48 hours in Melbourne and how to spend them all

Planning a sneaky weekend in Melbourne? Home to world-class restaurants, independent retailers and some of Australia’s trendiest suburbs, there’s plenty to occupy your time. But if you only have 48 hours to spend in this wonderful city, here’s how to make the most of it.

Streets

Gertrude Street, Fitzroy

There’s no better place to start your day than Rue Gertrude. Located a short walk from Carlton Gardens and the Melbourne Museum, the charming strip is home to a mecca for Australian fashion boutiques such as Arnsdorf and Shell as well as many restaurants. For coffee and cake, check out morning market. For a Latin-inspired lunch, try Sonido. And for European-inspired cocktails and plates to share, visit Poodle. This charming strip is also home to shops such as:

The Esplanade, St Kilda

It goes without saying that St Kilda is a must visit in Melbourne. Although its main shopping and dining street, Acland Street, often gets all the credit, the iconic Esplanade stands out as St Kilda’s best street. For one, it offers picturesque views of the harbor and Luna Park. It also houses the recently renovated Hotel Esplanade, the perfect place to have a drink and soak up the scenery. If you are visiting on a Sunday you can also visit the St. Weekly designer market.

Little Bourke Street, CBD

With Melbourne’s Chinatown at one end and the Hardware Lane food court at the other, Little Bourke Street is always bustling – and for good reason. Beyond the food (which is plentiful), the street is a hot spot for shopping. Melbourne’s flagship stores Myer and David Jones are always worth a visit, but if you’re looking for more variety, check it out Mallthe city’s first high-end mall.

Eat

Melbourne South Market

There are many great markets in Melbourne, but few compare to this one. Jamón sandwiches at The power plant Spanish charcuterie with pandan croissants Agathe Pastry farm-to-table veggie burgers Markthere is something for all tastes and all budgets.

Probe Where Aru

Led by chef Khanh Nguyen, Sunda (and his younger and more gamer brother Aru) have set the benchmark for dining in Melbourne. Both serve a thoughtful selection of modern Southeast Asian dishes. At Sunda, the must-try dish is buttermilk roti with vegemite curry. Meanwhile, in Aru, Davidson’s Plum Kaya Ice Cream Sandwich is a must.

Pizza Salt

Looking to tame those late-night cravings? Look no further than Sal’s. For just $4.50, you can grab a slice of cheese pizza as big as your head, like you’d find in New York. With multiple locations around the CBD and the inner north (including one on Gertrude Street), it’s the perfect nightcap no matter where you’re from.

Beats

Rooftop bar

With music playing seven nights a week and stunning views of the city, this bar (colloquially referred to as the “rooftop”) is one of the best places in town for a drink and a dance. It is housed in the iconic Curtin House on Swanston Street, which is also home to The Toff in towna few restaurants and a small selection of retailers, including Australian streetwear brand, WFP.

wax flower

Dark and moody with an impressive natural wine list and an even bigger selection of vinyls (3,500 to be exact), Waxflower is an audiophile’s dream. The cozy bar is the perfect spot for a more passive listening experience – enjoyed over a plate of oysters or kangaroo skewers. However, when the DJs are playing from the center of the bar, it’s hard to look away.

Howler

Brunswick’s Sydney Road is a haven for live music. Included between Small group of timeBar Oussou, the retirement hotel and Brunswick Ballroom, you can’t walk a block without spotting a place. But by far one of the best in the area is Howler. With its stunning outdoor courtyard, happy hour specials, and rotating lineup of local and international artists, it’s a great place to catch a concert or grab a drink.

sleeping

Hotel Quincy

The Quincy Hotel is based in Singapore but recently opened its first Melbourne outpost on Flinders Lane. With bold, bright rooms, a rooftop pool, and plenty of in-room entertainment, Quincy is a wonderful mid-budget lodging option. It is also located in one of the most emblematic streets of the city, with a French cafe hardware company and 55th floor lounge Him Bar (brother of World view) at your fingertips.

W Melbourne

World-class restaurants, a secret underground bar and a top-notch indoor pool… Mariott’s W Hotel has it all. Conveniently located on Collins Street, known for its luxury shopping and historic theaters, this is one of the best boutique hotels in town. Starting at $399, it’s not the cheapest stay, but well worth it if you’re looking to have a blast on your next Melbourne vacation.

Converted Church at Fitzroy

At $180 a night, this Airbnb is relatively affordable and absolutely gorgeous with its high ceilings and Gothic wrought-iron doors. It is located in one of Melbourne’s busiest suburbs, just between Brunswick Street and Smith Street, two Melbourne must-sees. With the aforementioned Gertrude Street to the south and Johnston Street, another local hotspot, to the north, you’re in perfect proximity to take in all the action.

This article is brought to you by Jack Daniel’s – Make It Count.

Originally published as 48 hours in Melbourne and how to spend them all