Melbourne

Explore

Stylish, elegant and refined, Melbourne is Australia’s undisputed cultural capital.  This vibrant metropolis is populated by dozens of national attractions, while the inner city’s labyrinthine backstreets offer visitors the chance to experience its fascinating underbelly.  Like so many parts of Australia, Melbourne’s multicultural environs mean there’s an incredible range of restaurants and eateries to choose from – from Michelin Star-winning fine dining to hole-in-the-wall coffee joints, it’s a city that caters to every palate.  Visiting isn’t just an option – for those wanting to understand Australia and its culture, it’s a requisite.

Start off your Melbourne adventure by visiting the recommended places – you know, the monuments, the museums, the national icons.  It’s a good way to make sure you don’t miss anything important while acclimatizing to the weather and fast-paced Melburnian lifestyle.  Locations like Federation Square, the Royal Botanic Gardens and the Shrine of Remembrance encapsulate the city’s spirit, while the Immigration Museum, Captain Cook’s Cottage and Parliament House will give you a glimpse into Australian history.  For those travelling with children, Melbourne Zoo, Queen Victoria Markets, the Chinese Museum and the Eureka Skydeck are all great places to keep the whole family entertained.

Once you’ve satiated your appetite for attraction visits, it’s time to check out the alleyways of old Melbourne, and try the city’s incredible gastronomic scene.  There’s plenty of guided tours that walk tourists through the best locations, but, if you’re more interested in going solo, it’s a good idea to make use of the CBD’s extensive tram network, which gives you quick and easy access to most parts of the city.  Key areas include the maze of narrow lanes around Flinders, Collins and Burke Streets, the Block Arcade in Collins Street, and the Docklands, a relatively recent addition to the city’s districts.  For further exploration, move away from the CBD and check out the historical Fitzroy and Carlton districts.

There’s so many restaurant choices in Melbourne that it can be tough to select which one is your ‘must-visit’ location.  For creative, Australian cuisine, world-class venues like Attica, Ides and Matilda are perfect choices; if you love seafood, the seaside Stokehouse is well worth a visit.  At the apex of Melbourne’s international offerings are traditional Japanese restaurant Minamishima and the bold Tiop 00, which pays tribute to Italy with deliciously simple pasta dishes.

Among Australians, Melbourne is jokingly referred to as ‘the city with four seasons in one day’.  It’s a tribute to the city’s constantly changing weather, and translates well into the tourist experience – no matter how well you think you know Melbourne, there’s always something new around the corner, some previously-undiscovered wonder that makes every day an incredible adventure.  So, come and visit – book with Club Wyndham, and get a taste of Melbourne.