Melbourne Shopping and Melbourne Markets
If you’ve come to Melbourne for a designer statement piece, look no further than Melbourne Central. Spanning two blocks in the middle of the city, this popular shopping destination houses more than 300 retailers and brands from around the world.
Looking for something a little eccentric? Head to the bustling Queen Victoria Market or St Kilda Markets on the Esplanade for a selection of handmade gifts, jewellery and housewares.
Melbourne accommodation:
The Olsen, South Yarra
Melbourne Festivals, Arts and Culture
There are so many Melbourne festivals happening throughout the year that you’re bound to be in town when one is on. The streets of St Kilda become a sea of musicians, entertainment, dance and more during the second Sunday in February each year for the St Kilda Festival. The Melbourne International Arts Festival inspires creativity each October, with everything from theatre to multimedia. The massive music festival FOMO is a full day of the best musical acts from around the country and takes place in January each year.
From comedy to opera and everything in between, the Palais Theatre in St Kilda has hosted some of the best entertainment around (including The Rolling Stones, The Beach Boys and Bob Dylan) in a beautifully restored art deco building. Even if you’re not going for a show, it’s worth a visit just for a few photos.
The Melbourne Museum houses world-class exhibitions, including an in-depth look into the story of Melbourne, skeletons and teeth of over 17 dinosaurs and a celebration of Nelson Mandela’s extraordinary life.
With more than 70,000 works of art, the National Gallery of Victoria (NGV) is a must-see for all budding artists. Enjoy free entry to the permanent collection and a number of talks, tours, programs and performances happening throughout the year. Another Melbourne art gallery worth checking out is the Ian Potter Museum of Art with free entry and art collections from the University of Melbourne as well as public and private collections from around the country and the world. If big galleries aren’t your thing, put on your walking shoes and discover Melbourne’s smaller galleries hidden around the city.
Melbourne accommodation:
The Chen, Box Hill
Melbourne Restaurants
Melbourne laneways and arcades are scattered around the city and if you can find them, you’ll be spoilt with a plethora of restaurants and bars to choose from serving up some of the best food in Melbourne. Some of our favourites include Hardware Lane, AC/DC Lane and Degraves Street.
Our pick of some of the other best restaurants in Melbourne include Gramercy Social and HuTong Dumpling Bar (in the stylish suburb of Prahran), Spoonbill (Australian and Mediterranean influenced cuisine on Chapel Street), Whitehorse Chloe (modern seasonal dishes in vibrant Box Hill) and Classico (Italian fare on St Kilda Road).
Melbourne accommodation:
The Cullen, Prahran
Other popular Melbourne attractions
With a hydrotherapy spa pool, heated 25 metre seawater pool and lounge room with stunning bay views, the St Kilda Sea Baths are well worth a visit. Relax and rejuvenate and then enjoy a stroll along the St Kilda Pier or a drink at a nearby café.
Board the Melbourne Star Observation Wheel for a ride into the sky. Enjoy panoramic views of the city and beyond, and for the ultimate experience, book a private cabin with glass of champagne or sangria.
Pack a picnic, hop on a bicycle and head to the Royal Botanical Gardens of Melbourne for a day amongst the roses. With everything from high tea to moonlight movies to open-air bus tours, you won’t run out of things to do at this beautiful oasis in the city.
Melbourne accommodation:
The Larwill Studio, Parkville
Melbourne International Film Festival has been running for sixty five years this year, and has been a cultural landmark for bringing a broad range of cinema to the once isolated Australian audience. This year, two of the films explore two significant Australian artists who come from completely different backgrounds, but have made their impact on Australian art.
"David Larwill was a storyteller, a free spirit who had a name for each painting and a nickname for all," (Ken McGregor). Jane O'Neill converses with Fiona Larwill on David's oeuvre of work and the lasting impression it had on those around him.
