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MELBOURNE

Melbourne

Name your passion and Melbourne can match it.

Discover Melbourne’s eclectic precincts and fringe suburbs and dive in to uncover little-known places for cheap, filling lunches; coffee worth boasting about; underground art; hidden dens and rooftop bars; green spaces; fancy places; and some good yarns along the way.

A packed agenda of food, wine, sports, shopping and arts is your introduction to the best of Melbourne – from its creative, exciting city centre, to its buzzing neighbourhood hubs. It’s the gateway to Victoria’s world-class wineries, natural springs, peninsulas, spectacular coastline and alpine villages.

The city is a visitor-friendly combination of bustling thoroughfares and fascinating lanes, no other Australian city has as many alluring arcades to explore.

Winding through the city is the Yarra River. A Melbourne icon, the river is the focus for numerous spectacular events including the famous Moomba festival, rowing regattas and the Melbourne Festival. Its Southbank district is lined with cafés and bars, while on the north side you’ll find the city’s creative heartland around Federation Square.

Further afield, the vibrant, trendy and culturally diverse suburbs such as Fitzroy, St Kilda and Prahran are easily accessible via the famous city tram and bus network.

Other Melbourne and Victoria Destinations you may like:
> NOOSA     > MOOLOOLABA     > ALEXANDRA HEADLANDS



MELBOURNE ON SALE



Our best Melbourne, Australia packages right now, created by our travel experts to offer you incredible holidays at serious value. Find even more deals on accommodation, flights, touring and sightseeing on our Sydney & Melbourne On Sale section.
 


 

 



OUR FAVOURITE PLACES TO EXPLORE IN MELBOURNE & SURROUNDS


Yarra Valley
Yarra Valley

Yarra Valley is home to Victoria’s wine industry and features over 70 vineyards including famous names like De Bortoli and Domaine Chandon. Sharing the rich soil are many farms and orchards giving the valley a real abundance of fresh, locally grown food for its many cellar door restaurants. It would be rude not to sample a drop of wine while here, spending the whole afternoon enjoying the gorgeous scenery and delicious cuisine to match.

Mornington Peninsula
Mornington Peninsula

The Mornington Peninsula is said to be one of the jewel's in Victoria's crown and it combines the best of Europe’s coastal living with traditional Aussie charm. Explore the galleries, spas and cafés in breezy seaside villages, cool off with a day on the beach, or escape to the hinterland for gourmet delights at boutique wineries.

Grampians National Park
Grampians National Park

The Grampian National Park with rugged mountain scenery is renowned for unspoilt natural beauty and has great lookouts with stunning views, dazzling waterfalls, ancient Aboriginal rock art, colourful wildflower displays and abundant native wildlife.

Phillip Island
Philip Island

At Phillip Island, check out the Grand Prix circuit which hosts an annual leg of the World Superbike Championship. Explore the shops in Cowes and perhaps have a meal overlooking the beach before heading to the Phillip Island Nature Park. Here you can view seals, dolphins, sharks, koalas, and most famously, penguins. Stay for the Penguin Parade at sunset to see thousands of Fairy Penguins waddle up the beach seeking refuge after a long day out fishing.

Twelve Apostles
Twelve Apostles

The Twelve Apostles is a collection of limestone stacks off the shore of the Port Campbell National Park. These stacks have been eroded away from the limestone cliffs by the churning surf. A walkway takes you to best points of view, or take an incredible helicopter ride over the beach to see the eight remaining stacks, as well as awesome coastal scenery.

Brighton Beach
Brighton Beach

Melbourne’s urban sprawl creeps its way around Port Phillip Bay and finishes a little after Frankston, which was itself once a beach resort, but has since been swallowed by the suburbs. Drive past St Kilda and you will find Brighton, well known for its collection of more than 80 colourful bathing boxes lining its beautiful beach scenery.

Loch Ard Gorge
Loch Ard Gorge

Loch Ard Gorge is a small bay that took its name from a ship that wrecked herself there 1878. Various relics can be around the bay, as well as a small museum. This section of the coast is known as the Shipwreck Coast and has claimed over 600 ships. More can be learned about the long notorious history of the shipwrecks at Warrnambool’s Maritime Village.

