Southban
Southbank is one of those parts of Melbourne where I’d forget about chasing individual landmarks and focus instead on how much fits along one stretch of the Yarra River. Cross from the CBD, and you can move from major art and theatre venues to river views, Melbourne Skydeck and an evening meal almost entirely on […]
Docklands
The Docklands area of Melbourne is somewhere I’d visit for the overall experience rather than one particular attraction. You’ve got Victoria Harbour and the Bolte Bridge, Marvel Stadium, waterfront restaurants, some pretty cool public art and plenty of family-friendly entertainment around The District Docklands.Docklands feels almost like the opposite of central Melbourne: open water, broad […]
Carlton
Carlton is one of the Melbourne neighbourhoods that gets a lot more interesting once you move beyond the CBD. Within a relatively small, walkable area, you’ll find the Royal Exhibition Building and Carlton Gardens, Melbourne Museum, the distinct Italian heritage of Lygon Street, beautifully preserved Victorian terraces and a lively student and independent cultural scene.What […]
Fitzroy
Fitzroy is where I’d head to see a side of Melbourne that doesn’t revolve around famous landmarks. Just beyond the Melbourne central business district, this compact neighbourhood packs in vintage shops and pubs on Brunswick Street, art galleries on Gertrude Street, vibrant street art, Victorian terraces, weekend markets and live music.What draws me here is […]
Richmond
Richmond is where Melbourne starts to feel less like a collection of famous landmarks and more like a city people actually live in. Just east of the CBD, you’ve got Vietnamese restaurants along Victoria Street, pubs and live music on Swan Street, shopping and Victorian buildings around Bridge Road, and the Melbourne Cricket Ground sporting […]
Olympic Parks
Melbourne & Olympic Park packs an extraordinary amount of Melbourne’s sporting identity into one precinct beside the Yarra River. Just east of the CBD, you’ve got Rod Laver Arena, John Cain Arena, Margaret Court Arena, AAMI Park, dozens of tennis courts and the legacy of the Olympic Games.What makes it worth coming here isn’t one […]
South Yarra
South Yarra is where I’d go once Melbourne’s big-ticket attractions start to feel a little too organised. Just south-east of the CBD in Inner East Melbourne, you’ve got Chapel Street and Toorak Road, historic Como House, Fawkner Park, the Yarra River and the Royal Botanic Gardens within the same part of the city.What makes the […]
St Kilda
St Kilda is a great place to get a taste of Melbourne’s other side without committing to a full day out by the coast. It’s just 6 km from the Melbourne CBD, yet you can take in St Kilda Beach, St Kilda Pier, Luna Park, the Palais Theatre, Acland Street and an urban penguin colony […]
Brighton
Brighton is definitely worth considering if you want a taste of one of Melbourne’s best-known coastal spots without blocking out your whole day. Around Brighton Beach, the Brighton Bathing Boxes at Dendy Street Beach are the main event, but in my view you’ll get much more from a trip that also takes in the rest […]