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Armed with his 1913 Bradshaw’s Guide, Michael Portillo crosses the south east of Australia, from the seat of government in Canberra to the multi-ethnic heart of its second largest city, Melbourne, in the state of Victoria.

Floating above Canberra in a hot air balloon, Michael sees how Australia’s 'Bush Capital' was planned in the early 20th century and tours the nation’s parliament. He takes the high speed train nearly 300 miles south west, to arrive in Melbourne at the head of Port Philip Bay on Australia’s south eastern coast. It is said that the city has more restaurants and cafes per head than anywhere else in the world, and it boasts a fine 140-year-old market. 5 million people live in the city today, and they come from all over the world. Michael traces the history of immigration to Australia.

At the hallowed Melbourne Cricket Ground in the Melbourne suburb of Jolimont, Michael discovers the story behind the Ashes and hears how cricket unified the nation, before bravely cheering for England in the last Twenty20 game of the season.