The Ultimate Guide To Melbourne

There’s a reason Melbourne is one of the most popular cities in Australia; with plenty to keep you occupied, here is our ultimate guide to Melbourne. Full of culture, street art, endless food options and the best coffee; you won’t be disappointed. We had heard so much hype around this city before we arrived, we thought it might end up disappointing us but after now spending a few months in the fabulous place, we are fully wrapped up in the hype! Melbourne has pockets of different hotspots, all popular for different reasons so we have split our guide into the best areas to visit and why.

Take a Look at the Street Art

- Hosier Lane

Melbourne is famous for its street art and Hosier Lane is the most popular spot to head to if you want to check some out. Hosier Lane has an ever-changing array of new pieces that appear often. However, be aware, it gets super busy and it is full of people trying to get the perfect Instagram shot!

- AC/DC Lane

This lane is actually our preferred place to check out the street art over Hosier Lane and is usually much quieter. There are some fab art pieces down here and a great photo op with the ‘Melbourne’ piece.

City Circle Tram

Melbourne’s tram is iconic so a ride on one is a must. Now, any tram within the CBD is actually free so there’s no excuse and they’re also super handy for getting around quickly. However, there is a particular tram that catches visitor’s eyes and that is the City Circle Tram. This tram is the original Melbourne tram, still with its old fashioned style. It helpfully does a circle loop around the CBD, stopping by many of the cities main attractions. In addition, a running commentary can be heard as you pass or stop by any places of architectural, historical or cultural significance. Check here for service times.

State Library

We love a library with an excellent aesthetic and the State Library definitely delivers this. Head inside and upstairs to one of the viewing galleries to check out the gorgeous octagonal central rotunda from above. There is also a fun photo opportunity outside with a statue of the library bursting through the pavement. Additionally, be sure to check out the library shop for some fab trinkets too. This is an easy stop to include whilst wandering around the CBD, be sure to tick it off your Ultimate Guide To Melbourne bucket list!

National Gallery of Victoria

Be sure to check out what exhibitions are on at the NGV during your time in Melbourne. The National Gallery of Victoria holds various international and local art pieces and entrance is free so it’s always worth a visit. In addition, there are regular interesting exhibitions held here too, such as KAWS, which we loved! In fact, the NGV is actually the largest, oldest, and most-visited art museum in the country! Additionally, our ultimate guide to Melbourne would be incomplete without something record-breaking right? Head towards the Great Hall to see the world’s largest stained-glass ceiling, which produces a beautiful kaleidoscope of colours onto the gallery floor.

Scienceworks

Scienceworks is a fantastic, interactive museum where people of all ages can play with science. Immerse yourself in the exhibitions; including a Lightning Room, Melbourne Planetarium and an up-close interaction with the ginormous machines that once kept the city running. Doesn’t witnessing a huge Tesla Coil that can generate over 2 million volts of electricity and produce 3-metre lightning bolts sound cool?!

Federation Square

Fed Square is the hub of many of Melbourne’s best events and is conveniently located right opposite the city’s most famous train station; Flinders Street. There are regular pop up events held here, such as various markets and exhibitions. It is also a fantastic hub for the permanent residents of Melbourne, as the square is situated right by the Yarra River, many bars & restaurants, Scienceworks, Centre Place, and more!

Top tip: Be sure to check out Niska. An ice cream parlour, where your ice cream is scooped and served entirely by robots!

Queen Victoria Market

Queen Vic Market is a must whilst in Melbourne. Whether you’re there for some souvenirs, to try out the fab food or just to browse, it’s worth it. QVM has been operating since 1878 and has become an iconic location in the city, with over 600 small businesses operating within. In addition, head there on Wednesday evenings for the Night Market, where you’ll find live music, global street food and speciality shopping.

Top tip: one of Melbourne's delicacies is delicious hot jam doughnuts and the most popular supplier, American Doughnut Kitchen is located in QVM. Get there early to try to avoid the queue!

Crown Casino Complex

Crown Casino is the largest casino complex in the Southern Hemisphere. Located next to the Yarra River, the complex boasts much more than just a casino. Enjoy luxury shopping, multiple bars and restaurants and a popular nightlife destination. The Atrium area is definitely something to admire, with sound/light shows sometimes present. Outside the complex, pyrotechnic towers can be found shooting fire up into the night sky. Being the largest of their type in the world, we bet you hear them before you see them!

