The new millenium is finally here, not with a bang, or even a whimper. After the mad rush of the ill-informed to celebrate the start of the 2000th year the century ticked over with barely a whisper. The world didn't end, didn't even slow down.

In Australia, this year marks the centenary of Federation. Although there have been some attempts to excite the populace, the unacceptable model for a republic presented to the voters means that we are not celebrating with a declaration of full independence. In Melbourne, the Federation Arch is just another Kennett blot on the landscape, looking most of all like an accident with super glue and a game of pick-up-sticks.

One of the joys of Melbourne is the fact that we have kept intact some of the finest examples of buildings and gardens. Although many people know that the National Trust lists houses, fewer know about the listed gardens. The Open Gardens scheme schedules public access to listed gardens, with entrance fees often going to charities or garden upkeep. The gardens range from cottage through to large-scale formal parks.
For a good introduction to Melbourne's Art Deco buildings, the Art Deco Walk is hard to beat.

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Did you know that Melbourne, Australia is a hotbed of genre fiction writers? And with the recent World Science Fiction convention held here, we have been adding to our collection of people who have answered the usual questions.
We are also building book pages, selected bibliographies with recommended reading orders and places to go online to buy books and get more information. If your favourite author isn't listed, we could be building it right now, or maybe you have the information ...

Pictorial guide to Melbourne, Victoria Australia with clickable maps of Victoria. This is a growing list of places to go in Melbourne and Victoria, for tourists and locals alike. Schools: why not contribute an entry on a local historic site, or park or garden?

Festivale includes Melbourne attractions and entertainment, book reviews, film reviews, software reviews, maps, tourist destinations, historic sites, clickable maps, of Melbourne, Victoria, Australia and Australian release dates for movies.