I've spent the last 2 days finding my way around my new home (for the next couple of weeks, at least), and there is certainly a lot to see and do.  The scenery is perhaps not as jaw-dropping as Sydney but the city has a certain refined charm I really enjoy.  Every day I travel downtown via this quaint little streetcar, which runs right outside my hostel.



This is the Royal Exhibition Building, where the first Australian parliament opened in 1901.  Melbourne was the national capital for 26 years.



This is Flinders Street Station, a major rail terminal in downtown Melbourne on the banks of the Yarra River.  The clocks on the facade of the building are emblematic of the rendevous point for Melburnians.



And here is a view of the Yarra from Princes Bridge, just behind the Station (you can see it on the right).