Top Tip: If you're here at Christmas, Crown Casino puts on a great Christmas show. Twelve giant baubles line the huge grand staircase, opening up alternatively to play all of your favourite Christmas Jingles! Don't miss it!

Carlton

Starting off our favourite suburbs, Carlton became a temporary home for us in Melbourne. Consequently, we fell in love with its charm and great location! It's close to Fitzroy and Brunswick and also just a short tram away from the buzzing CBD. Consequently, Carlton makes a great base to enjoy all the things listed in our Ultimate Guide To Melbourne! Driving? This is also a great place for 8hour day parking too!

Little Italy

Located right by the CBD is the Melbourne suburb of Carlton. Carlton has a predominately Italian population and this is made obvious by the copious amounts of pizzerias and gelato shops that line the streets. A walk around Carlton really does make you feel like you’ve stepped through a vortex into Europe. Head here for some fab Italian food and treat yourself to Melbourne’s beloved ice cream shop; Pidapipo. If you don’t make it to Carlton, there’s also a Pidapipo situated on Degraves St.

Melbourne Museum

Visit the natural and cultural history museum of Melbourne, which is also the largest museum in the Southern Hemisphere! Also located right by the lovely Carlton Gardens.

Fitzroy

Brunswick Street

Brunswick Street in Fitzroy is known as the best spot for factory outlet shopping in Melbourne, so head here for some bargains on some of Australia’s best brands.

Eat Vegan

Fitzroy is the vegan capital of Australia, with an abundance of amazing vegan eateries to choose from. Head down Brunswick St and take your pick! We would recommend Vegie Bar, Smith & Daughters and Madame K’s. Also, if you want to buy vegan products that may be difficult to find elsewhere, visit the Cruelty-Free Shop.

Shop

There’s little room for chain stores in Fitzroy, with lots of local quirky boutiques to choose from instead. Find Melbourne’s widest collection of vinyl at Northside Records, a step into Hares and Hyenas will have you in the city’s beloved LGBT book store and there’s vintage galore at stores like Hunter Gatherer and Lost and Found Market.

Lune Croissanterie

The exterior of Lune wouldn’t normally catch anyone’s eye but we bet the queue outside will! Lune is a Melbourne staple with everyone wanting to try what the New York Times called the best croissants on the planet. An essential stop on our ultimate guide to Melbourne, some say they’re better than the ones in France! Pop by and see how impressed you are!

Rose Street Market

Visit Fitzroy during the weekend to find the Rose Street Market and immerse yourself in the arty culture of the area. This market is held for local artists to be able to show their work so you’ll be viewing local crafts and supporting the local artists too.

Brunswick

Stroll Around

Brunswick is a lively suburb of Melbourne, which is inundated with funky shops, amazing eateries, fab bars and live music venues. You’ll also notice some great pieces of street art as you browse the area. Sydney Road is the place to go, whilst Brunswick East provides a more upscale vibe.

Dejour Jeans

There’s one Brunswick shop, in particular, you might want to visit. We all know how difficult it is to find the perfect pair of jeans and Dejour is here to answer all your jeans prayers. The shop doesn’t look like much from outside but inside you will find floor-to-ceiling shelves full of jeans in every shape, size and colour imaginable. All jeans come with on-site alterations so you’ll be sure to leave the store with perfectly fitting jeans. At roughly $60 a pair, including alterations, they are a bargain! Weekends are insanely busy so try to head there on a weekday if possible for a shorter waiting time.

St. Kilda

A suburb which has some of the more unique experiences in this ultimate guide to Melbourne. It's worth spending a day here combined with a trip to Brighton Beach too. Also, free parking is available around the St Kilda Botanical Gardens.

St. Kilda Beach

Now, St. Kilda might underwhelm those expecting the picturesque sight of Bondi Beach. However, this is one of Melbourne’s most popular swimming spots nonetheless. This beach has great vibes, as the tourists and locals alike flock here on sunny days. Additionally, head here on Sunday to catch the market lining the waterfront esplanade.

