Around Melbourne

Travelling to Melbourne

Travel to Melbourne couldn’t be easier, the city is a major hub for domestic and overseas air travel and is also well serviced by rail, bus and even shipping connections. However you travel and wherever you’re from, the city is within easy reach.

With 429 scheduled international arrivals and departures from Melbourne each week you’ll find Melbourne closer and easier to travel to than you thought.

Melbourne Airport hosts car and mobile phone rental, high speed wireless internet, shopping and restaurants. It is a comfortable, modern and fully equipped arrival point. From the moment you step off the plane, you’ll feel welcome in Melbourne.

Melbourne is an integral part of the Asia Pacific region and a convenient gateway to its markets; being just 8 hours flying time from Singapore, 10 hours from Tokyo and only 14 hours from Los Angeles. Melbourne operates in Tokyo’s time zone and overlaps with trading hours from the Middle East, across Asia and through most of the United States.

Out and about

Melbourne’s suburban train system is entirely radial, comprising of 14 lines that meet at Flinders Street Station in the city centre. The city is also served by an underground rail loop comprising of four stations. Flinders Street Station is the major central station in which all suburban trains will enter. A very popular meeting place is under the famous clocks on flinders Street Station steps. If you are catching a train or bus from outside Melbourne, no doubt you will arrive at Southern Cross Station, Melbourne’s latest architectural achievement. From here you can board a metropolitan train or tram to complete your journey. Southern Cross Station is located on Spencer Street and is a stones throw to the Telstra Dome, the Docklands development and the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre. You can walk down Bourke Street to the heart of town or an inexpensive cab ride can take you to your inner city accommodation. Southern Cross Station is designed to be an efficient, cutting edge and fitting introduction to our modern metropolis that is Melbourne. Ticket and fare information can be obtained from station staff or look at: www.metlinkmelbourne.com.au.

Once you have settled into your accommodation and you would like to get a taste of Melbourne, your first stop should be the Visitor Centre at Federation Sqaure. The Melbourne Visitor Centre has a vast array of information about Melbourne from current events and the finest things to see in Melbourne and greater Victoria. The Melbourne Visitor Centre can offer itinerary planning to suit your schedule and if tourist sites are not your thing, the helpful staff can give you an insight into local lifestyle and culture.

The most comprehensive way to see Melbourne is by foot. Melbourne is planned out on a grid principle therefore it is easy to navigate. Most of the major museums, shops and entertainment areas are in walking distance from one another.

Melbourne is famed for being a cultural capital. There is evidence of a rich culture at every turn. Architectural icons such as Federation Square and the Manchester Unity Building shelter coffee shops and bars tucked away in little laneways. Restaurants spill onto footpaths overlooking street festivals and our legendary buskers. The smell of sophisticated cuisine is in the air. Melbourne’s significant multicultural inhabitants and offerings make for a very unique and enriching walk about town.

Let us entertain you

The Southbank Entertainment Precinct features Crown Casino and Southgate. Set on the banks of the Yarra River, Southbank overlooks Flinders Street Station and from the city slowly makes its way towards Docklands. Southgate is the entrance to the Arts Precinct and is adjacent to the Melbourne Arts Centre. Southgate includes a select few boutique shops and restaurants. The Crown Casino complex boasts designer stores, the Crown Casino, nightclubs, restaurants, cinemas and entertainment events. A person can be lost for days. The Melbourne Exhibition and Convention Centre (aka Jeff’s Shed) is next along the river and plays host to the ACEC2010: Digital Diversity conference. A leisurely walk along Southbank can fill a morning and possibly entice you into a full day of entertainment.

Located in the fashionable bayside suburb of St Kilda, the historic Luna Park perches stridently upon the beach. As a Melbourne institution, a visit to Luna Park is a must when you visit. Just a short tram ride from the city, St Kilda also boasts a very happening fringe culture that fits nicely with the new fashionable set of the suburb. There is so much to do in St Kilda on any day but Sunday seems to be the day where everyone makes a move on in. The Sunday Market attracts a curious crowd exploring local crafts while a relaxed few fill the outdoor bars and cafes. The active can always be seen rollerblading, bike riding and swimming their way around St Kilda. St Kilda is just as dazzling at night as it is during the day, with it’s world famous restaurants such as The Stokehouse and Donovans and the die hard pub culture of the famous Esplanade Hotel and The Prince of Wales Hotel as they typically showcase quality bands. Take the 96 St Kilda, East Brunswick Tram from Bourke Street or the 016 Kew, St Kilda, Melbourne Uni Tram from Swanston Street.

That's educational

Zoos Victoria comprises the Werribee Open Range Zoo, Melbourne Zoo and Healesville Sanctuary. Melbourne Zoo is Australia’s oldest zoo that prides itself on a large and varied representation of the world’s animal species within a series of habitat zones. The Melbourne Zoo is set in 55 acres of botanic garden settings just 4km from the centre of Melbourne. Participate in an educational discovery program and enjoy a picnic amongst the stirring sounds of the animals. Take the 55 tram from William Street. If a day trip is in order take a journey out to Healesville Sanctuary, Australia’s premier wildlife park at the foot of the Yarra Ranges or experience the plains of Africa on a safari at the Werribee Open Range Zoo. For more information visit www.zoo.org.au.

