Melbourne offers something for everyone – funky neighborhoods, trendy bars, cool street art, and great architecture. And if you’re an outdoor enthusiast, amazing natural scenery is just outside the city.
Here are the best places to visit when you travel to Melbourne.
Fitzroy
Fitzroy, popularly known as Fitzy, is an artistic part of the city known for its terraced houses, street art, and many galleries. It is also packed with cool restaurants and bars, which makes it very popular among students, artists, and young professionals.
Fitzy is for everyone who enjoys food & drink (Gertrude Street), but also for those fond of good shopping and a great night scene (Brunswick Street). If you decide to visit this trendy neighborhood, take the Fitzroy Street Art Tour to see the best street art in the city and learn about the artists.
Getting to Fitzroy takes about 20 minutes from the Flinders Street Station by train or about 40 minutes on foot.
Federation Square
Located in the central business district, Fed Square is the focal point of inner city, Melbourne’s cultural and entertainment activities. It is a home of a great number of bars and restaurants, as well as various events throughout the year.
Fed Square is only a minute away from Flinders Street station if you’re on foot. You can also take a train at the Southern Cross station and get there in about 8 minutes. If you decide to spend the day at Federation Square, visit the Ian Potter Centre to take a look at the best Australian art, as well as the Australian Centre for the Moving Image.
Flinders Street Station
Located in Melbourne’s central business district, the iconic Flinders Street Station is popular among locals and tourists alike. Famous for its distinctive look, this railway station is a great spot for history lovers who can take a tour and learn about the building’s past. You can also take a train and go sightseeing outside the metropolitan area.
Yarra Valley
Known for its quality wine, the Yarra Valley is among the most popular places to visit in close proximity to Melbourne. You can visit the vast vineyards and the numerous wine cellars, taste the best local wines and delicious food, enjoy breathtaking sights in a hot air balloon, and more!
The drive from Melbourne to Yarra Valley takes a little more than an hour. So you can enjoy the wine on the tour, take a bus tour from Melbourne. Café Bus Winery Tours are a great option since you’ll get to experience a variety of local produce such as wine, coffee, chocolate, cheese, strawberries and much more.
Great Ocean Road
If you’re a fan of breathtaking sites, take a drive along the Great Ocean Road. Located between Allansford and Torquay, this 243km-long road is famous for the amazing natural scenery, with one of the most famous sites being the 12 Apostles. The road also passes by some of the most attractive surfing locations and through several beautiful towns.
The drive from Melbourne to the Great Ocean Road’s start takes about 1 hour 25 minutes. If you decide to go on a tour along the Great Ocean Road, make sure to get your camera out for Apollo Bay, go koala spotting, or experience a zipline adventure.
Phillip Island
Another great spot for nature-lovers is Phillip Island. This Island is famous for its wildlife, especially the fairy penguins and fur seals. You can also go to the former Grand Prix track for motorcycle and car racing.
You can get to Phillip Island by car in about two hours or join an organized tour from Melbourne.
St. Kilda
Once a fashionable area for wealthy settlers, St. Kilda today is a cool beachside suburb popular among fitness lovers, families, and backpackers. If you’re looking to spend a relaxed day near the bay, this is the place for you. You can enjoy the bars and restaurants on Carlisle or Acland street, go to a music festival, take your little ones to Luna Park, visit the baths, or simply relax on the beach and watch the beautiful sunsets.
You can get to St. Kilda by tram or train from the Flinders Street station or the Southern Cross station in about half an hour.
Image: Docklands fronts of Melbourne from Scottt13/Shutterstock