Wonderful Melbourne – Indian Link

Melbourne has an energy that you will feel just by being there. From an ever-changing skyline to great restaurants, a bustling bustling bar scene, street art and vibrant cultural districts, Melbourne is an exciting destination that’s easy to explore on foot or by tram. Here is a guide to what you can see and do there.

Grand architecture

Melbourne’s streets are lined with many imposing buildings built after the gold rush of the 1850s. luxury.

Opulent archways

Melbourne’s arcades are magnificent. The Royal Arcade dates from 1870, while the adjoining Block Arcade features a magnificent domed ceiling and decorative mosaic floor tiles. During your stay, visit the Tea Rooms which, since 1892, have been serving exquisite cakes and scones.

aisles

Melbourne’s lanes are spread throughout the city. From sleek to spray painted with graffiti, they are one of the city’s most distinctive tourist attractions. Hosier Lane, a cobbled lane, showcases street art. Lesser-known street art lanes include Platypus, Rainbow and Lang’s Lane, while Degraves Street and Hardware Lane are renowned for their bars, restaurants and cafes.

Culture

From the Melbourne Museum, the largest museum in the Southern Hemisphere, to the State Library and the Immigration Museum, to the shows at the Arts Center and theatres, Melbourne has a rich cultural heritage. The National Gallery of Victoria is beautiful and extensive, showcasing Australian and international art, while the Ian Potter Center in Federation Square features the finest collection of Indigenous Australian art.

Parks and gardens

Melbourne is surrounded by several splendid gardens, including Treasury, Carlton and Fitzroy Gardens. Along the Yarra River is Birrarung Marr Park, which means “river of mist” in the language of the region’s original inhabitants, the Wurundjeri people. Nearby, the Southbank waterfront promenade is lined with restaurants and bars.

Founded in 1846, the Royal Botanic Gardens is one of the finest botanic gardens in the world with plants from all over the world. Highlights are the lakes, ferns and majestic pines.

Queen Victoria Market

For more than 140 years, traders have offered a breathtaking range of fruits, vegetables and fresh produce, the best market in the world. Visit the Continental Deli for cheeses, small produce, cakes and bread.

Discover Melbourne’s neighborhoods

Take the time to explore Melbourne’s different neighborhoods by tram. Efficient and extensive, it is the largest tram network in the world.

Fitzroy and Carlton Fitzroy’s shopping district, bounded by Brunswick, Gertrude, Smith and Johnston streets, is where you’ll find retro and designer boutiques, bookstores, cool cafes, bars and art galleries. In neighboring Carlton, the Italian heritage is particularly evident along Lygon Street. Stop by Brunetti for coffee, pizza, ice cream and cakes.

South Yarra and Prahran A stroll through the Royal Botanic Gardens leads to the exclusive dining precinct on Domain Road and nearby bustling Chapel Street lined with restaurants and upmarket Australian fashion. Take the tram back to town after stopping at the Prahran markets.

st kilda Visit Acland Street for a coffee and a slice of rich European cake, before heading to the beach to swim and walk along St Kilda Pier. The best day to visit is Sunday for the outdoor craft market. If you’re driving, drive along the suburb of the bay to the brightly colored log cabins of Brighton Beach.

further beyond

Explore the stunning beauty Mornington Peninsula rolling hills and valleys, quaint seaside villages like Balnarring and Flinders, lush farmland, charming vineyards and a rugged ocean coastline with lapping waves. It is one of the most beautiful areas of Victoria and my home for ten years. To maximize your visit, take the Flinders Outback Scenic Route and consider staying overnight. Pass by surf beaches including Point Leo and Gunnamatta, visit farms for fresh fruit, especially strawberries, taste wine at cellar doors and dine at one of the many renowned restaurants such as Point Leo Estate with a beautiful sculpture garden.

The most enjoyable way to experience the beautiful forests and fern gullies of the Dandenong Ranges is to take a ride on the historic Puffing Billy steam train from Belgrave, an hour east of the city. There are also many quaint villages to explore, including Sassafras, Olinda and Tecoma, with cafes, art galleries and craft shops.

North of Melbourne, a great day can be spent exploring the Yarra Valley. Visit the Healesville Sanctuary where you can encounter Australian animals including koalas, kangaroos and emus in a bush setting.

The Yarra Valley region excels in premium cool climate wines with wineries and restaurants offering sourced and locally grown foods, farms and farmers markets. It is Victoria’s premier food and wine destination.

Visit Notes

• Fly to Melbourne with Virgin, Jetstar, Qantas or Rex, or from Sydney and Adelaide it’s a scenic drive or train journey aboard the Overlander or XPT.
• Plan your stay with the What’s New in Melbourne website.
• Getting around the city by tram is easy and free. For the near suburbs, buy a MYKI travel card, a reusable smart card. Exploration of outlying areas is best done by car. I would recommend spending a few days in Melbourne. The city is full of restaurants and shops, theaters and galleries. My choices for luxury hotels are the Sofitel or the Grand Hyatt, with a Ritz-Carlton and a Shangri-La nearing completion, mid-range the Hilton or Novotel on Collins, and for an affordable price, the ‘Ibis Budget on Elizabeth Street in a superior room.

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