Take a virtual trip to Melbourne and beyond

Not content with waiting for Baz Luhrmann’s epic movie Australia to reach British cinemas on 26 December, the Australian state of Victoria has become a film-maker in its own right. Brits can discover the best of Melbourne and the Australian state of Victoria from the comfort of their own homes with Tourism Victoria’s new, dedicated Video Room.

Available at VisitMelbourne.com/uk-tv, the Video Room features 40 separate video clips focusing on different attractions and experiences in Melbourne and its surrounds, arts and sporting events, touring possibilities in Victoria and even profiles of well-known local personalities such as chefs, fashion designers and architects.

Unlike the online video offerings of many tourism bodies, which are often dominated by current TV advertising campaigns, the Tourism Victoria films are travelogue-style - aimed at conveying a true sense of the state for those considering a visit.

“Video is easily the most effective way of showcasing a destination, and with nearly 90 per cent of UK internet users now accessing the web via broadband this is a great opportunity to bring Melbourne and Victoria into people’s homes,” said Claire Golding, Tourism Victoria’s Regional Manager – UK & Europe.

“We sent a dedicated film crew from the UK to ensure that the experiences we captured reflect what British travellers want from a visit to Victoria. Most importantly, we did not simply post rehashed adverts because that’s a turn-off - web users go to tourism sites for information and ideas, not marketing.”

The Video Room is divided into six distinct sections:

Melbourne - focusing on the city, its lifestyle and tourism attractions, shopping, dining and nightlife. Explore Melbourne’s laneways, precincts and unique sporting and cultural identity.

Regions - highlighting the huge variety of experiences easily accessible from the city, such as driving the Great Ocean Road, the Yarra Valley wine region, the historic Goldfields, and surfing at world-renowned Bells Beach.

Great Outdoors - showcasing Victoria’s wildlife experiences … and how to throw a boomerang!

Events - Melbourne is renowned as Australia’s events capital - look out for your favourite comics on a video visit to the Melbourne International Comedy Festival.

Faces of Victoria - from Aboriginal elders to world-class chefs and cutting-edge fashion designers, these are some of the people shaping the Melbourne and Victoria experience today.

Getting Here & Around - discover how easy it is to explore Victoria at your own pace.

Films range from around 80 seconds to nearly 15 minutes in duration.

“Visitors to Melbourne tell us that unlike Sydney, the city is not about iconic tourist sights - it’s about a vibe,” said Ms Golding.

“Victoria is the fastest-growing Australian state in terms of UK visitor numbers, and we are confident that the new Video Room will attract even more interest among the travelling public.”