MELBOURNE – When people think of Australia, they often think of Sydney.
As an Australian who’s not from Sydney, that makes me mad.
I am a born and bred Melbournian — and happily so given how great Melbourne is.
First, let’s talk about sports. They don’t call Melbourne the Sporting Capital for no reason.
As a sports nut, I love the fact that there’s such a wide variety of sports to watch here.
Australian Rules, Cricket, Soccer, Rugby and Netball are just some of the sports fans get to enjoy regularly. Plus there are big, international events each year such as the Australian Tennis Open and the Australian Formula 1 Grand Prix.
If there was a modern-day equivalent of the Coliseum, it would have to be the mighty Melbourne Cricket Ground, more commonly known as the MCG, or colloquially as the G.
It can hold up to 100,000 people and is also the oldest stadium in the state, built around 1853. But after the refurbishing to increase capacity for the 2006 Commonwealth Games, it doesn’t look its age.
Some of the biggest annual sporting matches are held at the G, including the Australian Football League Grand Final and the Boxing Day Cricket Test.
But Melbourne has more than just sports.
It has, for instance, a thriving theater scene, with many gorgeous, old theaters that stage shows and musicals to keep families entertained.
One of them, the Princess Theatre, opened in 1854. It is not one of the premier theaters for the biggest hits.
Like many things about Melbourne, the theater scene is full of contrast. Alongside the grand halls are more modern spaces, such as the Arts Centre.
With many different theaters within the Arts Centre complex, it’s typically smaller and less well known productions that are performed here.
But sometimes it offers hit shows as well, with “Evita” and “Chicago” among the ones that have taken to its stages in recent years.
Melbourne also has many museums, among them the Melbourne Museum, the largest; the Immigration Museum; and Scienceworks.
I love it here. You should come visit. Melbourne is a great place to be.
Alyce Collett is a Correspondent with Youth Journalism International.