Luna Park

Luna Park is a historic amusement park, having opened in St. Kilda in 1912. With its historic background, the Scenic Railway situated inside now has the title of the world’s oldest continually operating rollercoaster. Keep in mind that there is a small $5 entry fee, with the rides costing an additional amount. Even if you decide not to head inside, the postcard entrance is worth seeing alone!

Stroll Along Ackland Street

We challenge you to walk down Ackland Street and not be enticed by one of the mouth-watering cakes in the window of the many fab cake shops! Other than delicious cakes, plenty of pubs, outdoor dining and quirky shops can be found along Ackland Street. It is definitely the place to be whilst in St. Kilda!

See the World's Smallest Penguins

St. Kilda has an attraction that you probably wouldn’t expect on our Ultimate Guide To Melbourne, and one that definitely doesn’t disappoint! Every day, just after the sun has set, penguins make an appearance at the end of the pier. If that isn’t enough, they also happen to be the world’s smallest penguins! Guides are situated on the pier to give guidance and answer any questions. It should be noted that no flash photography/videography is permitted. In addition to this greatness, it is also completely free!

South Melbourne

South Melbourne Market

Interestingly, South Melbourne Market has been around since 1867 and has been bustling ever since. The market offers everything from fab food and coffee to unique local crafts that can’t be found elsewhere. If you’re visiting during the summer months, be sure to head there on a Thursday to see the venue transformed into a night market.

Albert Park Grand Prix Circuit

Those who are into cars will probably already know this location but for those who are unaware, the circuit in Albert Park is annually used for the Formula One season-opening Australian Grand Prix. The roars of the cars can be heard throughout the city but for the 9 months of the year that the circuit is not needed for the Grand Prix, the majority of the track can be driven by the public. Another reason to visit is for the black swans, who regularly make an appearance with up to 5 young swans in tow at times!

East Melbourne

Melbourne Cricket Ground

Sport is an important part of the culture in Melbourne and the largest stadium in Australia can be found here. If you’d like to experience Melbourne’s passion for sport here, check out the MCG website for the latest on what events are being held and catch a game of cricket or AFL. The stadium is also home to the Australian Gallery of Sport and Olympic Museum.

Docklands

Melbourne Star

London has the London Eye and Melbourne has the Melbourne Star. As one of the biggest Ferris Wheels in the world, a ride of the Melbourne Star provides you with amazing aerial views of the city, day and night. If you do visit at night, you will also see the wheel illuminated with a colourful display tracing its star shape.

Docklands Public Art Walk

The Docklands is like an open-air gallery, with 25 pieces of art placed around the area. This trail covers a range of themes, including land and sea, past and present, humanity and technology and what it means to be Australian. Download the Harbourside Docklands Art Trail app to see the route and get an explanation of each of the pieces. The whole trail should take approximately an hour to complete and is a great free activity to enjoy on our ultimate guide to Melbourne.

Cruise Down the Yarra River

There are a range of trips available from the Docklands to head down Melbourne’s Yarra River. For a unique vintage experience, take the Melbourne Tramboat, the only one of its kind in the world! If that’s not to your fancy though, there’s plenty of others to choose from.

Find Your Inner Child

There are plenty of fun activities in the Docklands to help you to delve into your inner child. On summer days, O’Brien Icehouse is a fab break from the heat. Head to ArtVo to pose with lots of impressive 3D art or have a game of miniature golf at GlowGolf, who use neon lights and glow-in-the-dark technology. If that’s not enough, Archie Brothers Cirque Electriq provides you with an arcade, complete with a bowling alley, VR rides and bumper cars. If you want some adult vibes, Archie Brothers also have a bar!

Prahran

Checkout Melbourne’s Nightlife

Prahran is the location of Melbourne’s famous Chapel Street. If you’re looking for a good night out, Chapel Street is the place to go to ensure you get it! Bars and clubs line the streets, giving you plenty of options. Jungle Boy is a cool bar, hidden behind an unassuming sandwich shop, through a fridge! We would also recommend Jane Doe, Holy Grail and Yellow Bird Cafe. As for clubs, any Melburnian would have heard of the famous Revolver Upstairs club. Head here if you’re ready to step inside on a Saturday and not re-emerge until Monday! Furthermore, Poof Doof at Chasers is a fantastic LGBT+ club night.

