Melbourne is the city of art and literature and all things fancy. If there is another place with an uncanny resemblance to this city that would most certainly be Boston. Also well known for its graffitied laneways, people have come all the way to Melbourne just to take a glimpse of the aerosol art culture.
Melbourne’s graffitied laneways
Streets are sprawling with art galleries and mini-museums, and there is always a coffee joint you can find every fifteen meters from you. Similar to Sydney, people in Melbourne love their coffee! Another metropolis hub second to Sydney, Melbourne has very diverse culture and is made up of very different nationalities from various ethnic groups from all around the world. Read Sydney’s travel guide here! (insert link for Sydney’s travel guide)
Melbourne’s oldest tram system
If there is one thing bad to say about this city, it would be the rainy weather. Expect at least nine whole months of rain, and if you are lucky enough, you might get to see the outline of the sun behind the clouds! But who wouldn’t say no to puddle hopping in a nice pair of Hunter boots or you could get cozy in a warm pair of UGGS which is a favorite Australian apparel brand. There is nothing that can set apart Melbourne from the other Australian cities than the old tram network that covers the downtown core with more than 250 kilometers of the tram network.
EAT
While Sydney is the number 1 destination to visit when in Australia, Melbourne is number 1 in regards to the food scene. With such a big immigrant community and rich cultural diversity, Melbourne sure earns its title of being one of the best food places in the world. If you are a die-hard fan of all things edible, perhaps you could spend a few days in Melbourne just for the food!
Beetroot burgers for veggie lovers
When you think of burgers, you imagine thick succulent meat patties topped with layers and layers of melted cheese and greasy bacon. But in Melbourne, burgers don’t usually come with all that jazz. Instead, you can expect exotic flavors such as beetroot to go with your healthier burger. Take a visit to Huxtaburger at 106 Smith St. and you can sink your teeth in one of those good ol’ Australian ‘Shake Shack’ burgers.
Roasted Peking Duck for a taste of Oriental cuisine
If you are more into oriental cuisine, you could put Flower Drum on your to-go list for Chinese food. Flower Drum serves the best Peking duck in town, and they have been roasting their ducks to perfection for more than 40 years in the making. Or you could be all fancy schmancy and head over to France-Soir for some traditional French food where you will be able to try their classic dishes like the escargot.
PLAY
Queen Victoria Market in Melbourne
Hop on the city’s tram and head over to Queen Victoria Market. You will get the chance to see many Victorian-era buildings near the market area. There are rows of terrace houses that dates all the way back to the 19th century during the reign of Queen Victoria. In present-day Melbourne, these terraced shophouses are now converted and preserved as historical landmarks and tourist attractions.
Boutique shops in Melbourne
Right on Chapel Street, you could perhaps stop for a cup of roasted coffee. The coffee scene in Melbourne is vibrant, and the people don’t just call these places coffee shops – they are more like cafes or coffee joints (that’s how serious Melbourne is about coffee!). You can also take a stroll along Greville Street or Toorak Road if you are interested in doing some shopping. There are lots of artsy museums and boutique shops all around, and every item on sale will be one of a kind.
CHILL
Beach at Mornington National Park
Rent a car for a weekend getaway to the beaches down at Mornington Peninsula National Park for a nice nature stroll for a mini escape from the city. The park is just some 90 kilometers south of Melbourne that is about an hour and a half’s drive away.
Flinders Point in South Australia
Or you could put on your swimsuit and take a swim at Flinders just a little east of the national park. You could enjoy a game of golf if you are up for it as there is also a golf course right around the area. You could also take part in some surfing lessons at one of the beaches at Portsea and Sorrento if you want to get into the action.
STAY
Melbourne Central Business District by the Yarra River
If you want to be in the center of all that is happening in Melbourne, you can consider booking your accommodation in the Central Business District area. Although this area is the priciest in terms of accommodation, it will be very easy and convenient to navigate your way around the city from here. If you are on a budget and don’t really bother about living somewhere far-off to the downtown core, you could consider looking up places at St. Kilda or South Yarra. The average hotel price ranges around the low 100s for these two areas and you could save up a lot on accommodation and spend your money elsewhere such as food!
TIPS
- Be sure to follow strictly to traffic regulations when in Melbourne because the people certainly do adhere to their laws and speed limits.
- Always bring an umbrella or raincoat if you can! (it is always raining!)