Travel Oz: The Magic Of Melbourne

Film Gorillas

Documentary - 15 Minutes - Color    ***Available in the following languages:  Japanese, Mandarin, German, Korean, French, Spanish, Italian & English    We take a look at Australia's most cosmopolitan city.  From a trip along the Yarra River we see all that Melbourne has to offer.  From Parliament House to spectacular skyscrapers and its vibrant city lifestyle.  Visit Federation Square and the fun of downtown shopping.  This film shows the 'capital' at its very best, with cool cafes and funky bars.  We look at Melbourne's impressive tram system as well as a leisurely stroll through spectacular parks and gardens.  The excitement of the Melbourne Cup Carnival ends your Melbourne experience.    Star: Greg Grainger

Transcript

00:00Welcome to Melbourne where things are not always what they seem.

00:12A black doorway could lead to an opulent restaurant.

00:17A spiral staircase could climb to a lively rooftop bar.

00:22Or a tiny cul-de-sac could conceal a dozen cafes, galleries and designer boutiques.

00:29Melbourne may seem like a tidy, balanced, cosmopolitan city, but beneath that sense

00:34of everything being in its place lies a restless, creative energy, constantly pushing back at

00:41the city's seeming conservatism.

00:52Melbourne is set around the shores of Port Phillip Bay.

01:00The city itself sits on the northern banks of the Yarra River, a magnificent setting

01:05for water sports such as rowing and kayaking.

01:10The discovery of gold in Victoria in the 1850s led to the Victorian Gold Rush and the rapid

01:15growth of this city.

01:17This heady rush of development led to the construction of many institutional buildings.

01:24Buildings such as Parliament House, the Supreme Court and the University.

01:31The architecture in Melbourne is known throughout the world for its breathtaking 19th century

01:36Victorian buildings.

01:38Melbourne is also renowned for the contrast between the significantly modern and creative

01:4421st century developments.

01:50Melbourne has some of the highest skyscrapers in Australia, and with no height restrictions

01:54in the city, there are no limits to the height Melbourne might take you.

02:00Need it?

02:01Federation Square.

02:02Everyone else does.

02:04Federation Square is a unique cultural area.

02:07It's also one of the most visited tourist attractions in Melbourne.

02:13Federation Square is home to museums, design centres, as well as a wide range of restaurants,

02:20cafes, bars and shops.

02:23Federation Square is where friends meet, cultures meet and worlds meet.

02:32Today Melbourne is known as a major centre of commerce.

02:38It's also a centre of cultural activity.

02:41In fact, the city is referred to as Australia's cultural capital.

02:47Melbourne has a long and rich coffee culture, beginning with Victorian era coffee palaces,

02:53further enhanced by Italian migrants arriving in the aftermath of World War II.

03:03The aroma of espresso floats down the streets and laneways, as the tempting scent brings

03:15visitors down the odd looking alleys to discover a nonchalant cafe.

03:23Melbourne is a city of style and sophistication, with an inviting cosmopolitan atmosphere revolving

03:31around wining and dining.

03:34Its diverse background, with many styles of restaurants, bistros and bars, reflect Melbourne's

03:40cuisine fashionable, eclectic and eccentric.

03:46Melbourne's dining spots offer the world's greatest cuisines, serving meals from the

03:50substantial and classic to truly exotic.

03:55Melbourne's city centre is well known for its historic and attractive lanes and arcades.

04:03Artists have taken on the task of masking the brick walls with large, beautiful and

04:07very interesting murals.

04:10The city is full of nooks and crannies and they're all filled with shopping delights.

04:18Whether you're after high fashion or something thrifty, Melbourne's magnificent shopping

04:23choices make it difficult to decide where to start your spree.

04:28Melbourne has been crowned the premier shopping destination in Australia, offering a unique

04:36retail experience to all visitors and the perfect place to find the style that suits

04:41you.

04:42From locally designed originals to the best of international brands, you'll be spoilt

04:47for choice in Melbourne's myriad of arcades and laneways.

04:56Melbourne also has amazing parks and gardens, many of them with a European influence.

05:02The city's collection of parks and gardens can rival that of any city in the world and

05:06the good news is that most of them are within easy walking distance of the city.

05:11A great activity for the day is to stroll through the gardens and bring a picnic with

05:16you.

05:21When the sun sets on the city of Melbourne, things really heat up.

05:26Melbourne's nightlife awaits you.

05:30Wander the city's broad boulevards and narrow lanes to discover a wealth of places to enjoy

05:35a drink, kick back or dance until dawn.

05:50Once forgotten warehouses and obscure old buildings have emerged as designer cool caves

05:56for patrons' pleasures.

06:02Super swanky or way too cheap?

06:06Whatever your taste or budget, it awaits you in Melbourne.

06:18This is also when the best street performers come out to entertain.

06:32If you're worried about how you're going to get all these activities accomplished,

06:43look no further than Melbourne's impressive public transportation.

06:48Melbourne's trams were first introduced in 1885 and are now the largest tram network

06:53in the world.

06:54By the mid-1970s, as other cities became increasingly choked with traffic and air pollution, Melbourne

07:01was convinced that its decision to retain its trams was the right one.

07:06Melbourne's trams contribute greatly to the city's distinctive character and are held

07:10in great affection by the people of Melbourne.

07:13In fact, one of the trams has been transformed into a travelling restaurant.

07:18That combines two of Melbourne's essential experiences, taking a tram ride and eating

07:23some great food.

07:25You'll glide through the city streets, taking in the sights and sounds of Melbourne while

07:29having a sumptuous four-course meal.

07:32Melbourne enjoys a well-deserved reputation as a sport-loving city.

07:37Scarcely a month passes when there is not a major sporting event being hosted.

07:42From tennis to horse racing, Melbourne's enviable range of sporting activities will keep even

07:48the most discerning fan entertained.

07:50The Melbourne Cup has been deemed the race that stops a nation, with an unparalleled

07:55celebration of racing, style and glamour.

08:19For one week in spring, the Flemington Racecourse becomes the focus of the nation's corporate

08:24social and equine activity.

08:27If there is ever a place to be seen in an eccentric hat, then this is certainly where you belong.

08:47And then there's the exciting race itself.

08:54It's amazing!

09:08From the beginning of the parade with its famous faces, to the last remaining glass

09:13of champagne, Melbourne Cup Carnival is a week not to be missed.

09:18Melbourne Cup, one of the most celebrated races of all time and the great way to finish

09:23our tour of the Victorian capital of Melbourne.

09:53www.melbournecup.co.uk

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