The cocktail bar The Everleigh
The neighbourhood Carlton
The inner-north suburb’s Lygon Street, with its bookshops and pizza parlours, coffee shops and red-sauce joints, is about as Italian-Melbourne as it gets in so many ways: a thoroughfare where the butcheries play opera (ciao, Donati’s!) and the gelaterias are mobbed even in winter.
The view
Johnny’s Green Room
CARLTON
Speaking of Lygon Street, when student haunt Johnny’s Green Room (johnnysgreenroom.com) moved to its upstairs location, it revealed a fresh perspective on one of the city’s best-known precincts. See Carlton anew from the rooftop bar, a Negroni in hand.
FITZROY
The Everleigh (theeverleigh.com; above) opened its doors a decade ago. But its style beams in from somewhere between the 1920s and 1950s. As you sip on the crisp perfection of a cocktail like the Cavalier (gin, dry vermouth and Montenegro), it becomes instantly clear: the drinks have never been better than right here, right now.
The hidden gem Bar Americano CBD
The bootlegger’s Brigadoon? The Atlantis of alcohol? No, Bar Americano (baramericano.com) isn’t quite that hard to find. Still, the idiosyncrasies of its design (you may have seen larger shoeboxes) and the frosty balance of its European-inflected cocktails reward the intrepid imbiber. Is the Negroni served here truly the best in the world, as has been reported? Check it out for yourself.
The wine bar
City Wine Shop CBD
Kin to The European next door and the Melbourne Supper Club upstairs, City Wine Shop (citywineshop.net.au) deals in a delicious and very specific strain of Classic Melbourne, its comforts cherished and its buzz unending. Flag down a plate of anchovy and butter toast, select a glass of Victorian wine from the list (or a bottle from the shelves) and get amongst it.
The pub Healesville Hotel HEALESVILLE
The historic Healesville Hotel (healesvillehotel.com.au) ticks all the great-pub boxes. Leafy beer garden? Check. Bistro favouring local produce? Check. Formidable cellar? Check. Log fires, pressed-tin ceilings and a warm welcome? Check, check, check.
The winery Yering Station YERING
Grapes have been grown at Yering Station (yering.com) for more than 180 years and the name of the property has become a byword for elegant wines. A restaurant, café and art gallery are among its many charms but the pinot noir is the prime drawcard.
The wildlife
Healesville Sanctuary HEALESVILLE
Saving endangered native animals is the mission of Healesville Sanctuary (zoo. org.au). That’s reason enough to visit but the added carrot (or eucalyptus leaf) is the chance to join a Close-Up tour for encounters with koalas, echidnas and more.
The culture hit TarraWarra Museum of Art HEALESVILLE
While many of the Yarra’s experiences are steeped in rural life, a contemporary outlook has been the appeal of the TarraWarra Museum of Art (twma.com.au) for nigh on 20 years. The collection has works by many of Australia’s finest modern artists, such as
John Brack, Rosalie Gascoigne and Janet Laurence.
The stay Balgownie Estate YARRA GLEN
It has everything you’d want in a wine-country hotel – day spa, cellar door, restaurant – but it’s the valley views and vines that make Balgownie Estate (balgownieestate.com. au) truly restorative.
The meal
Graceburn Wine Room HEALESVILLE
There are longer-established restaurants in the Yarra but winemaker Mac Forbes’ Graceburn (graceburn.com), a tasting room and eatery, epitomises laid-back country cool. Say yes to chef Kate Kilsby’s grilled prawns with finger lime and parsley butter.
The farm
Yarra Valley Dairy YERING
Yarra Valley Dairy (yvd.com. au) specialises in farmhousestyle cheeses and there’s no better way to taste its lush curds, rich matured cheeses and signature Persian fetta in olive oil, thyme and garlic, than in situ, complemented by local wines.
The 360 experience Domaine Chandon COLDSTREAM
Chardonnay and pinot noir are headline acts in this area but it’s also home to one of our most celebrated sparkling wines, Domaine Chandon (chandon.com.au). Book a tour, a tasting session or sit down at the restaurant – and don’t leave without trying the Chandon Vintage Brut 2015.