Australia
Melbourne
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Welcome to Australia! Melbourne is a lively city built along the Yarra River, known for its grand old buildings, buzzing sports culture, and laneways tucked between skyscrapers.
Why is it famous?
Melbourne is Australia's second-largest city and is often ranked among the most pleasant cities in the world to live in.
It's known as the country's sporting and cultural capital, hosting the Australian Open tennis tournament and huge cricket and football matches every year.
How did it grow so big?
Melbourne was founded by settlers in 1835 beside the Yarra River, on land that Aboriginal peoples had lived on for tens of thousands of years.
During the gold rush of the 1850s, huge numbers of people arrived hoping to strike it rich, and the city grew incredibly quickly, becoming one of the wealthiest cities in the world at the time.
Amazing facts
The Melbourne Cricket Ground, nicknamed 'the MCG,' is one of the largest stadiums on Earth and can hold around 100,000 cheering fans.
The Royal Exhibition Building is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the oldest exhibition buildings still standing anywhere in the world.
Quick facts
- The Melbourne Cricket Ground, nicknamed 'the MCG,' is one of the largest stadiums on Earth and can hold around 100,000 cheering fans.
- The Royal Exhibition Building is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the oldest exhibition buildings still standing anywhere in the world.
- Melbourne's tram network is one of the largest in the world, with tracks winding all through the city and its suburbs.
- Flinders Street Station, with its bright yellow dome, was one of the busiest train stations in the world when it opened in 1854.