Top tip: Lucky Coq pub is a great place to head to, with $5 pizzas included all day, every day!

Prahran Market

Prahran Market has a huge range of delicious foods available and is a must for any foodies in the area. Expect to find fresh produce piled high, tasty bread and cheeses, a huge selection of deli products, fresh meats and seafood and scrumptious baked goods.

Chadstone

Shop ‘Til You Drop

Chadstone is the home of Chadstone Shopping Centre; the largest shopping centre in the Southern Hemisphere! We had to end on the biggest shopping spree, in this Ultimate Guide To Melbourne! You can find everything you need in here, with more than 500 speciality stores inside. To make travelling to the shopping centre from Melbourne CBD even easier, you can catch the Tourist Shuttle Bus, which is completely free! The bus departs from Federation Square, near the corner of Russell and Flinders Street.

Oakleigh

Immerse Yourself in Greek Culture

The largest Greek population of any city outside of Athens can be found in Melbourne! With this comes a great influence of Greek culture in the city. If you have the time, we would recommend heading out to Oakleigh to really feel like you’ve been whisked away to Greece.

The high street is lined with Greek restaurants, sprawling onto the street with alfresco dining. This area is always buzzing, with the older Greeks catching up over a coffee in the morning, with more family members appearing throughout the day!

We lived here for a while and we don’t think there was ever a time these restaurants weren’t busy! In addition, be sure to check out The Oakleigh Doughnut Co. too, who aptly have a baklava doughnut.

Don't have the time?

If you haven’t got time to head much out of the CBD but still want to experience Melbourne’s fantastic selection of Greek food, head to the Greek Precinct on Lonsdale Street. Many a Grecian delicacy awaits!

All Over the City

Drink Coffee

Melbourne is famous for serving some of the best coffee in the world and it is a huge part of the city's culture, with amazing cafes darted all around. It’s not hard to find an excellent coffee but here are some of the city’s favourite hotspots:

Higher Ground - amazing coffee, served in a stunning location. More upmarket than the average cafe but worth it for something a little extra special.

St. Ali - many cafes boast about serving St. Ali coffee. Simply, this is coffee royalty.

Sensory Lab - like a cellar door for coffee, with the baristas wearing white lab coats. Sensory Lab is a unique coffee experience.

Seven Seeds - Specialising in lighter roasts to suit filter and cold pours, Seven Seeds are coffee veterans.

Industry Beans - the best coffee in Fitzroy, Industry Beans provides much of Melbourne with its coffee and even keeps coffee lovers happy across the globe.

Eat!

Aside from coffee, Melbourne is famous for its endless selection of amazing eateries. There is honestly somewhere to grab simply delicious food around every corner. It wouldn’t be right to visit Melbourne without trying a few of its delicacies. The options are countless, so stay tuned for our Ultimate Guide to Melbourne Food coming soon! Meanwhile, here are a few of our vegetarian-friendly faves:

Trang Bakery & Café – head here for the best Bahn Mi in town! So delicious and reasonably priced. There are plenty of filling options, including many vegan ones too.

Vegie Tribe - CBD

An all-vegan buffet restaurant offering foods from around the world! Perfect for group dinners, when everyone fancies something different. Here you’ll find a changing offering of Italian, Indian, and African offerings as well as desserts and a salad bar too. Choose to pay by weight, all you can eat or select from their al a carte menu. We can’t wait to go back and try their Butter Chicken Burger.

Tahina Bar - Fitzroy / Northcote

A delicious offering of Middle Eastern Cuisine, we enjoyed their ‘Date Night for 2’ tasting platter which was filled with falafel, hummus, salads, roasted veggies and incredible roasted chickpeas! Definitely get the Miso Caramel Malt Smoothie too, it’s a game-changer.

Serotonin Eatery - Burnley
A vegetarian cafe serving up all the serotonin! This cafe wants you to have dessert before your mains because life’s too short. We are so here for it!

