Melbourne: Insight Travel Guide
Cosmopolitan Melbourne is an exciting hub for shopping, dining, sport, and the best of Australia’s arts scene. It’s also just a day trip away from nature walks, wineries, and the beach hamlets along the Great Ocean Road.
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Inner Melbourne
Melbourne, Australia, TravelalotThe network of laneways, with their cafés, restaurants and boutiques give the CBD its distinctive character. Hosier Lane is particularly famous for its riotous street art. The Ian Potter Centre in nearby Federation Square is a branch of the National Gallery of Victoria (NGV). The stunning contemporary building houses the NGV’s Australian collection, including a significant collection of aboriginal art. The NGV International is about ten minutes walk away.
Also nearby is the Rod Laver Arena, home to the Australian Open tennis, as well as the Melbourne Cricket Ground. The beautiful parklands of Fitzroy Gardens and the Royal Botanic Gardens are wonderful spots to make the most of the city’s bicycle hire.
Food
Food is a serious highlight in Melbourne with an incredible menu of authentic international cuisines throughout the city. Whether it’s fine dining at Movida or street food at Hanoi Hannah’s, the choices are diverse and delicious. In addition, Melburnians are justifiably proud of their nightlife and bars. Enjoy a cocktail at one of the city’s chic rooftop bars, or make the most of the vibrant live music scene.
Also Read: Australia’s 10 most Popular Traditional Foods
Shopping
Shopping is another highlight and visitors can indulge their passion and their love of food at Queen Victoria Market. Otherwise, wander the stylish suburbs of Fitzroy and Carlton for chic boutiques and stylish homewares.
Top rated Melbourne Zoo is about 25 minutes by tram north of the CBD. Or catch a tram south to beachfront St Kilda. Stroll the breezy Esplanade, take a dip, or visit Luna Park and enjoy the rides.
Around Melbourne, take a drive into the magnificent Dandenong ranges for gorgeous nature walks. Perhaps take a trip to the charming towns and dramatic coastal views along the Great Ocean Road. The wineries of the Yarra Valley are also only an hour’s drive from the CBD.
Melbourne travel facts
The key to enjoying Melbourne is to be prepared for any weather. Wearing layers is advised seeing temperatures are known to fluctuate year round. Summer in Melbourne can be blisteringly hot, reaching the high thirties, but also drop to the low teens. Winter, from April to September, is reliably chilly with minimum temperatures in the single digits and daytime temperatures rarely climbing higher than the low teens.
Tullamarine Airport is about 30 minutes drive from the CBD with a choice of taxi or Sky Bus. Self-drivers need to be aware of toll roads and buy a pass. Tram travel within the CBD ‘city grid’ is free. Visitors need to pre-purchase a Myki smart-card to travel beyond. Trams on the same line share the same number regardless of the direction, so check its destination before you get on. That will be written on the front.
