Hey guys, I've been living in Melbourne, Australia, for the past 1 year in 2014. I would like to share my experiences there and the top 10 things to do in Melbourne that you shouldn't miss out.
Let's start with No.1
1. St. Kilda Beach
1. St. Kilda Beach
Summer in Melbourne people would think of sun, beach, cold beer and outdoor or water activities. One of the most popular beach in Melbourne is St. Kilda beach which is only 15minutes drive from the city center or 19-20minutes by tram (check the tram line here!). It is a wide, sandy beach, good for swimming, sun bathing or hangout with a group of friends. There are lots of cafes, restaurants, bars and shops along the beach and on Acland street, which is one of the main hangout spot and night life in St. Kilda.
St. Kilda on a great sunny day
Luna Park, the landmark smiley face
The first thing you would notice when you reach St. Kilda is Luna Park, one of the main attraction in St. Kilda. It is a 101 year old historic amusement park with roller coasters and rides. No one can miss this landmark, a giant laughing face at the entrance. Just 5 minutes walk behind the park is St. Kilda beach.
Melbourne city skyline view
St. Kilda magical sunset
Kitesurfing
St. Kilda brew
O'donnell Park, St.Kilda
2. Queen Victoria Market
Melbourne
has an incredible outdoor lifestyle and markets are one of
Melbournians and tourists favorite places to buy fresh produce, local
and imported gourmet foods, meat, poultry, seafood, cloths, souvenir,
art & crafts etc.
Queen
Victoria market ("Queen Vic" or "Vic market" in
short) is one of the most well known market in Melbourne. It opens
everyday of the week except Monday and Wednesday and located pretty
much in the inner city center. There's a night market on during
summer so don't miss that. ( Vic
market info & map!! )
Fresh Flowers
Fresh fruits & Veggies
Organic fruits & Veggies
CHEESE!!! & deli foods
Souvenir
American hot jam donut van
You can also enjoy this American hot jam donut. The queue can be pretty long but it's worth the wait.
3. Brighton beach & Brighton bathing boxes
Number
3 in the top 10 things to do in Melbourne i choose Brighton beach. I
love these bathing boxes. They are so colorful, cute and quite a
unique beach art. These bathing boxes have remained the same for over
100 years and painted by Australian artists. Isn't that impressive!!
I went there on a 40 degrees day in summer & almost passed out
haha. Well, in summer there was only 3-4 days that is 40 degrees so
choose your day wisely.
What can you do there?! swim, sun bathing, take lots of photos and just enjoy the arts and relax. It's quite easy to get here too, either drive, by train or by bus. (Plan bus & tram trip click here!!)
What can you do there?! swim, sun bathing, take lots of photos and just enjoy the arts and relax. It's quite easy to get here too, either drive, by train or by bus. (Plan bus & tram trip click here!!)
Brighton bathing boxes
Which
bathing box art do you like the most?! I love the space invader and
of course the Australian flag one. So there you go the 3rd in the top
10 things to do in Melbourne.
4.
Melbourne street art alleyway and lane ways
6. Flinders street railway station and Federation square
"I'll meet you under the clocks"
Federation square in Melbourne, in short is "Fed square", is a big public square or public space that usually hold events, cultural festivals, exhibitions, concerts, major activities and etc. In each year Federation Square host over 2,000 events, Wow!!! That's why there're lots of things happening in Melbourne and it's hard to get bored living in this city. Federation square is build above the busy railway lanes and located just across the street from Flinders street railway station and behind Federation square is the Yarra river. It is also one of the famous meeting spot in Melbourne as well.
7. Melbourne's Chinatown
This
must be my next favorite thing to do while in Melbourne. I never get
bored of it as sometimes you go back to the same spot paintings might
change to something different or if you are lost in a small
alleyway you might be lucky to find a giant painting on the wall.
Melbourne
the city of art!! It is known as one of the world's great street art
capital. There are many different kind of street arts you can find in
Melbourne from no name artists to well know artist like Banksy.
Hosier Lane - August 2014
The
most famous lanes for these arts are Hosier and Rutledge lane. The
arts and paintings could change every month or in a day.
