As the capital city of Victoria, Melbourne is home to an impressive arts and cultural scene and world-renowned food and wine. It’s also the gateway to a number of really cool day trips.If you’re planning your first trip to Melbourne, don’t miss these five things.
Sample a Melting Pot of Cuisine
Craving authentic Cantonese food? How about Ethiopian cuisine or Italian gelato? Melbourne has you covered with a wide variety of ethnic cuisines. Visit Chinatown for some of the best dim sum outside of Hong Kong, or explore neighborhoods like Carlton’s Little Italy, Richmond for Vietnamese, Fitzroy for Spanish, or even Brunswick for Lebanese cuisine.
Drink Up!
Whether you’re after a morning cup of coffee, a glass of wine, or a craft beer, Melbourne won’t disappoint. After all, you can expect to find seriously good coffee in the coffee capital of Australia. Hit one of the cafés in the CBD, or venture out to spots in South Melbourne or Prahran for a more laid-back vibe.
Melbourne is a great destination for learning about Australian wine, since a number of noted wine regions lie just outside the city. In fact, you can choose from over 30 wines by the glass at the Bluestone Wine Lounge inside Intercontinental Melbourne The Rialto. Located in the heart of the CBD, this spot also boasts one of the largest selection of Penfolds wines in the city.
You can also find plenty of craft beer in Melbourne. Visit a brewery or brew pub, join a pub crawl, or explore one of the city’s best bottle shops.
Take a Road Trip
Explore Melbourne’s Aboriginal Roots
Did you know that a very important group of people calls Melbourne Kulin Nation? The traditional owners of the region were the Wurundjeri, Boonwurrung, Taungurong, Dja Dja Wurrung, and Wathaurung people. Visitors to Melbourne can learn about the region’s aboriginal tribes by visiting one of the cultural centers, aboriginal art centers, or taking a tour thorough Gulpilil’s Australia, 100% indigenously owned and operated.
Take the City Circle Tram
The City Circle Tram is a great way to explore the CBD for free. It makes 28 stops, some of which are close to Melbourne’s historical and cultural attractions like State Library Victoria, Melbourne Museum, Parliament House, and the old Treasury Building. Trams depart every 12 minutes from the Flinders Street Station. Just look for the burgundy and green trams and hop on. Operating hours are 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday to Wednesday and 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Thursday through Saturday.
Known for its eclectic vibe, Melbourne offers plenty to do no matter what interests you. Whether you want to explore the arts and culture, embark on day trips around the region, or devour delicious eats in various neighborhoods, you’ll quickly understand why Melbourne is such a beloved city in Australia.
This post is in collaboration with IHG Hotels, but as always, all views and opinions are my own.
