With its artsy persona, world-class coffee scene, and rich cultural makeup, Melbourne remains one of the most popular destinations in Australia. Scott Podmore discovers why.
Another year and another most livable city award suggests Melbourne truly is irresistible. But don’t worry if you can’t pack up shop and move to this Great Southern Land: even a quick dash to Melbourne opens the door to a melting pot of cultural experiences like no other place in the world.
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7 am
Virgin Australia only recently expanded its international footprint into Greater China, launching five return services per week between Hong Kong and Melbourne using an Airbus A330-200 aircraft that features an extremely well-designed business class cabin in a 1-2-1 layout. The seat is 28 inches (70cm) wide and stretches out to an 80-inch (203cm) long flatbed so your chances of some sleep are greatly enhanced before your early morning arrival.
9 am
Overnight flights can smack you in the senses, but the seven-time world’s most livable city offers a guaranteed magical breakfast experience at every turn. Detour to the grungy northern suburb of Fitzroy, where a venue called Rustica Sourdough Bakery offers a breakfast journey of Willy Wonka proportions. Expect the unexpected from the menu, including the sweet-tooth’s dream concoction of French toasted donuts, Nutella, fresh banana, Hazelnut crumb, strawberry cream, Oreo and Nutella ice cream, topped off with pop rocks. If that doesn’t awaken your senses, nothing will.
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11 am
Crown Metropol is as modern as tomorrow and is complemented by impeccable customer service. The experience starts with a red carpet-esque vibe from the minute you’re greeted by the doormen. An urban oasis blending stylish accommodation with contemporary luxury, the Metropol is set on the Yarra River and is only a stone’s throw from Flinders Station, the Melbourne Exhibition Centre, shopping, dining, sporting, and cultural precincts. The luxe rooms from the eighth floor up are exquisite, with The King suites featuring spa baths, plush king beds, and views of Port Phillip Bay. Once settled in, head to the recently renovated pool area (above) on the 27th floor to help justify the guilty pleasures of breakfast.
1 pm
There are quirky novelty attractions galore in Melbourne; a 15-minute walk to the Docklands precinct leads to Dialogue in the Dark, a sensory journey in total darkness. You’ll experience Melbourne in a new way, in complete darkness, at the side of a blind guide. An Australia-first, this social enterprise is brought to you by Guide Dogs Australia and has been experienced by more than 10 million people across more than 40 countries. The experience also employs more than 10,000 blind or partially blind people globally.
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3 pm
Switch the lights back on and recharge your senses with a bite and a craft brew at Ponyfish Island, a bar set on its namesake Yarra River island, accessible from the Pedestrian Bridge at Southbank. The island takes its name from the mythical Ponyfish said to swim in the Yarra. City slickers and hipsters unite here for a seasonal menu of bar snacks and stunning riverscapes.
5.30 pm
It would be remiss not to block out some time for a stroll through Melbourne’s grunge-artsy cobbled laneways and bite-sized shopping strips in the heart of town to uncover a rare and unusual shop or two. Venture as far as Lonsdale Street and you’ll encounter Wunderkammer, a celebration of weird and wonderful scientific paraphernalia. For the full assault on the senses think taxidermy, scientific instruments, medical equipment, butterflies and insects, and fossils.
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7 pm
Allow the senses to settle with an ale or two when you take a seat at much-lauded cellar bar Golden Monkey on Hardware Lane, one of Melbourne’s most unique venues. With a mysterious, Old Shanghai ambience complemented by swish décor, the venue prides itself on first-class service. Asian-inspired tea-infused cocktails stand out most. By 8 pm the place is jumping; a local advises some of the hottest musicians and DJs “need to be seen” here.
8.45 pm
Say hello to Melbourne’s hottest new Japanese restaurant, Kisume, which “redefines higher-end dining”, according to owner Chris Lucas. Visually this triple level treat serves up a muted palette of black, grey, and buffed metals to let provocative prints from some famous photographers, such as Japan’s Nobuyoshi Araki, steal moments of your attention.
Unlike other hot restaurants in the Lucas Group stable (Chin Chin, Hawker Hall, Kong), you can reserve a table here and there’s no pumping music or neon lights. Take your pick of either the New York-esque ground floor and bustling windowless basement restaurant and sushi bar, or venture up to the first floor for private, kaiseki-style dining at Kuro Kisumé, where The Chablis Bar is a highlight.
The food hits the spot on all levels with sashimi, sushi, and elaborate fish dishes that make your heart sing while the drinks list comprises top-quality locally-made wines and beers, sitting comfortably alongside world-class cocktails.
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11 pm
Those who prefer their watering holes hip, dark, and visually overwhelming should head to the Boilermaker House, which is becoming one of Melbourne’s must-be-seen-here late-night cocktail bars. The whisky wall and extensive beer and cocktail lists mean you should entrust your selection to the bar staff who never fail to disappoint with their (charmingly condescending) knowledge and crisp service. The Chocolate Martini is award-winning for a good reason.
8.30 am
Built into the side of the city library is Journal Cafe in Flinders Lane, a popular breakfast venue with communal wooden tables for spreading out the weekend newspaper while you tear into a wicked bircher muesli with green apples, strawberries, yoghurt, honey, and chia. Take your pick of either fresh juices or the extremely good Romcaffe coffee.
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