A is also for ...

Architecture! Melbourne is relatively new, only being declared as a city by Queen Victoria in 1842.

Many of the buildings that form scenic parts of the city today were built in the early 1900's, like this gorgeous one, which used to be the post office building, but now is affectionately named the GPO and houses clothing giant H&M.

Flinders street station is one of the most recognisable buildings to tourists and was opened in its current form in 1910. Early on, the top floor comprised of a library, gym and lecture hall which was later turned into a ballroom! Around 200 000 people move through Flinders street station every day, so no wonder it forms part of a central hub along with Federation Square, the revamped city square, which houses the tourist centre and a giant outdoor screen where the public can gather to watch sports events or just chill and log onto the free wifi.

The city also has plenty of pretty shopping arcades which date back to the early days of Melbourne. The Royal Arcade, above, was built in 1869 and is the oldest shopping arcade in Australia. On either side of the clock stand Gog and Magog, two legendary giants of the Ancient Britons who have struck on the hour since 1892.

Surrounding all the reminders of the past are modern buildings with their own interesting shapes and designs. Some are curved, others colourful. Laneways have been updated with restaurants and cafes and are a hive of activity during lunch hour, when the thousands of workers in the city spill into the streets in search of some sustenance. In 2012, there were 178 320 cafe/ restaurant / bistro seats in Melbourne, so eating is obviously a serious business here!

The tallest building in this picture is the Eureka Tower, located on the Yarra River. It is the 13th tallest residential building in the world, and for a fee, you can stand at the top and get a stunning view of the whole city. Fun fact: 48% of Melbourne's residents were born overseas, so I guess I have a lot more in common with the people of Melbourne than I first imagined.

I'm getting to know Melbourne, and slowly falling in love with it. Hopefully I'm giving you, dear reader, enough of a taste to whet your appetite for your own visit. Come and play!