I
have tried to follow the Street
art tour map!! once
but many lanes and alleyways were empty or have just one small
painting so for my suggestion go to Hosier and Rutledge lane
(opposite Federal Square). It is one of the most popular spot. I also
found amazing arts on walls and buildings in Collingwood and
Brunswick street. So if you go to that area just walk into any of the
lanes or alleyways you will definitely find great arts and paintings.
Just get lost in those lanes and you will be surprised what you
can find there.
Wood st. Colliningwood - August 2014
So there you go our number 4, Melbourne street arts. Lets
continue to the 5th place in the
top 10 things to do in Melbourne shall
we!!
5. Melbourne's Cafes
5. Melbourne's Cafes
I must include this in the top 10 things to do in Melbourne. One of my favorite activity in Melbourne is going to nice cafes, having a nice cup of hot cappuccino and awesome breakfast/brunch. Melbourne has been voted as having the world's best coffee. It has beaten Rome, Vienna and Sydney. Baristas in Melbourne take pride in their coffee. Coffee and cafe culture here is very big and it is the life of Melbournians.
If you come to Melbourne, going to a great cafe is a must!! A place where it's been voted as world's best coffee, you can't miss that!!
Bear face Cappuccino Cafe Latte
Corn Fritters w poach egg & mash avo
This
is what i miss the most about Melbourne, coffee and breaky. I won't
be able to find coffee and breaky as good as in Melbourne and the
presentation of the food is also so amazing, the atmosphere of the
cafes are quite unique, Melbourne style.
Hammer & Tong - Brunswick st.
Hammer
& Tong is one of my FAVORITE cafe. The coffee is amazing and
breakfast is so yummy. The food is very creative and smart which make
this place so interesting such as the soft shell crab burger. They
just launched a food truck van recently as well.
Tripple Egg Benedict - Chapel st.
Alimentari Cafe - in Collingwood
Cumulus Inc Cafe - Flinders lane
Top Paddock Cafe - Topping with edible flowers, Richmond
Cafes in the Alleyway
I hope I didn't make you guys get too hungry with all these delicious food photos Haha!!
6. Flinders street railway station and Federation square
I put these 2 together, Flinders street railway station and Federation square, because they are just right opposite across the road from each other. So here is number 6 in the top 10 things to do in Melbourne. It's a place where you cannot miss.
Flinders Street Railway Station
This beautiful and picturesque main railway station in Melbourne, located in the city center, corner of Flinders and Swanston street and behind the station is the Yarra river. You can never miss this recognizable landmark when you reach Melbourne as it is now one of the most famous spot in Melbourne. I pretty much walked past Flinders street railway station everyday.
Flinders Street Railway Station
This beautiful and picturesque main railway station in Melbourne, located in the city center, corner of Flinders and Swanston street and behind the station is the Yarra river. You can never miss this recognizable landmark when you reach Melbourne as it is now one of the most famous spot in Melbourne. I pretty much walked past Flinders street railway station everyday.
It is one of the most busiest train station in Melbourne and it's basically the first railway station in Australian city. It's located in the main spot in Melbourne CBD, near the tram lines and all the shops, cafes and restaurants are along the station.
"I'll meet you under the clocks"
And of course it is also a main meet up spot because everyone knows about it and it's in a great and convenient location. People usually meet under the clocks at the main entrance, "I'll meet you under the clocks". I met my friends there at Flinders street railway station a few times and it is actually a very convenient spot and you will definitely find each other.
White night 2014, 22nd February (White Night info CLICK HERE!!)
Just across the street from Flinders street railway station is Federation Square.
Federation Square
Federation Square
Federation square in Melbourne, in short is "Fed square", is a big public square or public space that usually hold events, cultural festivals, exhibitions, concerts, major activities and etc. In each year Federation Square host over 2,000 events, Wow!!! That's why there're lots of things happening in Melbourne and it's hard to get bored living in this city. Federation square is build above the busy railway lanes and located just across the street from Flinders street railway station and behind Federation square is the Yarra river. It is also one of the famous meeting spot in Melbourne as well.
Yay Yay!! Lets meet at Fed square!!
