10 things I loved about Melbourne!
Melbourne – voted equal 1st most liveable city in 2004! How could I write a blog and give this amazing city justice? I’ve tried to use my travel experiences and compile a user friendly guide to assist you on your travels! So here goes…..
Melbourne: Australia
1. Shopping
Melbourne caters for all budgets! Listed below were my favourite places to shop and a brief description.
DFO Spencer Street
- Warehouses, you’ll pick up lots of bargains here.
Bridge Road
- Warehouses.
City Centre
- There are many shops all round the city. They range from Department Stores to Designer Boutiques.
Chapel Street
- You’ll find normal high street shops as well as designer boutiques here.
Chadstone “The fashion capital”
- Largest shopping centre in the Southern Hemisphere. Definitely a day trip, and best to leave the men at home!
*** Hot Tip: Thursday and Friday nights are late night shopping. Most shopping centre and city shops close at 9pm. They are all open on weekends.
2. Food and wine culture
This market is in the city centre and sells anything from fresh meat and vegetables to clothes and souvenirs. You are bound to find a bargain there! If you go just before trading is going to close, fruit and vegetables are usually sold at $1 a kilo and you will have no problem hearing the bargain prices. Market stall sellers compete with each other to sell stock and continue to reduce their prices throughout the afternoon.
*** Hot Tip: The Market is closed on Mondays and Wednesdays, click on link for other opening times.
Lygon Street
If you’re looking for a great pizza this is the place to head to! This street is lined with Italian restaurants all competing for your business. You can pick up a delicious meal with drinks for under $20.
*** Hot tip: Tell waiters on the street that you have already eaten and they will leave you alone. Otherwise, if you’re game try and bargain with them and get them to include a free bottle of wine for your table!
http://melbourne.citysearch.com.au/E/V/MELBO/0065/93/91/
China Town (Little Bourke Street)
Chinese food appears very popular in Melbourne. This street has a similar set up to Lygon Street, just with a different cuisine. Head down here around lunchtime for ‘Yum Cha’. The waiters push trolleys round the restaurant with various Chinese delicacies. As they go past, you choose your dishes off the trolley. This is great for taking impatient, hungry people to!!
There are many other dining precincts in Melbourne. Click the link below to find out more information.
http://www.melbournerestaurants.com.au/
3. People
The people in Melbourne were very friendly and welcoming! I was standing on the corner of Flinders and Elizabeth Street with my map out and someone stopped and asked me if they could help me. They showed me where we were on the map, then proceeded to offer to walk me to the nearest tourist information centre. I offered them a tip, but they refused. Just shows how much they are willing to help you and how proud they are of their city!
4. Public Transport
The best way to get round the city is by tram. If you purchase an all day ticket you can travel up until midnight on any tram, train or bus in Melbourne. These are about $5 so definitely good value. The City Circle tram is a free tram for tourists that does a loop of the city. You can hop on and off as you please, and it also gives a running commentary. A full loop will take you about an hour, a great way to start your trip to Melbourne to get yourself orientated.
I found Melbourne’s public transport system very user friendly, and if you ever need directions or assistance, just ask one of the locals – they are always happy to help!
*** Hot Tip: Ticket machines on the trams are coin operated only. Carry plenty of coins around, or alternatively purchase your tickets prior to your journey.
http://www.metlinkmelbourne.com.au/
5. Passion for sport
AFL Season
This is from March to September consisting of eight games per round. Highly recommend going to a Friday night game at the MCG and buying a “hot pie and a cold drink” off the aisle walkers, along with a record on your way into the ground. This will come in handy as it lists all the payers and general rules!
Throughout the year you can do tours of the MCG. The link below will connect you with the information. Please note that tours do not operate on game days.
Grand Prix
On the long weekend in March the Grand Prix is held around the scenic Albert Park Lake. Tickets need to be purchased in advance, and are usually quite expensive. If you are in Melbourne any other time of year, you can drive around the track (at regular speed limits of course!).
