Melbourne is one of the worlds greatest cities and is a must for anyone visiting Australia. The problem for many visitors is how to make the most of what may only be a short stay as part of a bigger trip to the country. On. this trip we had two full days to try and get to grips with what is a big city. Our decision was to concentrate on the Central Business District and leave areas such as Fitzroy, Collingwood and St Kilda to another visit, (yes we do hope to be back soon).
Day 1
Breakfast. Coffee is like a religion in Melbourne and the expectation is that every cup will be excellent, bad coffee is not an option. As a result coffee shops try to serve top quality every time. Hash Speciality Coffee at 113 Hardware Street not only serves superb coffee but the breakfasts are somewhat special also. Try the Granola, you won’t be disappointed.
Take the Melbourne Sights free walking tour from I’m Free Walking tours. The tour starts at 10.30 everyday from the steps at the front of the State Library of Victoria. The tour lasts three hours and you tip the guide what you think the tour is worth. It’s a gentle walk with a local guide who is engaging and informative. The tour includes Melbourne Gaol, laneways and arcades, Federation square and finishes on the south bank of the river with superb views of the Melbourne skyline.
From the Southbank its just a short walk back to Degraves Street or Centre Place where you will find numerous and inexpensive options for lunch. Its a busy and bustling places and a great place to people watch as you relax over a cold beer.
For the afternoon head back to Federation Square for a quick look around before going to the Ian Potter Gallery at the National Gallery of Victoria. Here you will find some excellent examples of indigenous art and it is an excellent place to spend a couple of hours.
From the gallery head out to Birrarung Marr. A newly created park on the northern bank of the Yarra River.close to Federation Square. The park is designed over three terraces all of which are linked by an inclined bridge. The park acts as a focal point and supports events such as the Australian Open. The lower level by the river provides for an relaxing stroll and an opportunity to see life on Melbournes famous river.
If you still have the stamina for more sights head back to the Victoria State Library. You can catch a tram as all trams in the designated area of the CBD are free. I’m Free Walking Tours offer a further tour at 6pm every day in the summer months (3pm in the winter). The Culture Capital Tour lasts 90 minutes examines Melbourne’s hidden laneways and culture. Expect to see some very fine street art, learn about coffee culture and discover some out of the way, hidden bars. The tour finishes at AC/DC Lane.
This just gives time for a quick pre dinner drink at the Garden State Hotel (101 Flinders Lane) before heading off to Chin Chin (125 Flinders Lane) for dinner. Chin Chin has become a Melbourne institution and it is always busy. We joined the line outside and were found a table inside 15 minutes. The cuisine is Australian/Thai fusion and the cooking and service are superb. Not necessarily the cheapest but worth every penny. I can’t recommend it enough.
Day 2
With a hotel close by on Little La Trobe Street it was always going to be an easy call to go back to Hardware Street and this time breakfast at the very popular Hardware Society. One of the best breakfasts I have ever had and the coffee was superb, I enjoyed it so much I had to have another!
Having started two walking tours outside its doors today is time to pay a visit inside the State Library of Victoria. This really is an amazing space and is so much more than what most people perceive a library to be. You can see the bushranger Ned Kelly’s suit of armour in the Victoria Gallery but it is the La Trobe reading room which is the jewel in the crown. With its fantastic domed roof and galleries it is a must do in my opinion.
Head on down to the river or catch a tram and make your way across to the Royal Botanic Gardens on the south bank. An oasis of calm and tranquility in a busy city. A fine place to spend an hour, even if you just lie on the grass and look up up at the blue sky.
For the afternoon we joined the Street Art Walking Tour. The tour Starts at 1.30 each day from outside the Museum of the Moving Image on Flinders Street and lasts around three hours visiting places such as Hozier Lane, AC/DC Lane, Duckboard Place and Union Lane. Tours are led by a street artist to give you a personal perspective of the art on view. Melbourne is famous for its street art and this tour lets you see its best up close.
If craft beer or whiskey is your thing then there is no better place than the Boiler Maker House at 209-211 Lonsdale Street. With over 500 whiskeys on offer and some great craft beers its an excellent choice to start the evening. Bar staff are knowledgeable and will help you to choose. The beers were so good I had two or possibly three!
For dinner head to Little Bourke Street where you have three excellent choices all close together. The choices are unapologetically Italian. Tipo 00 (361 Little Bourke Street) is always busy and can be difficult to get a table but is well worth trying. If it proves to be difficult just try its sister restaurant Ostreia Ilaria (367 Little Bourke Street). We had some rather fine octopus here and the deserts were fab. Across the street is +39 Pizzeria where you will find some rather fine traditional thin crust pizzas with the most generous toppings.