There are lots of cafes, restaurants and bars in Fed square. There are few places that you can sit and see the Yarra river view like the Transport Hotel bar. I went there a few times and they have a nice selection of beer. You can also walk along the river where sometimes there would be some events or festivals along the Yarra river.
Street view of Fed Square from Flinders street railway station
7. Melbourne's Chinatown
Melbourne's Chinatown is a must and that's why it's here in the top 10 things to do in Melbourne. If you like or love Asian food; Chinese, Thai, Japanese, Korean etc., this is a place you have to come and you will not be disappointed. Not only you can get delicious Asian food & grocery, they're also reasonably cheap. Yumm!!! I'm hungry now!!!
Melbourne's Chinatown is a one long street (like pretty long) with heaps of Asian restaurants along the 2 sides of the street. It's in the middle of Melbourne CBD city center, along the eastern end of little Bourke street. They said it is the longest continuous Chinese settlement in the Western World and one of the oldest Chinatown in the Southern Hemisphere. Pretty impressive!!
Melbourne's Chinatown is a one long street (like pretty long) with heaps of Asian restaurants along the 2 sides of the street. It's in the middle of Melbourne CBD city center, along the eastern end of little Bourke street. They said it is the longest continuous Chinese settlement in the Western World and one of the oldest Chinatown in the Southern Hemisphere. Pretty impressive!!
Hotpot, all you can eat!!
Chinese Dumplings
Traditional Thai food
Sichuan House - Spicy Chinese food
When ever you feel like having Asian food, Melbourne's Chinatown would be the place to go. There are a few restaurants that open till late night or till early in the morning like Ling Nan Restaurant, so a hang over food or if you feel hungry after a night out, it would be one of the best choice in town and definitely way better than souvlaki. Most of the restaurants in Chinatown are mostly packed out and very busy too so that pretty much guarantee how tasty the food would be. Coming to Chinatown in Melbourne makes me realize how popular Asian food is here. My favorite is of course Chinese dumplings. They are so cheap, fast and yummy!!
So there you go, i have to put chinatown in the top 10 things to do in Melbourne. It is a must!!
So here is number 8. in the top 10 things to do in Melbourne, The State Library of Victoria. It's one of the first place I visited while in Melbourne and wow it's a stunning building.
The State Library of Victoria is in the Melbourne city centre, very easy to get to as its on the main street of Swanston street by the tram line. There are free internet, tables and power points everywhere if you need to surf the internet and plenty of books to choose. It opens 7 days a week. There are 7 levels and each level has interesting things to explore. There are galleries and exhibitions. It's good to walk around and have a mini tour in the library.
The front grassy lawn area in front of the State Library of Victoria is one of the most popular lunch-spot for students at RMIT university and workers. It's usually packed during summer as well. Who doesn't want to sit in front of this beautiful building in Melbourne and get the sun and fresh air?!
Pimm's with ginger ale and fruits is one of my favorite drink. It's very refreshing and taste like a beautiful fruity drink that actually has alcohol. Can't get pimm's in Thailand so i won't be able to have this again anytime soon (sad face).
The Vineyard is a pretty cool spot near the beach in St kilda. It gives you the feeling of an outdoor beachy style bar. This place is always full with people everyday especially during summer and a mix of crowd from local people to tourists. Sunday night seems to be the busiest night at the Vineyard.
This bar, 29th Apartment, is pretty interesting and definitely a cool spot. The interior is like an actual apartment with bed, TV, bathtub, book shelf, etc. It gets very busy during weekends. They have quite a unique cocktail lists like the Serial killer cocktail above.
Rooftop bar has a big outdoor cinema screen which they show movies at night during summer and this whole area will change completely to a different setting ready for the movie.
The Calton is so beautiful. It has 4 or 5 levels, inside, outside and rooftop. This place has amazing interior it's like you are in a wild jungle or tropical island, lots of green plates, animal as big as the real size, bamboo hut bar and etc. and yah it's in the city center. Every room, corner and level will surprise you with the beautiful decoration. It's a place where you should definitely check it out.
Make sure you check the best pubs and bars in town when you go to Melbourne as i think Melbourne has it's own unique bars and pubs culture than any other city. Melbourne is also big in after work drinks so people would spend a lot of time at a bar or pub after work.
