MyTravelGeno: Bourke Street Melbourne, Australia

Bourke Street is one of the main streets of Melbourne's Central Business District and a core feature of the Hoddle Grid. It was traditionally the entertainment hub of inner-city Melbourne and is now also a popular tourist destination and tram thoroughfare. Bourke Street is named for Sir Richard Bourke, the Governor of New South Wales in 1837 during the drafting of the Hoddle Grid.

Designed by A.E. Johnson, the Melbourne's GPO started as a post office and small sorting space in around 1864. In 1992, the Australia Post made a rather sensational announcement of its plans to end the building as its major postal hall. The building was dramatically refurbished and transformed into a contemporary fashion hub, now occupied by the Swedish retail giant H&M as its pioneer flagship store in Australia. Two full floors of stark white walls, floors and glass are perfect for displaying the full H&M range of fashion, homewares and cosmetics. Delicious eateries in GPO Lane are there for mid-shopping sustenance.

The Federal Coffee inhabits a big, beautiful space in the GPO and recalls a glided age where temperance hotels or coffee palaces, ruled Melbourne. More than 130 years, the Federal is still a grand place for a swish breakfast (Great French toast) or pop in snack (ace Portuguese tarts) with of course a Genovese coffee chaser.

The Royal Arcade in Bourke Street Mall through to Little Collins Street is one of Melbourne's most treasured shopping malls. It hark back to the genteel times of the Victorian era. Built in 1869 and renovated between 2002-2004, it houses some beautiful old shops. It is famous for Gog and Magog, the mystical creatures that guard the entrances at Little Collins Street.

Establish in 1838, David Jones is Australia's oldest department store, and the oldest in the world still trading under its original name.

The Melbourne Visitor Booth, located in the Bourke Street Mall between Swanston and Elizabeth streets, is a great place to find information on shopping, attractions, and events as well as free brochures and maps of the city.