Most stores are open seven days; many stay open late on Fridays to 9pm. As a general rule trading hours for the City shops are; Saturday to Wednesday: 10:00 am to 05:00 pm. Thursday: 10:00 am to 07:00 pm. Friday: 10:00 am to 09.00 pm.

Whether you are working with a student budget or in search of the latest in any designer line, all are catered for. From Armani to Dior to Banana Republic all the way through to Zegna, name it, you will find in Melbourne. Not to name the biggest range of specialty shops found in the middle of the city. Any kind of shopping you may be seeking to do, you will be able to accomplish that in Melbourne. Even for groceries, you are lost for choice. The biggest food mall of all is at the Queen Victoria Market where the freshest fish is still swimming in the sea. It doesn’t get better than this. Does it?

Here are some of the major shopping venues in Melbourne

QUEEN VICTORIA MARKETS

This is the largest open-air market in the southern hemisphere. This historic landmark was officially opened in 1878. It has over 1,000 stalls selling just about everything. The market buildings sell meat products and everything else is sold in the open from vegetables, fruits, clothing, shoes, baggage, toys, pets, jewelry, and souvenirs all at bargain prices. Operates Tuesdays and Thursdays from 06:00 am to 02:00 pm, Fridays from 06:00 am to 06:00 pm, Saturday from 06:00 am to 03:00 pm and Sunday from 09:00 am to 04:00 pm. It is located 513 Elizabeth Street, Corner of Elizabeth Street and Victoria Street, Melbourne.

FEDERATION SQUARE

This is the meeting place for Victoria’s finest; fine art, fine hospitality, fine flora, fine design, great events. It is a unifying landmark for the different cultures. Its very well marries the exquisite gardens, innovative architecture and engineering. Neighboring it is the Ian Potter Centre incorporating the National Gallery of Victoria, ACMI, the Australian Thoroughbred Racing Museum, SBS, Melbourne Visitor Centre, cafes and restaurants.

SUNDAY’S MARKET at the ARTS CENTRE

This market parades over 150 stalls of Victoria’s finest artisan’s work. The sellers are selected after passing strident examination for the quality and diversity of their work. It is situated at the Corner St Kilda and Southgate Roads, Southbank. This is where artists of every genre from painters to sculptors to visual artists to musicians to thespians all converge.

CROWN CASINO & CROWN ENTERTAINMENT COMPLEX

This is a genuine ‘Las Vegas’ in the gambling sense. It is one of the largest gaming facilities in Southern Hemisphere. It parades 350 gaming tables and 2,500 slot machines. There are also restaurants, up-market boutiques, nightclubs, two hotel towers, a cinema complex, and floorshows. Open 24 hours except Christmas Day, Good Friday and Anzac Day when it is closed from 04:00 am to noon.

ROYAL ARCADE

This is the oldest shopping mall in the city. It was built in 1869. Though it has been altered a few times it still retains a graceful elegance and authenticity lacking in many modern malls. Inside there are great features such as the statues of Gog and Magog, the mythical monsters that toll the hour on either side of Gaunt’s Clock.

THE BLOCK ARCADE

This is Melbourne’s main shopping arcade. It was built in 1891. Has huge ceiling murals and intricate mosaic floors. The Block is famous for its arcades. It is built based on models in Paris, London and Milan.

CHINATOWN

Here you will get Chinese medicine, music, restaurants, gold and jewelry, unique and exotic gifts, cinema, events and festivals, the museum and karaoke.

BOURKE STREET MALL

Melbourne’s main department stores are located here along with street performers and buskers performing throughout the mall area.

DOCKLANDS

This is a new shopping mall with a great variety to choose from as well.

SOUTHGATE PLAZA

These are three level shops, cafes bars and restaurants that may be reached from the CBD by an arched footbridge located behind the Flinders Street Station.

SOUTHGATE LEISURE PRECINCT

Whether you are an overseas visitor, a city worker or day-trippers, this is a place where you will find everything you need. It’s a major spot for scenic walking being especially vibrant with throngs of people including many street theatre performers.

Australian Formula 1 Grand Prix.

This is one event that is major not only in Melbourne but in Australia’s sporting events of the year. The thrill and excitement that comes with the Melbourne Grand Prix Formula 1 is unmissable.

This event takes place at ‘The Albert Park’ racing circuit. This is a five day event which begins with the main race followed by four days of different events such as kart-racing, and plenty of off-track entertainment too. From a 2009 Grand Prix Ball, to concerts, carnivals and the adrenaline pumping and heart-stopping racetrack of Albert Park, the 2009 Grand Prix is a sporting event not to miss.

Melbourne International Comedy Festival

This is one of the biggest and funniest festivals in the whole wide world. It has different activities carried out from stand-up shows to cabaret to street entertainers.  Film and music too are part of it. It’s a festival that conglomerates the very best comedians and funny acts from Melbourne and the rest of the world. This is one hell of a festival which is synonymous with a good laugh.

Chinese New Year Festival

The Chinese New Year Festival (The Year of the Ox) usually celebrated in January. There are over 10,000 Chinese residents living in Melbourne and this is a big celebration for them and it keeps becoming bigger each year as the Chinese population in Melbourne increases.

You can join the celebration and get to experience the Chinese culture, arts, heritage and festivities. The delicious Chinese food, their music, dance and martial arts don this festival making it one festival that you should not miss out on.

