In terms of driving distances, Melbourne is maybe the major Australian city with the best location. Just in front of the big Island of Tasmania, Melbourne is situated at almost the same distance from Adelaide (731 km) or Canberra, and not far from Sydney (872 km).

Read also about all driving distances within Australia and all articles related to travel distances in Australia. Remember that in Australia driving distances are huge, no matter where you go. Continue reading »

Climate of Melbourne is temperate, with warm-hot summers. Seasons are clearly defined and highly visual, the many parks and gardens of autumn and spring giving rise to all of natures spectacular beauty and charms.

Weather in Melbourne is sometimes a little unpredictable. Melbourne is seldom unbearably cold or unbearably hot. Melbourne’s changes of seasons start late. Spring and autumn are balmy and mild. Winters are cool. Continue reading »

It takes about 5,000 km to cross Australia East to West or West to East, from Brisbane to Perth. Most roads are along the coast, because they try to avoid the desert. In Australia driving distances are huge, no matter where you go. Some roads might be monotonous and long driving distances lead to fatigue. Just make sure you plan enough breaks if you plan to drive such a big distance.

Most cities are also on the coast, in the South East. Perth - on the West coast - is one of the most isolated best cities of Australia. Continue reading »

In 2002, the independent UK organization Economist Intelligence Unit (EIU) found Australian and Canadian cities among the best for business expatriates. The city of Melbourne (Australia) shared the first place with the city of Vancouver (Canada). Perth (another Australian city) is on the third place.

The survey was part of a Worldwide Cost of Living service assessing the level of hardship for expatriates in 130 cities around the world. A so-called hardship criterion using multiple factors (convenience of the local infrastructures, the cultural life and how safe is environment, and the health and security systems) was used to determine which cities in the world are safer. Continue reading »

There is some kind of rivalry between people from Melbourne and Syndey, maybe because both cities experienced a huge economic boom and immigration these last couple of years.

Someone said Melbournians have no pride in their communities and neighborhoods. Because of the shocking amount of litter, graffiti, vandalism, and run down businesses. Some may be also surprised to see people going barefoot at the supermarket, in the mall and even at the airport. Continue reading »