Bendigo and Ballarat
Bendigo & Ballarat

The inland cities of Bendigo and Ballarat both have a similar history, these cities were born of gold. From the mid 1800’s, Victoria was the scene of one of the world’s richest gold rushes. In its day, Bendigo dwarfed Melbourne in the population stakes as international prospectors flockedhere. These cities haven’t forgotten their roots and many gold rush attractions exist including Sovereign Hill, and 1850’s mining village with an impressive sound and lightshow.

 



SOME THINGS TO SEE AND DO IN MELBOURNE



St Kilda ST KILDA

Melbourne’s favourite seaside suburb is undoubtedly St Kilda. Just a quick tram ride from the city centre, St Kilda is the place to be on a hot day, and seemingly most of Melbourne does indeed head there when the heat becomes too much. The small, manmade beach is not much of a destination itself, but there’s also a small theme park and cute pier with an icecream kiosk by day, and penguins to spot by night.

Shopping SHOPPING

The city’s shopping precinct Emporium Melbourne features a mix of local and international designers, innovative concept, flagship stores and world-class architecture. It connects to Melbourne Central, Myer Melbourne and to David Jones via pedestrian bridges and tunnels. You have to see it to believe it!
Events and Shows - Aussie Rules Football EVENTS & SHOWS
 

A whole world of events awaits you in Melbourne. Whatever the season, the city is buzzing with theatre, exhibitions, concerts, festivals and sporting events. Drawing guests from across Australia and around the globe, Melbourne’s busy events calendar is sure to excite.
Southbank Precinct SOUTHBANK PRECINCT
 

Scratch the surface in Melbourne and you’ll discover a city buzzing with dynamic and cuttingedge arts and culture. Head to the Southbank precinct – where the The Arts Centre, MTC, Malthouse, Recital Centre and the National Gallery of Victoria form Melbourne’s beating cultural heart.
Federation Square FEDERATION SQUARE
 
At Federation Square, where art meets architecture, watch inspiring audio visual shows at ACMI, see the collection at the Ian Potter Centre, or catch a recital at The Edge theatre. Inside and out, you’ll discover the innovation and skill of local artists and designers at hole-in-the-wall galleries and theatres across the city.
Food and Wine FOOD & WINE
 

Experience Melbourne’s mix of cultures in its myriad restaurants, cafés, bistros and bars. Whether you’re after modern, traditional, exotic or homespun flavours – the city’s eclectic dining scene offers a startling array of the world’s great cuisines, from popular favourites to the truly ground breaking.
Australian Open AUSTRALIAN OPEN

One of the biggest tennis events in the world – the Australian Open is an event you don’t want to miss. The first out of the four Grand Slam events, sit back in the Melbourne sunshine in January to watch the world’s top players compete to become tennis legendaries.
Melbourne International Flower and Garden Show MELBOURNE INTERNATIONAL FLOWER & GARDEN SHOW
 

Hosted in the exquisite heritage-listed Royal Exhibition Building and Carlton Gardens over five glorious Autumn days. Featuring the best landscape and floral talent from Australia and around the world alongside an extensive array of garden retail products, the Show is a celebration of lifestyle and great outdoors.
Fitzroy Street Art FITZORY STREET ART
 

Learn all about the stories behind the artists and explore the bustling urban hub of Fitzroy and Collingwood, Melbourne’s most colourful suburbs on a guided street art tour. The tour is run entirely by street artists, offering an authentic view into the underground art scene. The walking tour changes route regularly due to the ephemeral nature of the street art but will cover the main laneways and street art walls in Fitzroy and Collingwood. You can also check out 21 Degraves Street, Hosier Lane or Rutledge Lane – graffiti goodies abound.
Melbourne Star MELBOURNE STAR
 

One of only four giant observation wheels in the world and the only one in the Southern Hemisphere. With 21 spacious cabins and 120 metres high, enjoy a 30 minute flight and take in the unparalleled 360° views of Melbourne and surrounds by day or night.
Art Galleries ART GALLERIES
 

The National Gallery of Victoria has been wow-ing art-seekers since 1861, making it Australia’s oldest public art gallery and a top-spot for truly remarkable art pieces. On the flip side there’s the Gertrude Contemporary Art Gallery which displays international modern artwork across three impressive gallery spaces.

