Victoria
Australia's sports state is its second most populated, after New South Wales. Victoria is a southeastern Australian state that is known as a cultural and sports hub, a commercial center and an industrial state. It is the smallest of all of the country's mainland states but it is at the same time the most urbanized and densely populated.
The industrial nature of Victoria has come naturally. In the 1830s, the state was mainly a farming community. In 1851, Victoria faced its destiny to be more than just an ordinary farming center. The discovery of gold as an important and precious metal paved the way for Victoria's transformation into a top commercial and industrial center. It was the generated steady flow of income that made Victoria open up and embrace further developments.
The economy is Victoria is Australia second biggest in terms of states. Property services, insurance and finance are the state's largest revenue producing sectors. Personal, social and community services are on the other hand its biggest employers. Manufacturing in Victoria is still very active and is a great contributor to the national economy. Mining is still very active, as well as automotive assemblies. In fact, some of the Australia's most important and popular mining facilities and car manufacturing plants are registered in Victoria.
Tourism is still an important industry. In fact, Victoria is very much actively developing and maintaining its beauty and attractions to be able to lure and welcome more tourists, who come and infuse more liquidity into the state economy. Among the most popular sites and centers in Victoria are the natural attractions, like the Grampians, the Twelve Apostles, Fair Penguins, Buchan Caves, Wilson's Promontory and Gippsland Lakes. The Victoria metropolis is flocked for the Crown Casino, the Melbourne Aquarium and the Melbourne Zoo.
Physical activities are comfortably an interestingly highlighted in several Victorian centers. The 'high country' or the central Victorian highlands facilitate bushwalking and winter sports. Other popular leisure and outdoor activities are hot air ballooning, scuba diving, hang-gliding and gliding. Local festivities are must-see events like the Queenscliff Music Festival, the Bright Autumn Festival, the Port Fairy Folk Festival and the Bells Beach SurfClassic.
The state's capital city, Melbourne is a tourist drawer in itself. In fact, Melbourne is visited by an average estimate of about 7.6 million local tourists and 1.88 million offshore visitors. In fact, as of 2008, Melbourne has already outpaced all other Australian cities in terms of tourist volumes and has grabbed the top spot as the most frequently visited city from Sydney.
There are just too many reasons why you should spend your vacation in Victoria. There are also good enough reasons why the state is one of the most active, attractive and commercialized centers in Australia. For one, Victoria is surely tourist-friendly and accommodating.
Regions of interest in Victoria include: Melbourne, Yarra River, Port Phillip Bay, Westernport Bay, Geelong, Portland, Victorian Alps, Bass Strait, Ballarat, Bendigo, Shepparton, Mildura, Warrnambool, Latrobe Valley, Gippsland, St Kilda, Phillip Island, Dandenong Ranges, Murray River, Yarra Valley, Bells Beach.
Arts and places of interest in Victoria include: Crown Casino, Melbourne Zoo, Melbourne Museum, Melbourne Aquarium, Melbourne Docklands, Southbank, The Twelve Apostles, Puffing Billy Railway, Wilson's Promontory, The Grampians, the Fairy Penguins.
Victoria sporting teams and sports include: Victorian Bushrangers (Cricket), Melbourne Victory (A-League), Melbourne Spring Racing Carnival, Melbourne Storm (NRL), Melbourne Rebels (Rugby).
