Melbourne is set around the shores of Port Phillip Bay.  The city itself, laid out in a large rectangle and boasting a lively and cosmopolitan pulse, sits on the northern banks of the Yarra River, about five kilometres from the bay.

One glance at a map and it's obvious that Melbourne is a planned city: a tidy, balanced grid of neatly angled streets.  But beneath this lies a restless creative energy constantly pushing back at the city's seeming conservatism.  The CBD is made up of precincts ‏— distinct enclaves each with its own flavour and charm.  Some are just a lane or two, while others cover the banks of the Yarra River or a busy street.

Extending around the bay are a number of inner suburbs, each with its own unique character and personality.  A short tram ride from the city centre, Melbourne's suburban neighbourhoods are a must see for anyone wanting to experience what life here is really all about.