24 Hours in Australia's Capital of Cool

So you've arrived in Melbourne for your business event. You know you're in for a busy few days of networking, meetings and new seminar sessions. However, Melbourne is such a vibrant and intriguing city you'll be drawn to experience its seductive secrets.

Here is Melbourne Convention + Visitors Bureau's 'Insider's Guide' to 24 hours in Melbourne:

8:00

If Victoria is the Garden State, then Melbourne is the breakfast city. For upscale, try five star Park Hyatt Melbourne, or for a casual breakfast head to Brunswick Street, Melbourne's bohemian chic neighbourhood.

9:00

Get your start in Melbourne's art scene at The National Gallery of Victoria and Ian Potter Centre at Federation Square. For something slightly edgier, check out Citylights, a uniquely Melbourne collection of street art in light boxes dotted around the city - Degraves Street and Hosier Lane are two of the locations.

11:00

Melbourne's tallest building, Eureka Tower, has become the City's newest tourist attraction and features Skydeck 88, the highest public vantage point in the Southern Hemisphere. The Edge is the Tower's unique new hair raising visitor attraction and definitely worth a visit.

12:00

Lunch. Melbourne was named Australia's "culinary engine room" by Michelin Star awarded chef, Gordon Ramsay, when he visited the city in July 2006. It's no surprise, then, that Melbourne has recently acquired its very own branch of Nobu, located in Southbank's Crown Entertainment Complex on the Yarra River. Oyster on Little Burke is where to head for the freshest, tastiest seafood. Alternatively, take a walk through the labyrinth of Melbourne's laneways to sample the best cuisines from around the globe.

13:00

Work off lunch with a spot of calorie-busting shopping. Hit Melbourne's historic arcades for the best selection of young Melbourne designers, quirky original fashion, antique jewellery and divine Australian-made chocolate from Haighs. For serious retail therapy, Chadstone Shopping Centre, just 30 minutes from the city centre, has it all under one roof.

15:00

Take the number 16 tram to Melbourne's urban beachside suburb of St Kilda. Its location on Port Phillip Bay, complete with sandy beach and palm studded boulevards, makes it difficult to believe that you're only a 20 minute tram ride from the city centre.

17:00

Check out Melbourne's swish new Docklands precinct on Victoria Harbour with a shiny new clutch of waterside bars, cafés and restaurants - including the reliably fabulous seafood restaurant, Livebait, and the middle-eastern themed, Alumbra.

19:00

Time to discover some of Melbourne's much talked about late night venues. Try über cool Comme on Alfred Place, Wine House Brasserie on Southbank or cocktails at Langham Hotel Melbourne.