Holiday rentals in Melbourne

Food and Drink in Melbourne

Melbourne is one of the world's great food cities, with culinary delights from all over the globe represented in town. Restaurants for all budgets can be found across the city centre and in the trendy suburbs, but there are a few specific districts to look out for. Richmond's Victoria Street is a hub of cheap and authentic Asian eateries, while Coburg is the neighbourhood to pick up some delicious Middle Eastern grub. Carlton is the most popular place for visitors eating out, and therefore, is also the area where you're most likely to overpay—stopping for a coffee or sandwich is fine, but you'll be assured of better quality elsewhere in the city.

Melbourne has a long affiliation which Chinese immigrants and is therefore home to the country's oldest Chinatown, which is located on Little Bourke Street in the centre of the city. Most of the food is Cantonese-style and if you're on a budget, or even if you aren't, Camy's Dumpling House is a casual Chinese cafe which wonderfully captures the authentic tastes of Hong Kong.

Where to Get Cultural in Melbourne

Melbourne is widely considered the more creative and alternative of Australia's two main cities, and so cultural pursuits are not in short supply. Once you've captured the major visitor highlights, including Queen Victoria Market and Federation Square, you can start to explore the beating heart of Melbourne's artistic spaces. Birrarung Gallery At Bunjilaka Aboriginal Cultural Centre gives a fascinating insight into the lives of the Aboriginal people. You can continue learning about Australia's First Nations peoples at Narana Aboriginal Cultural Centre, just outside of the city.

Melbourne has a large collection of museums covering a vast array of subjects. More typical offerings include the Jewish Museum of Australia and the Medical History Museum. However, there are plenty more niche and quirky options. The Chinese Museum and the Australian Music Vault are just a few of the choices open to visitors. For fantastic theatre, check the listings at venues such as Shirley Burke Theatre and the Melbourne Arts Centre.

Nightlife in Melbourne

Melbourne's scene is a diverse affair and offers much more than just bars and clubs, though of course, there are plenty of these. See the city by night with a dinner cruise from the harbour or just grab a casual drink along the twinkling waterfront. There are also plenty of booze-free and family-friendly activities to enjoy, including bowling at Strike, heading to Pidapipó for a scoop of late night ice cream in the summer, or catching some live music at Curtin in Carlton (or any of the numerous music venues across town). If you do fancy a tipple, then head to the City Centre (CBD) and explore the labyrinth of alleyways for subterranean drinking dens where the locals hang out until the small hours.

Exploring Beyond the City

Within an hour's drive of Melbourne, visitors have the possibility to explore a number of attractions on offer in the state of Victoria. To the east of the city is the majestic Dandenong Range. This verdant mountain range has trekking and hiking opportunities aplenty, or if you prefer, you can see the area by taking the famous Puffin Billy steam train. The scenic lookout has panoramic views and is the perfect place to watch the dazzling sunset.

The Yarra Valley is a top wine producing region and within easy reach of the city. You can tour the numerous vineyards on an organised tour or rent a car and head out to explore the area yourself. On Sundays there is a traditional farmers' market here, where you can feast on fresh pastries before spending the afternoon sampling the best of the region's produce. Hot air balloon rides also operate over the rolling hills, with spectacular views across the valley.