the Myer Music Bowl.

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