Posted 28 May 2010

The Australian city of Melbourne could be an ideal destination for gap year travellers in search of sport and nightlife, it has been suggested.

"Marvellous Melbourne" has stepped out of Sydney’s shadow and recovered its lustre in recent times, the Daily Telegraph’s Mark Chipperfield reported.

The city is renowned for its sporting enthusiasm and plays host to a number of events, such as the Melbourne Cup, which is a horse race that "stops a nation", the traditional Boxing Day Test cricket match and the Australian Football League Grand Final.

However, the journalist observed there is more to the area than physical games and noted it has a thriving restaurant and bar scene, as well as being the nation’s frontrunner in terms of fashion, theatre and architecture.

Mr Chipperfield recently advised travellers to Sydney to make the most of the city’s many shopping districts and surfing activities, as well as to attempt a climb up Sydney Harbour Bridge.

Category: Australasia