So there you go the number 9 in the top 10 things to do in Melbourne. Let's continue to the last one of the list.
The last place that i chose for the top 10 things to do in Melbourne is a bit of a way out of Melbourne CBD but it's definitely worth the visit.
Yarra Valley is a wine growing region and it has the reputation of world's great food and wine regions. That's why this is a must visit place when you come to Melbourne. It's only about one hour drive from Melbourne CBD. Australia is very big in making wine and it's the world's fourth largest exporter of wine.
I've been to the Yarra Valley quite a few times and i just fall in love with this beautiful vineyards and wineries view since. Along the way you can see these beautiful vineyards and wineries. Oakridge winery is one of the well know winery and i went there to have a beautiful lunch and wine tasting. The restaurant at the Oakridge is amazingly beautiful as you can see the stunning view of the whole vineyard while enjoying your beautiful meal.
If you love wine, Yarra Valley is the best place to go to while you're in Melbourne. There are so many wineries to go to along the way for a nice wine tasting. The best choice is to go to the Yarra Valley with a tour so you can drink and taste the wine as much as you like. Drink driving is not a good idea and the law is quite strict here in Australia.
I love wine tasting and i think it's very interesting to try different kind of wine but for sure at the end of the day you might get a bit tipsy haha.
Yarra Valley is also a great place if you want to get out of the city and see the beautiful nature for the day.
So there you go, that's the end of the top 10 things to do in Melbourne. I hope you all enjoy my blog and hope it will be a guide for you when you visit Melbourne. They are definitely a lot more things to do in Melbourne but these places you should not miss. Few free to follow me here and follow my instagram: sylviavheeren
My next blog will be out soon so please stay tuned. Please feel free to leave a comment or feedback. Would love to hear from you. See you guys soon. BYE BYE!!!!
So there you go, i have to put chinatown in the top 10 things to do in Melbourne. It is a must!!
8. State Library of Victoria
So here is number 8. in the top 10 things to do in Melbourne, The State Library of Victoria. It's one of the first place I visited while in Melbourne and wow it's a stunning building.
The State Library of Victoria is in the Melbourne city centre, very easy to get to as its on the main street of Swanston street by the tram line. There are free internet, tables and power points everywhere if you need to surf the internet and plenty of books to choose. It opens 7 days a week. There are 7 levels and each level has interesting things to explore. There are galleries and exhibitions. It's good to walk around and have a mini tour in the library.
Grassy Lawn - State Library of Victoria
The front grassy lawn area in front of the State Library of Victoria is one of the most popular lunch-spot for students at RMIT university and workers. It's usually packed during summer as well. Who doesn't want to sit in front of this beautiful building in Melbourne and get the sun and fresh air?!
The Dome
This reading room of the State Library of Victoria, the dome, is amazingly beautiful. It can hold 500 readers and million books. They said this dome is the largest of it's type in the world. You can get to the top of the State Library for a look down of this reading room.
McArthur Gallery
There are few art galleries in the State Library of Victoria that show amazing artworks hanging on the walls such as this room, McArthur Gallery, and don't forget these are all free. There are always stuff going on in the library for you to explore while in Melbourne.
Nice piece of art!!
So that's our number 8 in the top 10 things to do in Melbourne.
9. Melbourne's Bars/Pubs
My next favorite thing to do in Melbourne is going around town and checking out the cool bars and pubs. What is so unique about Melbourne is where ever you go there is a chance to find hidden bars or pubs whether its upstairs, downstairs, around corners, laneways, on the roof top, in the basement, etc. It has surprised me a few times already and it's definitely amazing. The next day of course i won't be able to remember where the place was haha.
Black Pearl bar, my favorite place, it's in Brunswick street. It is a tiny bar that has 2 levels. The 2nd floor is quite a private area. They have amazing interior, very cosy and classy. I must say they have the best cocktails in town. The Rum diary bar is also a nice and cool place. If you like Cider, there is a place called The Cider House. They have different varieties of cider for you to choose. Naked for Satan is also another place that i really like. This place has an amazing interior and when you walk in there is an old vodka still in the center of the room. There is a nice huge rooftop area as well.