Melbourne’s Big Day Out

Year in year out Melbourne people come together to enjoy the very best of music. They get to appreciate their own musicians and enjoy the music. Some of the musicians that are lined up to participate in this years event are Neil Young, The Arctic Monkeys, The Living End, The Prodigy, Sneaky Sound System, My Morning Jacket, Pendulum Bullet for my Valentine, TV on the Radio, Simian Mobile Disco among others.

The Australian Open Tennis Championships

This is an event that started back in 1905. It was initially known as the ‘Australian Championships’. It’s one of the major sporting events in the Australian Calendar.

Melbourne Park is the venue for the championships. Live performances by music bands, carnivals, as well as shows don this event.

The Australian Open Tennis Championship is also hosted in six different venues across Australia namely Sydney, Brisbane, Adelaide, Perth, Melbourne and in New Zealand.

Saint Jerome’s Laneway Festival

This is a rock festival which visits the Australian Cities such a Sydney, Adelaide, Brisbane, and Melbourne every year. Saint Jerome’s Laneway Festival is a rock festival that continues to grow each year and attracts music and cultural lovers from all over, flocking to the many laneway venues. The festival is held in the laneways that lead to the city of Melbourne.

This is a festival you don’t want to miss out on if you happen to be in Melbourne. You get to experience the talent of the top bands in Melbourne.

Melbourne’s weather is great most of the time and lends itself for outdoor activities, picnics and bike rides – but there are also rainy day things to do that are affordable and fun.

A Bike Ride

In Melbourne you can get virtually anywhere by bike.  Along the Yarra and the Merri Creek is a great place for children to ride. Along the eastern bay children can also get to ride as far as they can make it. The best thing about riding in Melbourne is that you can take bikes on trains so you can ride one way and return by train if you are too exhausted.

The Children’s Garden
The Royal botanical garden has a section for children. It is a great place for them to learn about plants, get to do things more practically like dig and create little gardens. There are labyrinths to hide in as they play their games. There also marvelous landscapes to explore. Get the children ready for this experience let them be in comfortable clothes and let them experience the botanical garden in a more personal way.

The Beach
Along the eastern side of Melbourne there are many beaches. There are no dangerous tides because it’s mainly a bay (Port Phillip Bay). This makes it safe for children to swim and indulge in a variety of water sports with other children on the beach or even with you.

Scienceworks Museum
This is located in Spotswood. Children really enjoy the many hands-on experiences and explorations they go through as they play about lights, mechanics and the solar system. This is a paid for though but it is good value for your money as the children get to learn as much as they are enjoying their holiday.

Community Environment Park
Ceres is a community environment project that is located on the Merri Creek in Brunswick which is a great hang out place. There are a wind pump, generators, chucks, an adventure playground, ponds and a garden. There is also a café that the children can grab a bite while in Ceres. It is a great place for a family visit in a modern natural environment where you can go to relax.

Melbourne is a great city and a great holiday destination not just for you but for your entire family including the kids. Let them get to experience Melbourne, share in the culture and the great attraction sites in Melbourne. From the museums, the green parks, the marvelous beaches, to the spectacular architectural monuments and above all get to learn about Melbourne and have something to share with their friends and schoolmates when they get back home.

Here is a break down of what to see where in the heart of the state of Victoria.

City Centre

Before you even think of what to do in Melbourne, going round and experiencing the city’s central business district and the historical core is a must. This is where you find lots of places to shop, dine, and sites to see as well. There are several landmarks as well, for example the Federation Square.

Albert Park

This is a district mainly characterized by wide streets, parks and outdoor cafes. On a warm day this is definitely the place to be. It is home to the city’s F1 Grand Prix circuit.

Brunswick

This is the district for the party animal. There is a more vibrant night life in this district, and if you intend to be hitting the clubs every night this is the district to stay. It will save you a lot of cab fare from your hotel to the joints in this place. It is located in the inner north of Melbourne.

Carlton

This is a rather quiet district with few tourists. Its main residents are Italians. The University of Melbourne is also situated in this district.

Collingwood

This is the district for the shopper traveler. There are thrift stores, and markets here. This district is also categorized as a working class district.

Fitzroy

This is the Bohemian quarter and features many trendy boutiques and restaurants. It is one district that is a great tourist area.

Prahran

Prahran is another great district for the shopaholic. It is cut out for the more elegant and upscale tourist who has a little more money to spend on his/her tour to Melbourne.

Richmond

Richmond is a large district divided in to two parts. North Richmond and South Richmond. The north is home to the city’s Vietnamese population while the southern area, called Bridge Road, is filled with inexpensive fashion outlets, a favorite amongst locals and visitors alike.

South Melbourne

Home to the South Melbourne Market, where shoppers can find a great variety of items, from food, clothing to shoes and accessories. This is the district for the authentic Melbourne traveler. This district is also home to Clarendon Street, which is famous with tourists who visit Melbourne.

South Yarra

This is a district with a very sophisticated air. Its filled with the upscale tourists who can afford the finer things in life.  It is located by the river that runs through the city.

St. Kilda

This is a district that is home to a popular art market usually held on Sunday and is quite popular. It has a relaxed aura attributed to the many hostels and cafes found in this district.

Williamstown

This is a district that is quiet, old fashioned and relaxed. It is a suburb that is popular for its great and relaxing cafes.

Yarraville

This is also a very quiet district rich with preserved Victorian architecture. This is where you will find artists in great numbers as they flock to sell their work.