The culture hit Melbourne Street Art Tours
A tour of the city’s world-famous locations (melbourne streettours.com) led by a street artist is a surefire way to get down with the nitty-gritty. Run by members of art collective Blender Studios, the tour allows you to explore the ever-changing aerosol landscape of hidden laneways and arcades before finishing with an exclusive look at their West Melbourne headquarters and gallery.
The park
Royal Botanic Gardens Victoria SOUTH YARRA
A 38-hectare oasis about two kilometres from the city (take the tram along St Kilda Road or a walking path beside the Yarra), Melbourne Gardens (part of the RBGV; rbg.vic.gov.au) is cinematic in scope with a dizzying array of landscapes to explore. Don’t miss the lush Fern Gully or the new Arid Garden with more than 3000 cacti and succulents. And be prepared: the fully fenced Children’s Garden welcomes messy play in its bamboo forest, wetland area and kitchen garden.