If you're coming to Australia you have to visit Melbourne as it's one of the major cities on the East Coast. It has a very European, cosmopolitan feel and it's where all the culture is!
There is loads of stuff to do in Melbourne and it's really tourist friendly. There is a free city circle tram and bus service, both with commentary which takes you to the main sites of the city. A visit to th...
moreIf you're coming to Australia you have to visit Melbourne as it's one of the major cities on the East Coast. It has a very European, cosmopolitan feel and it's where all the culture is!
There is loads of stuff to do in Melbourne and it's really tourist friendly. There is a free city circle tram and bus service, both with commentary which takes you to the main sites of the city. A visit to th...
moreIf you're coming to Australia you have to visit Melbourne as it's one of the major cities on the East Coast. It has a very European, cosmopolitan feel and it's where all the culture is!
There is loads of stuff to do in Melbourne and it's really tourist friendly. There is a free city circle tram and bus service, both with commentary which takes you to the main sites of the city. A visit to the immigration museum ($5 entry) is a must, as it gives a real insight into why Australia is like it is today. Have a coffee in Federation Square and at dusk take a visit up the Melbourne Observation Deck for 360 degree views of the city. ($25 entry)
The Victorian markets are great for food shopping and picking up bargains and souveneirs. And of course Melbourne is the home of AFL. Victoria is where it all begain and no visit to Melbourne is complete without watching an AFL match at the MCG or as Melbournians call it 'the G' ($20 general admission)
Melbourne has the largest concentration of bars, restaurants and cafes in Australia so you are never stuck for somewhere to eat or drink. Lygon street is a great place for Italian pizza and pasta ($10-$20 for a main) and Brunswick Street is great for Spanish or a Greek Souvlaki! The best deal for a pizza though is Bimbos on Brunswick Street with their evening special of any pizza for $4!!!! Also The Rochester pub on Johnston Street, just off Brunswick Street has 'Beat the Clock' meals. Everything on the meanu is $6 between 6pm-7pm, $7 between 7pm & 8pm and $8 between 8pm - 9pm!!
There are so many cool bars I have no idea where to start! Section 8, just off Lonsdale & Swanston Streets, is great in the summer as it's completely outside and made up of beer crates ($6 beer) Cookie in Curtain House on Swantson Street is the place for afterwork drinks ($8 beers) and on a Friday a visit to Icon between 5pm-7pm is rewarded with free beer!! Not the nicest place in the world, but fun with a big bunch of people - you can dance on the bar!
The real party atmosphere at the weekends is in St Kilda and is the Backpacker hangout! The bar to go to is the Elephant & Wheelbarrow - they have live bands and a dance floor and is always packed. In the city you can try St Jeromes hidden in a alley behind Swanston Street, off Lonsdale Street. It's the tinyest place in the world until you go outside and it's rammed on a Saturday night. Outside is actually the area between two buildings, with heaters for the winter. The music is funky house and it really kicks off ($7 beer) Another good place on a Friday is the European Beer Cafe on Exhibition Street with live bands upstairs ($7 beer)
To vist all the bars in Melbourne it would take 7 years if you went to a different one every night!!! You're really spoilt for choice! The best thing about Melbourne is that everything is hidden and you go on a journey of discovery! All the best places (and nearly almost everything) is hidden down a dark, dingy alleyway and if you haven't been there already or you're not with someone who's been before you'll be searching a long time before you find it!
Melbourne is by far my favourite place in Australia and is a much more liveable place than Sydney. It's more laid back and friendly and you wont be dissapointed!
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