Australian Open
For two weeks in January this city becomes tennis obsessed! Tickets can be purchased in advance through ticketing agencies or at the gates. If you go in the first few days, purchase a ground pass for about $25 (approx. £10) and you will no doubt see some of the seeded players in a match.
*** Hot tip: Purchase your ground pass at a ticket agency or on the internet to avoid the queues.
Spring Racing Carnival
In late October/early November there are numerous race meetings at the famous courses in Melbourne. The biggest meeting is Melbourne Cup Day, held on the first Tuesday in November. This is a public holiday in Melbourne and usually attracts around 100,000 people. If you are going, do take the effort to dress up as the Fashions on the Field competition is almost as important as which horse wins the cup. The following Saturday there is a family race day at Flemington, so take the kids along to that, as other race days have many alcohol influenced adults!
*** Hot tip: Pack a picnic and some non-alcoholic beverages. Prices of food and drinks are very expensive at the races and the queues are long. Get there early and find a spot on the grass!
www.springracingcarnival.com.au
Boxing Day Test
Every year on Boxing Day the Australian cricketers commence their five day test against their visitors. The cricket is always great to watch, however the crowd sitting in Bay 13 become the entertainment. During the match the Mexican wave goes round the ground numerous times, with the members’ section being “booed” each time. Beach balls are tossed up in the air, trying to avoid the security guard with the sharp utensil to burst it. Worth a visit even if cricket isn’t your sport!
*** Hot tip: Accommodation prices increase during these special event periods and hotels are often fully booked (sometimes up to a year in advance). Book early and don’t be afraid to stay slightly out of the city.
6. Weather
In Melbourne you do get the four seasons. The summer months are December – February and temperatures get very high. I strongly recommend you “Slip, slop, slap” as the Aussies call it. Slip on a shirt, slop on some sunscreen and slap on a hat!
The Aussies are very sun smart and encourage their tourists to be as well! Winter months would be bearable for the English as temperatures get down to about a minimum of 10 degrees. Still quite pleasant!
http://www.abc.net.au/melbourne/weather/
7. Nightlife & 8. Art Culture
You’ll never be stuck for things to do at night in Melbourne! There is always theatre, music festivals, films, and comedy shows to go to. Melbournians love their arts and theatre culture, as it is diverse and caters for all interests. Tickets are usually affordable, but sometimes difficult to get as shows are often sold out. They also have a theatre restaurant called Draculas which is great fun.
There are also many art exhibitions on at the Arts Centre. See attached for program.
http://www.theartscentre.net.au/
http://www.draculas.com.au/melbourne_victoria/index.asp
http://www.mtc.com.au/ – Melbourne Theatre Company
9. Day Trips
If you have a hire car, you can go for a drive down the Great Ocean Road to see the twelve apostles. Please note that there are not twelve left there anymore, so don’t keep driving to find the twelfth one. Might be best to ask one of the locals for an exact figure. There are many small surf towns along the way where you can stop for fish and chips and a beer. If you have time it is nice to stay overnight and enjoy the scenery.
http://www.greatoceanroad.org/
Yarra Valley
Under an hours drive you will arrive at the famous wine region the Yarra Valley. Here there are numerous vineyards including Chandon and Chateau Yerring. Most places have complementary tastings, so if you do enjoy wine it is recommended to choose one of the bus companies that do daily trips there. Most of the large bus companies run these for affordable prices.
http://www.visityarravalley.com.au/
10. Attractions
There are attractions to please every visitor to Melbourne. They cater for couples, families, groups and older people. There are so many to talk about, so I’ve just listed my favourites.
Ø Melbourne Zoo
Ø Aquarium
Ø Fairy Penguins
Ø CUB Brewery
Ø Melbourne Museum
Ø Werribee Open Range Zoo
Ø St Kilda Markets
Ø Luna Park
Ø Royal Botanic Gardens
http://www.melbourneaustralia.com.au/
So if you are heading down under, do take the time to pop into Melbourne. It will live up to your great expectations!
Kristy H
