MELBOURNE - AUSTRALIA
PORT INFORMATION
Everything You Need to Know about Melbourne, Australia as a Port of Call
by Roger AllnuttP&O Cruises view of Melbourne
The port of Melbourne is situated at the top end of Port Phillip Bay about an hour’s sailing time from the narrow entrance to the large bay through heads with the Bellarine Peninsula on the western side and the Mornington Peninsula on the eastern side. Trendy bayside suburbs line the eastern foreshore before the skyline of the city centre becomes dominant.
Cruise Terminals in Melbourne
Cruise ships, navy ships and tall ships all use Station Pier, at Port Melbourne about 5km from the Melbourne CBD.
The pier is also the mainland terminal for the Spirit of Tasmania, which provides a daily passenger, vehicle and freight service to and from Devonport, Tasmania.
Cruise Lines using Melbourne
Cruise lines that use Melbourne include P&O Australia Cruises, Holland America Line, Royal Caribbean, Celebrity Cruises, Princess Cruises, Silver Seas and Classic Cruises. A number of other lines such as Fred Olsen and Cunard also visit from time to time.
Must See Attractions in Melbourne
Victorian Arts Centre, Southbank
The centre of Melbourne along the Yarra River and Flinders Street Bridge has undergone massive redevelopment in recent years. The Victorian Arts Centre provides facilities for opera, ballet and music performances and is adjacent to the National Gallery of Victoria. Federation Square is a popular meeting place and includes a number of museums while along the banks of the Yarra at Southgate are trendy shops and restaurants leading to Crown Casino.
King’s Domain Gardens
This verdant space along the southern side of the Yarra River contains a number of gardens, walking and cycling paths, the Sydney Myer Music Bowl and Shrine of Remembrance. A favourite is the beautiful, spacious and relaxing Royal Botanic Gardens, sweeping lawns, shaded pools and a wide variety of Australian flora.
Docklands
An old rundown industrial area at the western end of the CBD has been transformed into a trendy area of apartments, restaurants, marinas and other attractions includxing a second large football stadium.
Melbourne Cricket Ground
Victorians are obsessed with sport and are blessed with some of the great sporting arenas in the world including the Melbourne Cricket Ground and Melbourne Park. Crowds of up to 100,000 regularly pack the MCG for football and cricket matches while Melbourne Park, home to the Australian Open tennis in January has two retractable roofs. A tour of the MCG complex is a must.
Treasury Gardens
A stroll around the eastern end of the CBD centred on the Treasury Gardens introduces the visitor to the State Parliament buildings, historic Hotel Windsor, St Patrick’s Cathedral and Cook’s Cottage.
Queen Victoria Market
Operating since the 1850s it is a major Melbourne tourist destination, offering a variety of fruit and vegetables, meat, poultry and seafood, gourmet and deli items as well as specialty delicacies. It also has a large non-food related market, selling a diverse range of clothing, shoes and jewellery and handmade art and crafts. Closed Monday and Wednesday.
