Melbourne's city centre is easily walkable, from one destination to another. No doubt the best way to see everything. The city is set out like a grid, which makes getting too lost, a little impossible. Many of the best bars, restaurants, cafes and shops can be found down lane ways and inside arcades, which emanates rustic urban charm. Exploring by foot, ensures that stumbling upon something awesome is assured. Otherwise, the Melbourne tram system makes getting around a breeze. Melbourne has the only operating tram network in Australia, taking people places since the late 1800's. The best part is that it's free to travel on, within the city centre.
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| View of Melbourne's City Centre from Southbank |
Numerous Melbourne's lane ways incubate some of the best street art, bars, cafes and restaurants. Such as Hosier lane, Degraves Street, Centre Place and Hardware Lane.
Hosier Lane is the most popular for street art, just opposite Federation Square. Approved lane ways like this, provide a public space for street artists to be creative and use the city walls as their open-air gallery. Wall-to-wall, top-to-bottom, the sides of buildings are covered in splurges of radiant colour and street creations, all adding to the vibrancy and liveliness of the city. The street art changes from time to time, you might even catch an artist or two in spraying action.
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| Street art on Hosier Lane |
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| Street art on Hosier Lane |
For lane way dining, that's more formal head to Hardware Lane. A lane that has a touch of European ambiance, from the brick paved pathway to the alfresco dining under huge umbrellas. Here you can find restaurants serving up Spanish, Modern Australian and Italian cuisines or you may just want to quench your thirst at one of the bars. If a drink is all you're after, head down to the den of the 'Golden Monkey' for a cocktail. A unique and intimate place, with an oriental take.
On the topic of oriental, Chinatown is situated on Little Bourke Street, between Swantson and Russell Streets. For the best Asian cuisines, you can't go wrong in Chinatown. Late night meals can be had at Ling Nan (at 204 Little Bourke Street) or Supper Inn, found just off Little Bourke Street, down the lane way of Celestial Avenue. Try the seafood congee and xo clams along with the crispy chinese donuts.
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| Degraves Street cafes |
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| Centre Place laneway |
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| Little Cupcakes on Degraves Street |
Flinders Street train station emulates true European architecture, with its intricate details in design. A true Melbourne icon. This station expands over two blocks along Flinders Street, with the back exit of the station coming out onto the Yarra River. You can cross the foot-bridge over to the Southbank area and visit the Southgate Precinct, where there are many more bars, restaurants and shops - http://www.southgatemelbourne.com.au/
For small bites to share or a mouth-watering gourmet pizza, head to Bearbrass on the ground floor of the Southgate Precinct. The outdoor courtyard makes for perfect summer seating with river and city views - http://www.bearbrass.com.au/
From Southbank, the view is admirable. With the historic Flinders Street Station at the forefront and the protruding modern skyscrapers peeking over the top. For an area bursting with life, it feels tranquil. Take a seat, enjoy some food and drinks and watch the world go by. A magical area to be when the sun recedes.
For small bites to share or a mouth-watering gourmet pizza, head to Bearbrass on the ground floor of the Southgate Precinct. The outdoor courtyard makes for perfect summer seating with river and city views - http://www.bearbrass.com.au/
From Southbank, the view is admirable. With the historic Flinders Street Station at the forefront and the protruding modern skyscrapers peeking over the top. For an area bursting with life, it feels tranquil. Take a seat, enjoy some food and drinks and watch the world go by. A magical area to be when the sun recedes.
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| Flinders Street Station with the Eureka Tower behind |
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| Southbank foot-bridge and the Ponyfish Island Café beneath |
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| Southbank foot-bridge covered with lockets |
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| Southbank foot-bridge looking through to the Southgate Precinct |
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| View of the city centre from the Southbank side |
Further along Southbank, towards Spencer Street Bridge, is home to the Crown Towers Complex. With two hotels, food courts to fine riverside dining, street brands to luxurious designers, game centre for kids and a casino for adults, it is an entertainment destination for all ages and budgets. Open 24 hours, 7 days a week.
