MELBOURNE
With a SOPHISTICATED air, eclectic inner-city NEIGHBOURHOODS and some of the best EATS in the country, VICTORIA has good reason to be proud of its capital.
OUT AND ABOUT
The rivalry between the Victorian capital of Melbourne and Sydney to its north has always been heated, but pitting these two cities against each other is selling both of them short. The fact is that Melbourne, with its buzzing restaurant scene, genteel architecture, headlining sports events and compelling innercity laneways, is a world-class city with a unique appeal all its own.
Any exploration of the city should start at its heart, walking the maze of street art-lined laneways that contribute so much colour and life: is the leader of the pack, FLINDERS LANE lined with destination diners and cool bars that pulse with action late into the night;
is a kaleidoscope of colour HOSIER LANE thanks to the street artists who favour its walls (browse the giant canvas sipping a coffee from social enterprise cafe GOOD 2
GO); make your way through the throng of locals in to shop at the iconic CENTRE PLACE and wait for a table at KINKI GERLINKI
for steaming hot SHANDONG MAMA MINI dumplings; or continue on to DEGRAVES
where Melburnians take their STREET out-of-town friends for quintessential Melbourne experiences (including coffee at
ESPRESSO). Once you’ve had your DEGRAVES fill of graffiti, head to the ‘Paris end’ of Collins Street, which is recognised by the National Trust for its lovely historic architecture, to browse through the grand and BLOCK ARCADE do a spot of luxury shopping at the likes of
and DIOR, HERMÈS TIFFANY & CO. is the next stop on FEDERATION SQUARE any exploration of the city. This arts precinct is the universal meeting spot for locals, who flock here along with visitors to interact with the interesting collection of galleries: ACMI, in celebration of all things film related, the THE IAN POTTER CENTRE, and KOORIE HERITAGE TRUST NGV DESIGN
The main gallery of the is STUDIO. NGV within walking distance and always worth a visit for its headlining international shows and arresting triennial show (currently on display until 18 April).
Once you’ve had enough coffee, culture and shopping within the inner-city’s tightly packed grid, it is time to explore the personality packed suburbs: plan to head to and to check out the PRAHRAN WINDSOR vintage shopping and hipster bar scene of STREET, the waterfront suburb of CHAPEL KILDA, with its vibrant nightlife and ST LUNA for the kids, and the multicultural PARK delights of BRUNSWICK.