Scienceworks and Melbourne Planetarium is an active and educational day out for both the young and young at heart. Set in the historic Spotswood Pumping Station, Scienceworks incorporates hands on exhibits, live demonstrations, tours, activities and live shows that educate, stimulate and inspire. The mysteries of science are illustrated in a fun and interactive environment. The Lightning Room and the Melbourne Planetarium are a must as dazzling special effects and shows are informative and entertaining. Sportworks is also featured at Scienceworks where you can discover your body’s talents through ‘body in’ experiences, be a wheelchair athlete, an AFL footballer or an extreme skateboarder. Take the trip across the Westgate Bridge and experience this exceptional museum. For more information visit www.scienceworks.museum.vic.gov.auwww.scienceworks.museum.vic.gov.au

Visiting the Melbourne Museum is an action packed event. Located within the Carlton Gardens next to the historic Royal Exhibition Building, this innovative and award winning example of architecture contains an enormous range touring and permanent exhibitions, lively performances, events and educational programs for everyone. The famous Phar Lap resides here, as does a curious collection of dinosaur bones, birds and creepy crawlies. Diversity is apparent as you can stroll through a rain forest and walk onto the Neighbours TV set all in one day. Visit to Bunjilaka and experience the cultural heritage of Australia’s indigenous people. Cafes, gift shop, IMAX theatre and undercover parking are just some of the other features of this most exceptional day trip. Take the 96 East Brunswick tram or 86 RMIT Bundoora tram from Swanston Street from Bourke Street.

The Melbourne Aquarium is situated on the banks of the Yarra River just opposite the Southbank Precinct. Witness an underwater zoo and be informed about the world’s astonishing aquatic life and ecosystems. You can participate in a group tour or an educational program offered throughout the week featuring expert guides and touring exhibitions. See diving with the sharks and speak with the diver about this unique experience. During your visit relax and have a bite to eat on the deck overlooking the river and life of city. The Melbourne Aquarium is an exclusive and interactive experience. So central to Melbourne you can explore the surrounding sites, maybe pop across the road to the Immigration Museum afterwards. Take the city circle tram or the 48 New Quay Docklands tram from Flinders Street.

Culture vulture

Stories are bought to life of people from all over the world who have migrated to Australia in the Old Customs House on Flinders Street. The Immigration Museum explores the lives and times of those people who left their homeland to live in Victoria from the 1800s through to the present day. The moving journeys of family and culture inhabit the vaults of this exquisitely restored 19th century building. The Immigration Museum runs workshops and presentations throughout the year including tracing your family history, ship reunions and a literary series. The museum encourages the pursuit of personal and general history research thus you can take your own journey of discovery. For more information visit www.immigration.museum.vic.gov.au.

Noted for their opulence and glamour the foremost theatres of Melbourne truly embody the escapism of days gone by. The Regent Theatre, Princes Theatre and Forum Theatre are landmark buildings dating back over 100 years. The restoration efforts over the years have preserved and enhanced the magnificent facades and rich interiors. The Princess Theatre is famous for shows such as Phantom of the Opera, Les Miserable and Cats. The Forum Theatre is an exciting venue for live acts from international rock bands to stand up comics, variety shows, screenings and special events, and over the years the Regent Theatre has been host to an array of productions. Spotted throughout central Melbourne you can simply walk pass and enjoy the architecture or pop into the foyer and if anything takes your fancy, have an evening out and experience live a show. Throughout every year these notable theatres showcase such a variety of shows that people from all walks of life will have something see. For more information visit www.marrinertheatres.com.au

Melbourne’s progressive thinking in all things design and culture is reflected in the much talked about architecture of Federation Square. Located directly opposite historic Flinders Street Station and St Paul’s Cathedral, this cultural heartland is home to an abundance of venues including the Australian Centre for the Moving Image (ACMI). Sitting outside in the square you can be entertained by the cultural offerings that regularly take place. From a live concert to a live broadcast of the soccer, Federation square has attracted a capacity of 12,000 for such festivities. The Ian Potter Centre: NGV Australia is the home of Australian art with fine collections of indigenous and non-indigenous art. The Ian Potter Centre has more Australian art on permanent display than any other gallery in the world. Federation Square is a very interesting place to gain a new perspective of the city especially through the glass matrix, a beautifully engineered glass atrium that often holds the Food and Wine Festival. Sit and relax in the celebrated restaurants and cafés that line the square and overlook the river.

The NGV International at 180 St Kilda Road is Melbourne’s home to a world of international art. The NGV has breathtaking collections of European, Asian, Oceanic and American art, from ancient artefacts to contemporary fashion. Since the iconic building opened in 1968 the collection has grown to more than 70,000 works of art. Just recently the gallery interior has been redesigned to accommodate its very impressive collection and proudly holds anticipated annual shows of many great masters of art from around the world. Attached to the NGV is a comprehensive bookshop covering all of your art and design needs. A licensed restaurant and cafe can also be enjoyed while you ponder the meaning of the art. The NGV is closed Tuesdays. For more information visit www.ngv.vic.gov.au.

