MELBOURNE
Australia’s cool cultural hotspot is a great escape for the summertime, writes James Litston
STAY HERE
Base yourself in the thick of things at the Adelphi (https://adelphi.com.au),
Melbourne’s original design hotel that just had a top-to-toe update. Doubles from R2,750, B&B. Less chic but more spacious is Oaks on Market (oakshotels.com), where apartment-style digs come with kitchenettes. Doubles from R1,300, room only.
WALK HERE
Federation Square (fedsquare.com) is the main space for cultural events.
Admire the deconstructionist architecture and artworks at the National Gallery of Victoria, popularly known as the NGV
(ngv.vic.gov.au), then cross the Yarra River for a stroll on the South Bank to the goldtopped Eureka Tower, Melbourne’s tallest building at 297m.
Its observation deck occupies the entire 88th floor and is the highest public vantage point in a building in the Southern Hemisphere at 285m — meaning you can get a dizzying bird’s-eye view of the skyline, river and Port Phillip Bay.
Skip the crowds by visiting at weekends and bear in mind that it’s busiest at sunset. A$21 (R215) per person
(eurekaskydeck.com.au).
TRY THIS
Central Melbourne’s back streets and laneways are brimming with discoveries. Find your way around their cafés, bars and one-of-a-kind stores on a walking tour with Hidden Secrets (hiddensecretstours.com).
AU$95 (R976) per person for three hours.
SHOP HERE
Collins Street is Melbourne’s most upmarket shopping address. Nearby laneways and malls offer mainstream brands and independent boutiques, or try The Block, a covered arcade with its original 1892 mosaic floor.
DRINK HERE
Squeezed into an alley in Chinatown, Union Electric (unionelectric.com.au) is typical of Melbourne’s tucked-away small bars. Head to the open-air level and order a Melbourne Moonshine with apple juice (R150).
EAT HERE
Seven years after it opened, Chin Chin’s popularity is undimmed
(chinchinrestaurant.com.au). Join the queue for a table and feast on pan-Asian food. Can’t decide? Try the “Feed Me” menu of bestselling dishes. Around R1,000 pp.
OFF THE MAP
Swap urban buzz for native bush in Yarra Bend Park. Hire a boat (R250, studleyparkboathouse.com.au)and look out for fruit bats or even the odd platypus. ● L S.
© The Daily Telegraph