Melbourne's economic and political centre is located within the municipal boundaries of the City of Melbourne, an area of 36.5 sq kilometres which encompasses the Central Business District, some of Melbourne's most historic suburbs, the Southbank precinct - site of new residential development and a casino - as well as most of Melbourne's famous sporting venues and its world famous parks and gardens.

	Victoria is the smallest mainland state in Australia but its geography is diverse - alpine areas covered in snow during winter are within hours of desert plains, pristine beaches, windswept coastlines and rugged rock formations.
	Black Spur, Yarra Valley, east of Melbourne
	Cook's cottage, located in Melbourne's Fitzroy Gardens, was brought from Yorkshire, England, and erected here in 1934. It serves as a tribute to Captain James Cook, who was the first acknowledged European explorer of the Australian eastern coast in 1770
	Flinders Street station, Melbourne's major terminus railway station.