Melbourne is a city of 4,000,000 people in the south-east of Australia. It is often voted the world's most liveable city. The conference will be held at the start of summer, when the weather is usually warm and sunny.

Things to do in Melbourne

• Central Melbourne has many lovely gardens to enjoy, including the Royal Botanic Gardens and Fitzroy Gardens.
• St Kilda has beaches and many restaurants, particularly around Acland St. From the city, take the 96 tram to stop #136. Tram 16 also goes there (and is the better option). Alternatively, take tram 3/3a to St Kilda junction and walk down Fitzroy St.
• Penguins at St Kilda: At sunset, clusters of little penguins come ashore on the St. Kilda breakwater and waddle up to their nests in the rocks around 8.30pm every evening.
• National Gallery of Victoria.
• Fairfield Boathouse: enjoy lunch and a paddle on the Yarra River.
• Escape Room Melbourne: You have 70 minutes to unravel the mystery of a hidden room, working as a team to solve quirky and inventive puzzles to escape.
• Food Tours: Queenies or Food experiences
• Kite boarding, Wind surfing, and Paddle boarding lessons
• Queen Victoria Market: an iconic Melbourne market (the deli and meat and fish halls are best)
• Go sailing on the Enterprize, an historic tall ship.
• A highlight of the world's cricket calendar: Australia vs England in the Boxing Day Test, Melbourne Cricket Ground, December 26-30, 2017.

For more information:

• City of Melbourne
• The Urban List Melbourne
• Play Melbourne

Things to do outside Melbourne

• Healesville sanctuary: Healesville sanctuary has many iconic Australian animals to see and interact with, including koalas, platypus, reptiles and birds. It is a 1 hour drive north east from Clayton campus. This the venue for one of the conference excursions.
• Upper Yarra Valley: The Upper Yarra Valley is a lush region with many vineyards.
• The Great Ocean Road is one of the world's most scenic coastal drives, winding past excellent surfing beaches. Can be done in a day, but best as an overnight trip.
• The Mornington Peninsula is a beautiful area south-east of Melbourne with vineyards, beaches, and seaside towns.
• Penguin Parade: Phillip Island is home to a large fairy penguin colony. The penguins can be viewed returning home at sunset every day (for a fee).

Weather

7-day weather forcast