Getting there BA and Qantas are the busiest airlines from Britain, but the major Asian and European carriers also offer daily services with transit stops spread from Dubai to Tokyo and Bangkok. Try to save a few hours by flying direct to Melbourne rather than connecting through Sydney. The airport at Tullamarine is 25kms from the Central Business District (CBD), with a taxi costing about Aus$45 (£18.80) and regular buses Aus$16 (£2.70). There are no trams or trains from the airport.

Business climate Sydney is bigger, but Melbourne is the traditional home of business and manufacturing and the head office base for many national and foreign firms. After 16 years of growth, public finances are strong and there is less fear than in the UK about the slowdown.

Don't miss The sporting capital of Australia has a remarkable range of venues within walking distance of the CBD and to understand the natives you must sample Australian Rules football. Two large urban renewal projects, Southbank and the Docklands, have added whole new quarters to the city, but St Kilda is the spot for beachside drinking and dining. If you have a day or two free, the Great Ocean Road is a spectacular drive and the Yarra Valley is dotted with wineries.

Etiquette The relaxed standards of Australian social life extend
to the business world, where formality does not go down well. Boozy lunches are rare nowadays but expect to break bread with business contacts and perhaps take in a game of "footy". European-style tipping is not compulsory, just round up the bill if you are happy with the service.

Culture Melbourne has dozens of museums, theatres and galleries in the heart of the city, including several at Federation Square, the landmark new meeting place next to Flinders Street railway station (left). Across the Yarra is the Arts Centre for lovers of opera, ballet and orchestral music. The International Comedy Festival (from April 1-26 next year) suits the irreverence of locals.

Where to stay One of the world's biggest and busiest tram networks and a grid-style city layout means that almost any hotel within a few kilometres of the CBD is convenient. Five-star hotels stretch from the 125-year-old Hotel Windsor (above) at the top of Bourke Street to the Rialto at the foot of Collins Street. A boutique option, Hotel Lindrum, is named after Walter Lindrum, the Donald Bradman of billiards.

Eat like a local Melbourne has long enjoyed a wealth of first-rate restaurants, but in recent years dozens of small wine bars and cafés have sprung up in inner-city lanes. Chinatown is central and the Lygon Street strip of Italian restaurants is a few blocks away.