GETTING THERE

for dinner, and is almost always full, so unless you’re lucky enough to grab one of the tables at the front, you’ll probably have to squeeze into a row of banquette seating at the back. Most plates are designed for sharing. Main dishes: Aus$17-37 (between £10 and £25).

Where to drink

The Garden State Hotel (gardenstatehotel.com.au): This sprawling, four-level watering hole in Flinders Lane (one of the main foodie streets of Melbourne’s CBD) offers a wide range of beers, plus wine, champagne and cocktails. Its multi-level Beer Garden has wooden tables set among fig trees, while the subterranean Rose Garden serves cocktails. There’s also a traditional public bar with booths and fireplaces.

For more information on the destination, visit visitmelbourne. com, visitvictoria.com and australia. com

For information on the release of tickets for the 2017 Ashes series, log on to cricket.com.au/ashes

Etihad Airways (www.etihad.com) operates daily flights from London

Koko Black Cafe (kokoblack.com): Melbourne is known as the coffee capital of Australia and there are independent coffee shops everywhere. Try the familyrun Koko Black in Collins Street.A winding, wooden staircase leads to an upstairs cafe. Relax in leather sofas with a coffee or a cup of rich hot chocolate.

Try chilli hot chocolate or a traditional variety, flavoured with hazelnut or cinnamon.

What to do

Go surfing: The Mornington Peninsula, 70km southeast of the city, offers good surfing. Beginners should try the gentler waves off Sorrento beach or join classes at Point Leo and Shoreham. Gunnamatta offers some of the best waves for experienced surfers, while the famed breaks of Bells Beach are where the Rip Curl Pro is held every Easter. Try Salty Surf School (saltysurfschool.com). Twohour group classes cost Aus$60 per person (about £35).