Enjoy their Positive pancakes, mindful moussaka and Fungi French Toast. Although being the chocolate addict Sarah is, she thoroughly enjoyed the conscious cookie!

Home Vegan Bar - Docklands
This cafe serves up delicious food whether you’re looking for a sit-down meal or a bite to go. They have lots of delicious bowls, burgers, sandwiches and more. However, the star of the show for us was their range of homemade Almond Mylks & Alkaline Waters. This was definitely a unique and delicious cafe experience!

Madame K’s - Williamstown, CBD & Fitzroy
Madame K’s is a popular vegetarian restaurant for Asian dishes. They have everything from Korean Fried Chicken to Pancake Duck Rolls, Pad Thai and more.

Red Sparrow Pizza - Prahran / Collingwood
“Why aren’t hot dogs always served in pizza dough?!” This was our reaction one bite into our vegan pizza dogs! Honestly, this place is a must on our Ultimate Guide to Melbourne. Don’t miss it!

Sable - Thornbury / Cremorne
Another absolute favourite of ours started as a little hole-in-the-wall bagel and cookie joint. Now, it has a double-front restaurant and bar in Thornbury! (Another great suburb place we will be adding to our Ultimate Guide to Melbourne list soon).

The bagels and cookies alone are enough reason to visit, although we also tried the calamari & lasagne croquettes which did not disappoint.

The Cornish Arms - Brunswick
This pub looks like a typical English pub upon entry, so we loved relishing in our old hometown vibes. Although the addition of the typical Melbourne rooftop makes this a fabulous place to enjoy some drinks with your mates!

They serve up massive ‘snack’ portions which are enough to feed three and have a full menu of pub classics which can be made vegan or non-vegan. Perfect!

Nuttea - Fitzroy / Melbourne Central
Ok, Nuttea is a bubble tea shop which has stores in Melbourne and Adelaide. It gets a little bonus mention here on our ultimate guide to Melbourne because it's entirely vegan and its nut cream is the definition of heaven! Just trust us on this one, you’ll wish you could buy this in pint-sized tubs.

Rooftop Bars

For a city with such unpredictable weather, Melbourne has countless rooftop bars and has become a huge part of the city’s culture. There are fab options available all over Melbourne; here are some of our faves:

Dom's Social & PIzzeria - This newly renovated bar (Formerly Peaches) has a view of the city and delicious stonebaked pizzas! Need we say more...

Naked in the Sky - Featuring sweeping sights all around Fitzroy and to the CBD, this cool rooftop bar may even offer the best views in Melbourne’s north.

Good Heavens - This bar makes you feel like you’ve stepped off the streets of Melbourne and emerged in Palm Springs.

The Local Taphouse - a St. Kilda staple, with one of the best beer lists in town.

Alumbra - a high-class penthouse style bar with a waterfront, Alumbra is now a must destination on Saturday nights and all day Sunday.

Other Nightlife

We mentioned Prahran’s Chapel Street earlier in regards to Melbourne’s nightlife and although it is great, there are also other places you can head to for a good night out. Some of our favourite clubs to check out are:

Miranda Tequila Bar - Melbourne CBD A fabulous basement tequila bar with an impressive 4-hour-long happy hour from 5-9 every Thursday & Friday and the DJ's will have you ripping up the dancefloor to commercial hits and Latin rhythms!

Section 8 - Melbourne CBD A unique club in a car park made from shipping containers. This club has great, unpretentious vibes with the crowd spilling out onto the street.

Ferdydurke - Melbourne CBD - Section 8’s sister venue, this place feels like it was ripped straight outta the grounds of New York. Head here for classic cocktails and house, funk and hip-hop vibes.

New Guernica - Melbourne CBD- Open until 5 am Thursday - Saturday. This is the place to go in the CBD for electronic music.

Lucky Coq - Prahran Great atmosphere, music and cheap drinks, with DJs playing every night. $5 pizzas are also available here!

Talk To Me - South Yarra - the well-known electro duo Peking Duk launched Talk To Me. Be prepared to dance all night as the DJs are always on point.

