Melbourne

Melbourne is the capital and largest city of the state of Victoria, and the second largest city in Australia (after Sydney), with a population of 3.8 million in the Melbourne metropolitan area (June 2004) and 69,670 in the City of Melbourne (which covers only the central city area). The city's name is pronounced as either {{IPA|/?mel.b?n/}} or {{IPA|/?mæl.b?n/}}. The city's motto is "Vires acquirit eundo" which means "we gather strength as we go". Melbourne was the capital city of Australia from 1901 until 1927.

Transport

Melbourne is served with a robust public transportation network. It has one of the world's most extensive tram networks, almost 300 bus routes and a train system with more than 15 lines. Unlike many major cities in the world, Melbourne has an integrated public transport system. With Metcard, users can buy one ticket and are able to use it on bus, train and tram, or all three of them. Today, the city's public transport networks are run by private operators. The tram network is run by Yarra Trams, while the train network is run by Connex. The bus network is run by many dozens of bus companies under a franchise from the State Government. The system as a whole is currently being rebranded as 'Metlink'.

Related Topics:
Public transport - Tram networks - Bus - Train - Metcard - Tram - Yarra Trams - Connex - Franchise - Metlink

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Melbourne's International Airport located in the outer north-western suburb of Tullamarine is the nation's second busiest. Over 30 airlines and 22 million passengers are served and service there each year. A secondary airport is located at Avalon, to the south-west between Melbourne and Geelong. A cut-price airline, Qantas subsidiary Jetstar, has recently commenced using Avalon for its flights to Sydney and Brisbane. Melbourne's first major airport, Essendon Airport, is no longer used for scheduled international or domestic flights. Airbase RAAF Point Cook, where the Australian Air Force originated, is located near the city's southwestern limits. Moorabbin Airport is located to the south of Melbourne, and is primarily used for recreation flying and for flying lessons, conducted in Piper and Cessna aircraft. Moorabbin is also used for small airlines such as services to King Island. Moorabbin is a GAAP airport and its code is YMMB.

Related Topics:
International Airport - Suburb - Tullamarine - Avalon - Geelong - Essendon Airport - RAAF Point Cook - Australian Air Force - King Island

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A controversial current project is the building of the Mitcham to Frankston Freeway, or Eastlink as it is now officially known. At a cost of $2.5 billion the freeway is currently being built through some of the most heavily developed regions of Melbourne, thus justifying the exorbitant cost. At the heart of the controversy the freeway is set to become a tollway, despite election promises from both Steve Bracks, the current Victorian Premier, and opposition leader Robert Doyle that the freeway would be toll free.

Related Topics:
Mitcham - Frankston - Eastlink - Tollway - Steve Bracks - Robert Doyle

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The Port of Melbourne is Australia's largest container and general cargo port. Regular shipping lines operate to around 300 cities around the world and 3200 ships visit the port each year. The Port of Melbourne is located in the inner west of Melbourne, near the junction of the Maribyrnong and Yarra rivers.

Related Topics:
Port of Melbourne - Maribyrnong - Yarra

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Main articles

• Railways in Melbourne, List of Melbourne railway stations
• Trams in Melbourne, List of Melbourne tram routes
• Buses in Melbourne, List of Melbourne bus routes
• List of Melbourne highways
• List of Melbourne freeways