Melbourne's attractions may not have quite the fame as some of Sydney's, but visitors come here to experience the contrasts of old-world architecture and the exciting feel of a truly multicultural city.
Sorting Out Your Sightseeing -- Much of Melbourne's appeal comes from soaking up the atmosphere on a walk around the city. If you have time to see only one major attraction, make it the atmospheric Old Melbourne Gaol. Other top-of-the-list sights include Federation Square, the National Gallery of Victoria, and the Royal Botanic Gardens. If you have time, head to Phillip Island to see the fairy penguins.
The Air Up There -- Once Melbourne's highest lookout, the Melbourne Observation Deck now has hot competition in the bid to claim the city's best views. From May 2007, Melbourne has had a new vertigo-challenging experience. Unless you have an extreme fear of heights, head to the Eureka Skydeck 88, the highest public vantage point in the Southern Hemisphere. On the 88th floor of the Eureka Tower (Riverside Quay, Southbank; tel. 03/9685 0188; www.eurekatower.com.au), the viewing deck gives a 360-degree view of the city below from 285m (935 ft.) above ground. But there's more adrenaline-pumping action than just the view. A huge moving glass cube called The Edge is a 6-ton horizontal elevator, which moves from inside the walls of Skydeck 88, carrying 12 passengers out over the tower's east side. As the opaque glass cube reaches its full extension, the reinforced, 45 millimeter-thick (1 3/4-in.) glass becomes clear, giving passengers uninterrupted -- and incredibly scary -- views below, above, and to three sides. All this accompanied by recorded sounds of creaking chains and breaking glass -- just to scare you more! Ticket prices are A$17 (US$14/UK£6.80) adults and A$9 (US$7.20/UK£3.60) children, plus an extra A$12 (US$9.60/UK£4.80) adults and A$8 (US$6.40/UK£3.20) children for the 4-minute-long ride on The Edge. Open daily 10am to 10pm. By contrast, the Melbourne Observation Deck on the 55th floor -- that's 253m (830 ft.) above the street -- of the Rialto Building, 525 Collins St. (tel. 03/9629 8222; www.melbournedeck.com.au), now seems a bit tame. Admission A$15 (US$12/UK£6) adults, A$8 (US$6.40/UK£3.20) children 5 to 15, A$40 (US$32/UK£16) family of six. Daily 10am to 11pm.