Events/Festivals

Melbourne is constantly holding different events and festivals so it’s always worth checking out what’s happening in the city whilst you’re there. Head to the Visitor Centre in Fed Square or check online to see what’s on. Some of the most popular events are as follows:

White Night - White Night is an annual event that lights up the city for 3 winter nights, featuring spectacular projection art, mind-boggling installations and unexpected experiences.

Melbourne Music Week - Melbourne Music Week (MMW) an awesome 10-day music event presented by City of Melbourne. It is a fantastic way to get to know some of Melbourne’s best music talent. The event usually includes free entry into loads of the city’s hotspots too!

Midsumma Carnival - An iconic outdoor celebration that has become one of the biggest features in the LGBTIQA+ annual calendar. The carnival opens up the festival that lasts several days and celebrates the city’s diversity.

AFL Grand Final - Melburnians have the AFL on a holy grail, so imagine what the grand final brings with it. It even has its own public holiday! On the day of the game, pubs start filling up as early as 8am! So join in with the antics and get a feel for the city’s love for sport.

Moomba Parade - Moomba Festival is Australia’s biggest free event! Held over 4 days and located down on the Yarra River. There are firework displays, carnivals, food stalls, live music, and ends with the famous Moomba parade down the main

The Great Ocean Road

The infamous Great Ocean Road; something we’re sure you’ve been looking forward to since you stepped foot in Oz! For good reason too, as it really is stunning. You’ll find an array of beautiful beaches, rock formations, great seaside towns and even a National Park along the way! This road really is special and you really feel it once you get to the other side and wonder why you no longer feel like you’re driving along in a movie scene. Our favourite beach, the lesser-known Childers Cove!

Dandenong

Dandenong Market

One of Melbourne’s beloved iconic markets is Dandenong Market, which first opened in 1866. Keep in mind that the market is open every Tuesday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday. There is a vast range of products and food to be found here, with over 150 nationalities coming together under one roof.

Top tip: If the queue was too long and you didn’t manage to grab a hot jam doughnut at Queen Victoria Market, and ex American Doughnut Kitchen employee branched off to create his own hot doughnut company, which is located in Dandenong Market. Have a try at Dandee Doughnuts.

Dandenong Ranges

Combine your visit to the market with a trip to the beautiful Dandenong Ranges. This allows you to escape the city for the day (or longer) and breathe in some fresh air. The Dandenong Ranges have a fabulous mix of quaint shopping villages and a range of stunning hikes. One of the most popular activities to do is to wind through the forests and farmlands on the Puffing Billy steam train. Treat yourself afterwards to some delicious English style scones and tea at the highly-visited Miss Marple’s Tea Room.

Wilson’s Promontory

We took a boat trip in Wilson’s Prom to see the humpback whales up close and it was one of the best things we’ve ever done. In addition, we even managed to see penguins, sea lions and awesome birds too! Our tour was with Wildlife Coast Cruises and we would highly recommend this! Additionally, enjoy an overnight lighthouse stay, visit the world’s southernmost mangroves or take a noisy walk along the actual Squeaky Beach!

Phillip Island

Phillip Island has beautiful pristine beaches and unique wildlife to see and is a very popular day trip from Melbourne. However, what Phillip Island is most famous for is its penguin viewings. You can head to the beach and watch the smallest penguins in the world waddle along during the Penguin Parade.

Mornington Peninsula

Take the opportunity to enjoy some time in the Peninsula Hot Springs; Australia’s first geothermal springs! The Enchanted Adventure Garden also provides lots of fun, with mazes, tube slides, a 3D Spooky Maze, sculpture garden and canopy walks.

Country Victoria

Country Victoria is one of our favourite parts of Australia and definitely our favourite regional area out of all of the states! It is full of historic buildings, including very cute houses. There is also an abundance of fantastic small businesses, including jewellery stores, antiques, clothes and eateries. Country Victoria is also where you will find some of the best pubs in Australia, with that true country feel.

See what our favourite towns in Country Victoria are here.

2 thoughts on “The Ultimate Guide To Melbourne”

abdulkarim abdullah
7 December 2022 at 5:29 am

Thanks for your blog Lots of nice words in this article , nice to read , Do not stop.

Plasterer Mornington
6 September 2023 at 6:05 pm

Wilsons Prom is our teams fav!