My favorite area to go to pubs and bars is in Brunswick street. It's only 15 minutes from the city center and it's quite a popular area for nice bars and pubs in Melbourne. At night you will see people walking along the streets going from one bars to the other. Quite a lively spot.
Black Pearl bar, my favorite place, it's in Brunswick street. It is a tiny bar that has 2 levels. The 2nd floor is quite a private area. They have amazing interior, very cosy and classy. I must say they have the best cocktails in town. The Rum diary bar is also a nice and cool place. If you like Cider, there is a place called The Cider House. They have different varieties of cider for you to choose. Naked for Satan is also another place that i really like. This place has an amazing interior and when you walk in there is an old vodka still in the center of the room. There is a nice huge rooftop area as well.
Veludo bar - St Kilda
Pimm's with ginger ale & heaps of fruits
Pimm's with ginger ale and fruits is one of my favorite drink. It's very refreshing and taste like a beautiful fruity drink that actually has alcohol. Can't get pimm's in Thailand so i won't be able to have this again anytime soon (sad face).
Vineyard - St Kilda
The Vineyard is a pretty cool spot near the beach in St kilda. It gives you the feeling of an outdoor beachy style bar. This place is always full with people everyday especially during summer and a mix of crowd from local people to tourists. Sunday night seems to be the busiest night at the Vineyard.
Chocolate serial killer cocktail - 29th Apartment
29th Apartment - St Kilda
This bar, 29th Apartment, is pretty interesting and definitely a cool spot. The interior is like an actual apartment with bed, TV, bathtub, book shelf, etc. It gets very busy during weekends. They have quite a unique cocktail lists like the Serial killer cocktail above.
Cocktails from Lily Blacks
Pimm's & ginger ale w fruits
Rooftop bar & cinema - Swanston st.
Rooftop bar has a big outdoor cinema screen which they show movies at night during summer and this whole area will change completely to a different setting ready for the movie.
The Calton - Bourke st.
The Calton is so beautiful. It has 4 or 5 levels, inside, outside and rooftop. This place has amazing interior it's like you are in a wild jungle or tropical island, lots of green plates, animal as big as the real size, bamboo hut bar and etc. and yah it's in the city center. Every room, corner and level will surprise you with the beautiful decoration. It's a place where you should definitely check it out.
Make sure you check the best pubs and bars in town when you go to Melbourne as i think Melbourne has it's own unique bars and pubs culture than any other city. Melbourne is also big in after work drinks so people would spend a lot of time at a bar or pub after work.
So there you go the number 9 in the top 10 things to do in Melbourne. Let's continue to the last one of the list.
10. Yarra Valley
The last place that i chose for the top 10 things to do in Melbourne is a bit of a way out of Melbourne CBD but it's definitely worth the visit.
Yarra Valley is a wine growing region and it has the reputation of world's great food and wine regions. That's why this is a must visit place when you come to Melbourne. It's only about one hour drive from Melbourne CBD. Australia is very big in making wine and it's the world's fourth largest exporter of wine.
I've been to the Yarra Valley quite a few times and i just fall in love with this beautiful vineyards and wineries view since. Along the way you can see these beautiful vineyards and wineries. Oakridge winery is one of the well know winery and i went there to have a beautiful lunch and wine tasting. The restaurant at the Oakridge is amazingly beautiful as you can see the stunning view of the whole vineyard while enjoying your beautiful meal.
Oakridge Winery
Lunch at Oakridge and wine tasting
If you love wine, Yarra Valley is the best place to go to while you're in Melbourne. There are so many wineries to go to along the way for a nice wine tasting. The best choice is to go to the Yarra Valley with a tour so you can drink and taste the wine as much as you like. Drink driving is not a good idea and the law is quite strict here in Australia.
I love wine tasting and i think it's very interesting to try different kind of wine but for sure at the end of the day you might get a bit tipsy haha.
Yarra Valley is also a great place if you want to get out of the city and see the beautiful nature for the day.
Chandon Winery
My next blog will be out soon so please stay tuned. Please feel free to leave a comment or feedback. Would love to hear from you. See you guys soon. BYE BYE!!!!