Melbourne Zoos - Healesville Sanctuary MELBOURNE ZOOS
 

Experience an African adventure a little closer to home at the Werribee Open Range Zoo or meet over 300 different species from around the world at Melbourne Zoo. Or for a truly Australian experience visit Healesville Sanctuary and interact with Australian Wildlife.
Sovereign Hill SOVEREIGN HILL
 

Journey back in time to the Victorian gold rush era and you visit historic Ballarat and the period town of Sovereign Hill. Enjoy stories of the Eureka Stockade and see tradesmen at work. Tour an underground mine and even try tour luck panning for gold!
Queen Victoria Market QUEEN VICTORIA MARKET FOODIE TOUR
 

for its seemingly endless fresh food stalls. Walk through some of the iconic food precincts and sample a selection of tastings from the market stalls. Tastings are dependent on what is fresh on the day. Discover the heritage and culture of the market and listen to stories about the traders who have shaped the market since 1878.
Colonial Tramcar Restaurant COLONIAL TRAMCAR RESTAURANT
 

These restaurants on wheels were the first travelling tramcar restaurants in the world, with the choice of lunch, early dinner or a late dinner. As you cruise the city streets of Melbourne you’ll enjoy a set menu of fine Australian cuisine and drink the very best of Australian wines.
Melbourne Aquarium MELBOURNE ATTRACTION PASS
 

Save time and money with the Melbourne Attraction Pass! Visit two of Melbourne’s premier attractions – the Melbourne Aquarium where there is always something new to see and Eureka Skydeck 88 offering unparalleled views of Melbourne and surrounding regions. The pass allows single entry to each attraction.





What's going on in Melbourne?
MELBOURNE EVENTS & SHOWS



Looking for something to do in Melbourne? From annual sporting exhibitions such as the Australian Open and the Melbourne Cup, to art and cultural shows such as the Melbourne International Flower & Garden Show, Melbourne is a hub for popular events and festivals in Australia.  


 

 



MELBOURNE ACCOMMODATION


Here's a taste of some of our favourite hotels and resorts in the Melbourne.
Come in-store or send us an enquiry to help us find the best accommodation for you.

ibis Melbourne Swanson Street
Melbourne CBD
IBIS MELBOURNE SWANSON STREET
 ★★★
A contemporary hotel conveniently located within walking distance of the city’s iconic landmarks such as the Queen Victoria Market and the Royal Exhibition Building. The hotel is an ideal base for first time visitors allowing easy access to the Lygon Street Italian precinct, restaurants at Gertrude Street and the Melbourne Central Shopping centre.
Causeway Inn on the Mall
Melbourne CBD
CAUSEWAY INN ON THE MALL
★★★half star

This is a prime position on Bourke Street Mall, the vibrant heart of Melbourne, opposite Myer and David Jones department stores. The hotel is surrounded by lively cafés, fashion and accessory boutiques, Melbourne’s famous shopping arcades and international fashion houses Zara and H&M.
Mercure Welcome Melbourne
Melbourne CBD
MERCURE WELCOME MELBOURNE
 ★★★half star

A shopper’s dream – next door to David Jones and a couple of doors down from Myer. Just around the corner is Bourke Street Mall and across the road is the new Emporium shopping centre. It is also really easy to discover the specialist stores and fantastic boutiques in the many laneways nearby.
Adina Apartment Hotel Melbourne
Melbourne Apartment
ADINA APARTMENT HOTEL MELBOURNE
 ★★★★half star
In the heart of Melbourne with its cool laneways and trendy bars sits Adina Apartment Hotel Melbourne. Offering spacious apartments with sophisticated décor. Splash in the indoor heated pool, work out in the gym or unwind in the sauna. Only minutes from Bourke Street Mall and the Old Melbourne Gaol – the location is unbeatable.



INSPIRE ME
Melbourne holiday planning articles


Are you planning your next trip to Melbourne? Want to learn more about this destination? Or looking for ideas and inspiration for your next holiday? Here is where you can find our featured articles on Melbourne.

 


Hit the highlights of Melbourne
Hit the highlights of Melbourne
Hit the highlights of Melbourne


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This is just a taste of the information and advice we have available through our House of Travel consultants.
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