Top 12 Things To Do In Melbourne
Oh Melbourne, let's just say it wasn't love at first sight. The minute I got there, I immediately hated it (#TrueStory). Maybe it was because I was coming back from a long road trip across the state and I was really tired or because the weather was absolutely freezing and humid in the middle of summer, or maybe it was just due to that really different architecture compared to what I'm used to in Sydney, but I just didn't like the vibe. I had planned to spend three days there with my friend Marie, and then she would leave and I would spend five days at a friend’s place. I figured a whole week there would help me discover the real Melbourne and get a sense of what it feels like to live there. Somehow my plans changed a little bit and I had to extend my stay by one additional week due to Covid. Melbourne is one of those places that grows on you and that's exactly what happened with me. At the end of my stay, I was getting really comfortable in the city and I liked it so much that I returned for a long weekend about two months later.
Melbourne
When I moved to Australia last year, I considered moving to Melbourne for a while because it was the only place where I knew people in this country. The main reason why I chose not to is the cold weather, but also the fact that it isn't very close to any nice beach. Therefore, I chose to move to Sydney instead and I am really happy I did. I find that Sydney looks like a postcard: it is pristine and surrounded by the most beautiful beaches, it's also very outdoorsy and people live in harmony with the ocean, at least those who live by the beach. However, I must say that despite being the most populous city in Australia, it really lacks that cosmopolitan atmosphere often created by artsy neighbourhoods, trendy cafes, museums, speakeasies, etc. Melbourne is all about that! It is too bad that there isn't a city that combines both, that would be the dream.
In the article below let me share what I think are the top 12 things to do in this vibrant city which I cannot wait to visit again :)
1 - Get some coffee & brekkie
You have probably heard that Australians love a good coffee. In fact, you have probably heard that coffee making is an art in this country and Melbourne apparently makes the best. When people were telling me that Melbourne has the best coffee and that I really needed to try it I kept asking them "where do I need to go?" Their answer would always be the same "you can go anywhere in Melbourne." I thought surely this was an exaggeration, but it turns out it isn't. Melbourne really does make the best coffee I've ever had, and they take brunch very seriously too. Some of the best cafes I've tried are: Rustica, Auction Room, Choukette, Higher Ground, Norman, Top Paddock, Terror Twilight, Archie's, The Kettle Black, Hobba & OPPEN. I know, that's a lot of coffee, and I didn't even list all those I’ve tried.
2 - Explore the CBD
When people visit Melbourne, they usually choose to stay in Fitzroy or near Saint Kilda. Personally I chose to stay in the CBD on both trips. This area is central and very well connected to every other part of the city. It is right next to the train station, buse lines, main museums, the river, and it has beautiful street art. It is also the perfect place to go enjoy a drink on a rooftop bar.
3 - Stroll around the gardens
Melbourne isn't particularly known for its beautiful outdoors, however I must say I was surprised with the number of parks and gardens the city has to offer. My two favourites are by far the Royal Botanic Garden and Carlton Gardens, both perfect for an early morning stroll or a picnic lunch.
4 - Get your tan on in Brighton
It is impossible to go to Melbourne without visiting the bathing boxes in Brighton. During the summer months, this beach is by far the most popular one and can get crowded early in the day. If you want to go there and capture beautiful photos with those colourful little houses before the crowds arrive, I would suggest going really early. Melburnians don't tend to wake up very early so chances are you'll have the place to yourself.
5 - Walk up to St Kilda
From Brighton Beach I would definitely recommend walking up along the water until you reach St Kilda. It takes about an hour to get there and the views on the city centre from the bay are absolutely stunning. By the time you reach St Kilda, you're probably going to be hungry and there are a lot of places you can go to. If you're just looking to grab a drink then I would suggest going to Captain Baxter. They have got a beautiful for rooftop. If you would rather sit closer to the beach whilst enjoying some cocktails, then I would recommend going to Pontoon. Hotel Esplanade and its Japanese restaurant Ichi Ni is also a really good spot. Don't forget to walk up and down the pier for some more beautiful city views.
6 - Go appreciate some art exhibitions
Melbourne is definitely the place to go for anything that relates to art. There are tons of museums with permanent and temporary exhibitions, but the main ones are the National Gallery of Victoria and the Ian Potter Centre, which I both highly recommend visiting. Apparently this painting represents the city of Melbourne in 1867. Things have definitely changed since!
7 - Go on the observation wheel
Something fun and a bit unconventional is the Melbourne Star Observation Wheel. Regular tickets are sold for $27 per person, however there are other options where you can rent a private cabin and have some food and drinks while enjoying the city views. This fun activity lasts about an hour, and the city views are beautiful from up there!
Update 2022: sadly since I wrote this article, the Melbourne Star has been permanently grounded! I’ve decided to leave the photos here as memories, and with the hope that it might reopen one day.
In the meantime, I thought I’d replace the Melbourne Star with the State Library Victoria, which I’ve finally had the chance to see during my third visit to Melbourne. It was established in 1854 and is Australia’s oldest library. It is absolutely stunning!
8 - Go for a walk around Albert Park Lake
Albert Park Lake is one of those places I had never heard of before I got to Melbourne. I was just randomly scrolling through Instagram search page when I came across these beautiful aerial views of the city. After some time looking up online I manage to find where the place was and the next morning I was out there for sunrise. It turns out it is also a popular place to go workout.
9 - Appreciate the street art
Melbourne is heaven on earth for street art lovers. If you truly pay attention, you'll see art almost everywhere on the main streets, parking lots, little alleyways and sometimes even on people's houses. Some of my favourite places where I saw really cool graffitis include Collingwood, Windsor, the CBD and Brunswick. There are a lot of blog articles around this topic and where to find those exact spots. If that’s something you're interested in, I’d suggest googling it and you'll find plenty of itineraries across the city. There are also some street art tours that are organised by local organisations and guides.
10 - Get some rooftop/patio drinks
Melbourne is a city that never sleeps. People are always out and about socialising and having drinks. There are a lot of rooftop bars and nice patios across the city. Some of my favourites include Arbory Afloat, Union Electric, Captain Baxter, Loop Roof and the Garden State Hotel.
11 - Stroll around the best neighbourhoods
The best thing to do to explore the city is literally to just walk everywhere and go from one neighbourhood to another. Each one of them has a very unique vibe and is home to so many good cafes and restaurants. Some of my favourites include the CBD, South Yarra, Prahran, Windsor, and Gertrude Street area between Fitzroy and Collingwood.
12 - Enjoy the nightlife
Lastly, a trip to Melbourne wouldn’t be complete without one (or many) crazy night out indulging in some tasty food and wine at some of the best restaurants and bars that the city has to offer. While I didn't get a chance to go for a proper night out, I did however go to some really good places for dinner. I guess that’s just an excuse for me to return!
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