Melbourne named best city in Australia

Melbourne has overtaken Sydney in a study of the best places to go in Australia.

More people could be planning to take flights to Melbourne rather than Sydney soon after the city was named as the best place to go in Australia.

A survey of 1,000 people carried out by Australian Traveller found that Melbourne came top as the place to go for sporting events, shopping and visiting laneway bars and cafes.

Destination Melbourne chief executive Chris Buckingham said the people of Melbourne would be happy with the recognition after spending so long being considered as Australia’s second city behind Sydney.

“People like coming to Melbourne because we are a welcoming destination that celebrates cool and accepts difference,” Mr Buckingham explained.

The validation that comes from the millions of people who choose to visit the city each year was also important for the people of Melbourne, he added.

Some visitors who recently enjoyed time in the city after taking flights to Australia were Prince Frederick and Princess Mary of Denmark, who travelled to the country to strengthen international ties.

Written by Alex Cochrane