Foodie

One of the most legendary food precincts of Melbourne is Lygon Street where its origins are from the early immigration of Italian migrants to Melbourne, making Carlton the social hub. Lygon Street owes its popularity to the experience of Italian dining and the university students who frequent the area, making it a bustling social scene. Lygon Street prides itself on having the largest selection of Italian restaurants and cafes in one area of anywhere in Australia and it was the first suburb in Melbourne to encourage sidewalk dining. A leisurely walk from the city to Lygon Street and you can take a seat in one of the terraces that line the street such as the University Cafe or Tiamo’s and indulge in an authentic Italian pasta or pizza.

Chinese immigration became significant from 1851 when gold was discovered in Victoria. Throughout the gold rush the needs of a growing Chinese community has been provided for in precinct of Little Burke Street. Today Chinatown extends along Little Burke Street between Swanston Street and Spring Street but the cabinet makers are long gone. Taking their place are renowned restaurants and Asian inspired shops that Melbourne locals make the perfect destination for Yum Cha on a Sunday afternoon. Cheap eating houses featuring traditional Chinese cuisine and entertainment are famous in Melbourne for the beginning of a night out and you can usually find the karaoke rooms full after 12am with revellers of all sorts. Chinatown has retained its historical character, throughout the year holding traditional festivals and activities that make this street one of the very important social and economical centres for the Chinese community.

Overlooking the Yarra River and the grandeur of historical Flinders Street Station is Southgate a well loved and much visited part of the arts and leisure precinct featuring dining, shopping and entertainment. A day tripper can be tempted by the array of food on offer in the food court or many cheap eat restaurants and cafes, while the serious diner can select from 19 restaurants. Southgate is very proud to say that it has received more ‘chef hats’ awards than any other precinct in Melbourne. Award winning restaurants such as Red Emperor, mecca, Pure South and Scusami Ristorante have all been recognised in The Age Good Food Guide. Southgate is definitely an effortless and pleasurable experience with so much on offer.

Greece is the word. Melbourne has the largest Greek population outside Greece and this is apparent in the number of Greek restaurants and shops in inner city Melbourne. Most famous for the Greek way of life is one block in the city between Swanston and Russell Street on Lonsdale Street. If there is ever a celebration or Greek festival you can be sure you will not find your way from one side to the other in a hurry as the Greek population converge in festivity. On a Saturday night at 3am you can be sure to find the Melbourne locals lined up outside Stalactites restaurant for a souvlaki and regularly seated on the footpath enjoying Greek coffee and pastries.

Hot spots

Amongst the grand architecture and contemporary culture lies an extensive network of parks and open spaces. Melbourne embraces it’s parks giving the populace a great range of city landscapes to benefit from and contributing to the Melbourne’s title as one of the world’s ‘most liveable cities’. Classic Victorian gardens such as The Royal Botanical Gardens and Fitzroy Gardens featuring grandiose tree boulevards and conservatories to dramatic contemporary sculptured terraces such as Federation Square’s Birrarung Marr are all accessible to anyone who would like a leisurely stroll or picnic in an open space.

Melbourne’s inner city laneways are notorious for their charm, eccentricity and intimate bars and restaurants. These blue stone paved laneways, originally the seedy back streets of the city, now present an edgy and chic culture of fashion, design and art. Contemporary art including graffiti and installation art fills the walls of buildings once stained with the dust of the city. Creative boutiques offer up Melbourne’s hippest designers and cosy coffee houses spill into the laneways reminiscent of a walk through the streets of Rome. Hardware Lane, Meyers Place and any of the laneways off Flinders Lane are a great outdoor experience. You will find that even some elements of shopping centres such as QV and GPO are imitating the laneway culture. Dine alfresco after a spot of shopping and enjoy the inventive and inspiring local culture that is Melbourne.

If you make your way across the Westgate Bridge to Scienceworks, go west and have a coffee in Yarraville a suburb with a quaint village impression. With its narrow streets and standout examples of Edwardian and Victorian architecture, Yarraville has a unique charm that attracts an individual and diverse brand of locals. The Sun Theatre with its bookshop and cafe has been restored to original art deco splendor. The cinema draws film goers from all over Melbourne with its large comfortable seats and intimate cinemas. The atmosphere of Yarraville is one of creativity and culture, comedy and community. It is rare to come across such a place so jump on a train or incorporate it into your visit to the west. On public transport take the Williamstown or Werribee line train to Yarraville station.

Melbourne’s local beaches are in close proximity to the city. All presenting diverse landscapes and activities. The sleepy town feel of Williamstown beach to the cosmopolitan vibe of Port Melbourne Beach and the exclusive bayside neighbourhood of Brighton are all complete with fabulous city views, not to mention great water activities on offer. During the winter months take a refreshing walk along the St Kilda Marina or an invigorating walk along Elwood Beach with its backdrop of native coastal vegetation. A drive out to Sandringham beach on a winter’s Sunday afternoon is not complete without a coffee or a glass of wine at one of the many cosy bars that line the esplanade.