Victoria (The Garden State)
Travel Information
ORIGIN OF NAME:
Named for Queen Victoria, then the reigning monarch. 

CAPITAL:
Melbourne 

FLORAL EMBLEM:
Common Heath 

FAUNAL EMBLEM:
Leadbeater's Possum 

STATE FLAG:
The five stars of the Southern Cross, surmounted by a crown (added in 1877). 

STATE MOTTO:
Peace and prosperity. 

LOCATION:
Victoria is a state in southeastern Australia. 

AREA:
Its area is 227,600 sq./km. 

LANDFORM:
Victoria is divided into four physical regions, running generally east and west. From north to south these are the plains of the Murray Basin, the Central Highlands-with a maximum elevation of 1,986 m (6,516 ft) at Mount Bogong-the Southern Plains, and the Southern Uplands. Forest covers most highland areas. The plains are largely grass, with scrubby eucalypti known as mallee in the northwest. 

POPULATION:
Although it occupies slightly less than 3% of the country's total area, it has a population of 4,468,300 (1993 est.), second only to that of New South Wales. Nearly 70% of the state's inhabitants live in the metropolitan area of Melbourne. 

CLIMATE:
Temperate, Victoria enjoys four distinct season. Winter with cold nights; Spring and Fall are delightful. Rain is evenly distributed throughout the year. Summer (Dec to Feb) average temperature is 56-77F. Winter (Jun to Aug) average temperature is 43-57F. 

MELBOURNE:
Simply stated, Melbourne is friendly elegance. It has an Old World charm, a sophisticated elegance, as you stroll through formal gardens, boat on the lazy Yarra River, wander down broad, tree-lined avenues, admire stately buildings, or shop in fine boutiques. 

And yet, there's a wonderfully friendly, "pinch your cheeks" kind of welcome found in the charming sidewalk cafes, the delightful trams, and the streets and markets of distinctive ethnic neighbourhoods. It's especially in the boisterous crowds at an Aussie Rules Football match. Melbourne is a reflection of them all - a financial centre, a haven for theatre and fine arts, a culinary mecca, a multi-cultural gathering place, and a crazed sports capital. Altogether, the city's nineteenth century nickname seems highly appropriate, Marvelous Melbourne. 

FOOD AND DRINK
Great dining-out spots include St Kilda, South Yarra, and Lygon Street in Carlton (for the best Italian cuisine); Brunswick Street, Fitzroy, for its offbeat cafe culture; and Southgate where you can dine overlooking the Yarra River. Melbourne's Chinatown in Little Bourke Street offers a superb range of Chinese cuisine. Melbourne has a lively nightclub scene and is noted for live music and comedy clubs such as the Last Laugh. The Crown Casino is Melbourne's entertainment and gambling mecca. 

SHOPPING:
Shopping is a passion in Melbourne. Key shopping precincts include upmarket Chapel Street and Toorak Road in South Yarra. Bridge Road, Richmond is the place for bargains at "seconds" and factory outlets. In the city try Melbourne Central, Australia on Collins and Southgate for something.

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