Victoria Alarna Parascos

1. Victoria Alarna Parascos

2. Sources of Information • Visiting local travel agents and gathering there information • Using Victorias state tourism website, which is seen below • www.visitvictoria.com/ • Also using the Australian Tourism website, which can be seen below • http://www.tourism.australia.com/

3. Some features of Victoria include: • Zoo’s, shopping, aquariums - This includes the famous Melbourne Zoo where free guided tours and other specialised services are provided. The Melbourne aquarium has tours available, also shark dives. Different presentations are also put on for example fresh water turtle feed, tropical fish feed or a penguins world. Visit melbournes CBD for shopping from the international fashion labels to laneway shops and arcades. • Rivers and lakes- the Yarra River is featured in the heart of Melbourne that runs from Port Phillip Bay. Also the Murray River which is Australia’s longest river which separates Victoria from New South Wales. Lakes Entrance is a popular Gippsland holiday spot. Enjoy fishing, boating, water skiing and other water activities.

4. National Parks- Otway National Park is a rainforest that can either be strolled through, on horseback or by bicycle. Giant mountain ash gums, enchanting fern gullies and thick stands of myrtle beech will delight you. • Museums, markets, art centres- The Melbourne Museum provides seminars, exhibitions, and historical and cultural artefacts. The Queen Victoria Markets are a highlight for tourist as local competitors have the chance to show off their fresh produce. • Festivals, nightlife, Fashion Capital of Australia- Melbourne food and Wine Festivals, Crown Casino, Melbourne Fashion Week takes place every year for designers to show off their collections. • www.melbourne.vic.gov.au • http://www.atn.com.au/vic/west/parks-d.htm • http://www.qvm.com.au/qvm/qvm_home.aspx

5. Map of Victoria

6. Some of the Man Made Tourist Attractions in Victoria: • Gold Museum- Discover the beauty and power of gold as you view an impressive and valuable collection of gold nuggets, priceless gold artefacts and gold coins. • Puffing Billy – Dandenong- All aboard for a ride through thick forests and lush fern-filled gullies on Puffing Billy, Australia's oldest surviving steam railway.

7. Major Natural tourist attractions: • The 12 Apostles- Warrnambool- There's boardwalks, tracks, and viewing areas to ensure you get spectacular views of the Twelve Apostles, best viewing at sunrise and sun down. • Great Ocean Road- Geelong –travel one of the world’s most scenic roads which includes viewing the 12 Apostles.

8. Sovereign Hill- Ballarat - presenting the story of Australia’s fabulous goldrush history in Ballarat. • Echuca-The mighty Murray River forms the border between New South Wales and Victoria before heading south to the ocean. Unwind and enjoy the region's renowned slow food, wine, golf courses and temperate climate. Hire a houseboat and explore sandy beaches, bushland and red gum forests

9. Major Gateways for transport networks within your state: • V-line services provide trains and buses within the state. • More than 1400 train services run between Melbourne, Geelong (including South Geelong and Marshall) and Warrnambool, Bacchus Marsh (including Melton), Ballarat, Ararat and Maryborough, Sunbury, Kyneton and Bendigo, Swan Hill and Echuca, Seymour, Albury / Wodonga and Shepparton, Traralgon, Sale and Bairnsdale. • Melbourne's tram network, operated by Yarra Trams, is one of the largest tram networks in the world. They run from 5am - midnight, Monday to Thursday, with extended hours to around 1am on Friday and Saturday nights. These trams operate in the CBD of Melbourne.

10. History of Victoria • Victorias cultural identity has a great connection with Aboriginal people who have occupied the land for thousands of years. • Over 30 000 immigrants came to Victoria during the time of the Gold Rush from countries such as Britain, Europe, America and China. • Immigrants from China made up 20 percent of the population of Victoria during the Gold rush around 1788. • Explorers Hume and Hovell were the first Europeans to discover the region in 1824. Gold miners were next to arrive, seeking their fortunes. Bushrangers then followed as well as cattlemen to set up home and establish their herds to the alpine grasses. • http://www.about-australia.com/facts/victoria/history/

11. Victoria’s Public Holidays • New Year's Day- Monday 3 January*in addition to Saturday 1 January • Australia Day- Wednesday 26 January • Labour Day- Monday 14 March • Good Friday- Friday 22 April • The Saturday before Easter Sunday- Saturday 23 April • Easter Monday- Monday 25 April • ANZAC Day- Tuesday 26 April*substitute for Monday 25 April • Queen's Birthday- Monday 13 June • Melbourne Cup Day- Tuesday 1 November • Christmas Day- Tuesday 27 December*substitute for Sunday 25 December • Boxing Day- Monday 26 December

12. Customs and Events • Victoria put on a diverse range of events. • The Melbourne Food and Wine Festivalis one event that takes you into restaurants down laneways, into city squares bursting to life with edible gardens, and out into Victoria’s wineries and regional restaurants. It is put on every year around March. • Melbourne Cup- Held at Flemington Race Course on November each year. • Some other events are: • FORMULA 1™ Qantas Australian Grand Prix • Melbourne International Arts Festival • Wangaratta Festival of Jazz http://www.visitmelbourne.com/displayobject.cfm/objectid.66323C6A-5424-40C0-A5F3A4D48018CB8E/

13. Victoria’s Economy • The state of Victoria is the second largest economy in Australia after New South Wales • The building trade is on a high. Higher then NSW • More first home buyers then any other state in Australia. • http://www.legislation.vic.gov.au/domino/Web_Notes/newmedia.nsf/bc348d5912436a9cca256cfc0082d800/90776b3def812284ca257076000735ad!OpenDocument

14. Victoria, Australia