Australia
Photo: Ian Smith
City of contrasts
Melbourne is a city of contrasts and it is these that make Melbourne one of the most livable cities in the world.
Melbourne is accepted as Australia's leader in fashion, culture and the arts, a style setter, a great place to shop. It is a historic city retaining many of its heritage landmarks, famous parks, old buildings and its iconic trams but one that provides a modern lifestyle mixing dining and eating out, indeed a passion for food and wine, with cuisines influenced by the many nationalities residing here along with an exciting nightlife of live theatre and music, bars, lounges, pubs, clubs, events and film.
The contrasts continue with Melbourne being Australia’s busiest trading port and major commerce centre and acknowledged home of Australian sport. The Australian F1 grand prix, motorcycle Moto grand prix, Australian Open Tennis, Melbourne Cup and surfing and golf championships are held here. Melbourne is the home (and origin) of our unique brand of football, Australian Rules.
Melbourne is a multicultural city and in the warm summers, the bayside beaches are shared by all. Melbourne can be taken quietly with a visit to the National Gallery, world famous zoo or an early morning balloon flight or maybe go rock-climbing, marathon running or snow-skiing. Do a training run by pushbike along the beach road next to the bay or sit at one of the many bayside cafes and admire the view over a coffee or two - contrasts that make Melbourne a great place to visit or live.
Melbourne is accepted as Australia's leader in fashion, culture and the arts, a style setter, a great place to shop. It is a historic city retaining many of its heritage landmarks, famous parks, old buildings and its iconic trams but one that provides a modern lifestyle mixing dining and eating out, indeed a passion for food and wine, with cuisines influenced by the many nationalities residing here along with an exciting nightlife of live theatre and music, bars, lounges, pubs, clubs, events and film.
The contrasts continue with Melbourne being Australia’s busiest trading port and major commerce centre and acknowledged home of Australian sport. The Australian F1 grand prix, motorcycle Moto grand prix, Australian Open Tennis, Melbourne Cup and surfing and golf championships are held here. Melbourne is the home (and origin) of our unique brand of football, Australian Rules.
Melbourne is a multicultural city and in the warm summers, the bayside beaches are shared by all. Melbourne can be taken quietly with a visit to the National Gallery, world famous zoo or an early morning balloon flight or maybe go rock-climbing, marathon running or snow-skiing. Do a training run by pushbike along the beach road next to the bay or sit at one of the many bayside cafes and admire the view over a coffee or two - contrasts that make Melbourne a great place to visit or live.
Best view
Phillip Island
Melbourne’s best view is undoubtedly to be found 90 minutes outside the city at Phillip Island. Every evening at sunset visitors are witness to the ’penguin parade,’ when the world’s smallest penguins emerge from the sea and cross the beach to their sandy-burrow beds.
Best thing to do for free
Melbourne City Circle tram
Ride the free Melbourne City Circle tram. Hop on and off as you please and get a running commentary on places of interest as you go.
Where to watch the world go by
The cake shops on Acland Street
One of the cafes on Acland Street, St Kilda. This street is renowned for its Jewish coffee shops serving Eastern European-style cakes, where treats of every colour fill the shop windows.
Acland Street is in St Kilda. You can't miss it once you get there
Nighttime hangout
First Floor
Currently Bust-a-nut, DJ Kano's night Saturday night is a highlight.
393 Brunswick Street, Fitzroy
Cultural highlight
Australian rules football
To truly understand what makes a Melbournian tick you should make sure you include a trip to an AFL game during your stay. ‘Aussie rules,’ as it is known, is a Victorian obsession and the smallness of the players shorts have to seen to be believed.
Bring back
Shopping
Melbourne is known as Australia’s fashion capital, so make sure you spend some time (and money) on one of the many shopping strips, the most famous being Chapel Street, South Yarra.
Chapel Street, South Yarra
Time for love
St Kilda pier
St Kilda pier stretches out into Melbourne Bay. Stroll to the end and look back along the beach front towards the historic laughing face façade of Luna Park funfair.
St Kilda
Best-kept secret (till now)
Street art
In Hosier Lane, central Melbourne, and the lanes surrounding it, you will find street art of all descriptions.
Hosier Lane
The thing to eat
Eat modern fusion
Like Britain, the closest Australia comes to an indigenous style of cooking is modern fusion, but thanks to a proximity to South East Asia oriental-influenced styles are particularly good. The local produce is amongst the freshest and cheapest in the world, making it almost impossible to stumble upon a bad meal. Europeans will find the prices hard to believe.
Green space
The Royal Botanic Gardens
Stroll through the Royal Botanic Gardens and you’ll quickly forget your in the middle of a city of more then three million people. A good place to see a concentration of native flora and landscapes.
Keep the kids happy
The Neighbours set
The ultimate cheesy tourist attraction has to be a visit to the Neighbours set, and the patrons are almost exclusively British. Take a tour of Ramsay Street, see Madge’s grave, maybe even catch a glimpse of Dr Karl Kennedy.
Escape the crowds
Yarra Valley vineyards
Around 90 minutes from Melbourne is the Yarra Valley, one of Victoria’s loveliest wine and cheese producing regions. There are lots of tours to guide you around the vineyards or you can simply hire a car and travel at your own pace.
The film to see before I go
Love and other catastrophes (1996)
Set around the University of Melbourne, in the city’s north, this minor indie flick captures a version of mid-90s cool which may look dated but gives a good feel for what makes Melbourne unique. Starring Australian actresses like Frances O'Connor(actually British by birth) and Radha Mitchell, who have since gone on to forge Hollywood careers, this lo-fi production reflects Melbourne’s laid back charm.
... and the novel to read
Nevil Shute’s On the Beach (1957)
This novel, about the aftermath of nuclear war, is set in the imagined future of 1964 where Australia is the only country to survive a nuclear war. It was made into a film in 1959, starring Gregory Peck, Ava Gardner.
Where to eat (budget)
Chocolate Buddha
Generous servings and moderately priced, this superb Japanese restaurant specialises in ramen/noodle soup dishes and has an extensive herbal tea menu too. Two courses for $A25 or less.
Federation Square, City
Where to eat (moderate)
Richmond Hill Cafe and Larder
Home of one of Australia’s best loved chefs and author of the classic cooking tome ‘The Cook’s Companion,’ Stephanie Alexander’s café is currently only opened for breakfast and lunch. You can also buy a huge range local and imported deli goods and hand-made local cheese from the adjoining larder and cheese shop. Main dishes around $A15.
48-50 Bridge Rd, Richmond www.rhcl.com.au
Where to eat (posh)
Flower drum
Consistently voted Melbourne’s best, this Chinese restaurant was first opened in 1975. A combination of traditional Cantonese cooking, modern innovation and the finest ingredients has to make this one of the best Chinese restaurants in the world. Honestly! Wine list is also excellent. Main course around $A40
17 Market Street, City
Where to stay (budget)
The Nunnery Hostel
This 100-year-old former convent is just off Brunswick Street, near the some of Melbourne’s best bars and shops. Good communal spaces and very good value. From $A25 per night including breakfast.
116 Nicholson Street, Fitzroy
Where to stay (moderate)
The Tolarno
Great value for money, and in the heart of St Kilda, this boutique hotel features retro 60s design and a great bar and restaurant. From $A115 per room per night.
42 Fitzroy Street, St Kilda, 03 9537 0200
Where to stay (posh)
The Park Hyatt Melbourne
This is a super luxurious five hotel in an international style. A great bar, restaurant, day spa, tennis court and business centre mean you will want for nothing during your stay. From around $300 per night, room only.
Send your feedback or queries to been.there@guardian.co.uk
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