For something unique, at dusk, head outside along the river. On the hour, every hour, there is a showcase of synchronized fireballs blasted into the air. Something special if you're seeing it for the first time. Turning down the heat, inside, towards the main Crown Towers Hotel, you will find a sound, light and water performance. On every 15 minutes for a bit of cool entertainment - http://www.crownmelbourne.com.au/
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| The Crown Towers Complex |
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| Water feature within the Crown Towers Complex |
Wandering around Southbank your eyes are likely to catch on a futuristic origami looking building of earthly colours and glass - that's Federation Square. It sits opposite Flinders Street Station and is another hub with numerous bars, restaurants and cafes to choose from. It is also a place where exhibitions are held throughout the year, as well as festivals and screenings of big sporting events. Check out their website to see what's happening - http://www.fedsquare.com/events
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| Federation Square |
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| Federation Square screen with the Eureka Tower in the background |
Close to Federation Square is a rustic Greek restaurant called Gazi (located at 2 Exhibition Street, on the corner of Flinders Street). An unpolished, but at the same time refined venue, serving amped up Greek street cuisines with amazing bursts of flavours! Get your hands on the Crab Souvlakakia, it is phenomenal! Owned by celebrity chef and restaurateur George Calombaris, you wouldn't expect anything less - http://www.gazirestaurant.com.au/
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| The rustic décor within Gazi Restaurant |
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| The Crab Souvlakakia at Gazi Restaurant |
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| Gazi Restaurant |
Melbourne is a shopping fortress for fashion fanatics. The nerve centre of shopping begins at Bourke Street Mall. From there, shopping branches out in all directions, like veins connected to the heart and what keeps this city's style alive. No matter which direction you decide to proceed from Bourke Street Mall, you're more than likely to come upon another shopping precinct. Such as Little Collins Street, The Royal Arcade, the QV, the Emporium Melbourne and Melbourne Central just to name a few.
For a walk through history, take a stroll through the 'Royal Arcade.' This arcade was built in the late 1800's. It beams of vintage charm and Victorian style. A marvel with it's black and white tiled flooring, arched windows and high glass ceilings. Boutique stores can be found here, but get yourself a deliciously rich hot chocolate from Koko Black.
Opened in 2014 is the Emporium Melbourne, located at 287 Lonsdale street. It is a pristine shopping kingdom, with over 200 stores spread over 6 levels. Housing the best Australian and international designer brands. There are also two food courts with some of the best foods you can find.
If your shopping crusade isn't over, head to Melbourne Central. This shopping venue takes an entire block, which includes a cinema, bowling, restaurants and bars. At the train station end of the shopping centre, you will find a brick building, called the Shot Tower, engulfed by Melbourne Central. The Shot Tower has been around since 1888 and Melbourne Central was constructed around it. Hence, the Shot Tower still stands today. Make sure you look up at Melbourne Central's own beauty spot, a spiraling glass cone over head.
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| The Royal Arcade - KoKo Black on the left |
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| The Emporium Melbourne |
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| The Shot Tower within Melbourne Central |
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| The QV (Queen Victoria Village) |
Just on the outskirts of the city centre the Queen Victoria Market resides. During regular trading days and hours, you can discover fruits/vegetables, souvenirs, clothes and accessories. However, during the summer months in Australia, every Wednesday evening from 5pm-10pm is the QV Night Market. A different vibe from it's usual trading hours. Your senses will discover foods from around the world. Weekday fun with food, drinks, live music and all, on a warm summers night.
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| Queen Victoria Wednesday Night Market |
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| QV night market food stall |
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| Caribbean cassava hot chips at the QV night market |
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| QV night markets outdoor seating |
There are many places to see and things to do in Melbourne and it's only been touched on lightly here. But it's easy to see why Melbourne ends up on the list of 'Most liveable Cities' most years. It's a city made for everyone, with countless trendy bars and restaurants to fit any social gathering, mixing in the goodness of history and present times. An aspiring city, full of inspiration and creativity, gleaming in harmony making Melbourne the ultra vibrant city that it is. A pop of culture that's spreading throughout, making Melbourne much loved for it's stylish charms - that's Melbourne!
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| Melbourne's city centre on the left and the Crown Towers Complex on the right |
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| Melbourne Docklands |
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| Melbourne from the sky |
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