The First Time Visitors Guide to Experiencing Melbourne, Victoria | the islander

Want to plan your first trip to Melbourne? Although you may already know that there is much to see and do in the city of Melbourne, it can be tricky to put together a concrete travel itinerary when visiting this burgeoning urban center.

Where do you start when planning a trip to a city with a genuine abundance of attractions, activities and experiences to enjoy? Even searching for places to stay in Melbourne can be an ordeal in itself, simply because of the sheer number of accommodation options available to you.

We provide a small overview of Melbourne’s best attractions and itinerary items to consider for each and every first-time visitor, ranging from things to see and do in Melbourne’s central business district as well as city center and even country attractions for anyone looking to enjoy that fresh Victorian country air during their time in Australia’s cultural capital.

Read on to help kick start planning your own Melbourne travel itinerary.

Did you know that in addition to being the cultural capital of the nation, Melbourne is also the fashion capital of Australia? This means that some good shopping days are an absolute must on your Melbourne travel itinerary.

There are a plethora of boutiques dotting the streets of Melbourne’s inner city, with suburbs like Prahran, South Yarra, Fitzroy and Armadale being particularly popular with style-savvy shoppers. For those who love bargain hunting, saving or finding some truly hidden gems, a trip to the city’s Queen Victoria Market or South Melbourne Market is also sure to result in some unique additions to your personal wardrobe.

And if you have more luxurious tastes? Fortunately, visitors to Melbourne can also enjoy shopping for some of the world’s most famous international designer brands. If you’re interested in adding a designer touch to your look, consider finding accommodation right next to Melbourne’s upscale shopping area at the north end of Collins Street.

Those staying at the Windsor Hotel in Melbourne can enjoy world-class shopping right outside their door. For those staying elsewhere in the CBD, all of Melbourne’s premium fashion retailers are also easily accessible by tram and perhaps without having to buy a Myki travel card, thanks to the free tram area of ​​the city.

Melbourne is particularly known for being a food lover’s paradise, with plenty of cafes, restaurants and eating establishments to choose from, some of which are even known the world over. The city’s culinary experiences are actually so iconic that there is a list of must-see dishes that all first-time visitors should consider trying to get the most out of their Melbourne experience.

This list contains culinary delights suitable for all types of foodies. For example, confectioners can enjoy the best croissant in the world at Lune Croissanterie in Melbourne.

Any foodie with dietary restrictions can also enjoy highly customizable menus throughout the city of Melbourne, with some of Melbourne’s most popular restaurants featuring full vegan menus, as well as low-FODMAP and gluten-free options for inclusion. total. Some of Melbourne’s best vegan restaurants include Vegie Bar in Fitzroy, The Cornish Arms in Brunswick, and Sister of Soul in St Kilda, with dozens of others in between.

Of course, enjoying art and culture is intrinsic when visiting Australia’s cultural capital, which is why all first-time visitors to the city of Melbourne should set aside a day on their itinerary to explore some of the art galleries. of the city and maybe even attend a theater show.

As it happens, the Melbourne Arts Precinct is home to the National Gallery of Victoria, which houses a fantastic collection of paintings, sculptures and artifacts from around the world. The NGV also maintains a strong events schedule, with many limited-time exhibits throughout the year.

After a good walk through some gallery spaces, head to the City Center for the Arts for some world-class theater. The Arts Precinct is also home to the headquarters of the MTC (Melbourne Theater Company) at the Southbank Theater on Southbank Boulevard, which also offers a collection of contemporary theater productions that all actors are sure to appreciate.

And the fans of street art? Fortunately, Melbourne is also no stranger to this humble art form. Just head down Hosier Lane to see the works of some of the city’s most prolific street artists. Just make sure to take plenty of photos while you’re there!

This ever-evolving alley is truly chameleon-like, with artists adding to the alley’s rich tapestry every day. No two trips to Hosier Lane are the same.

Being a seaside city, Melbourne is also home to some fantastic beaches including St Kilda Beach, Brighton Beach and Sandringham Beach which are at the end of the Sandringham train line. Beachgoers can enjoy sunbathing, swimming or even saltwater kayaking and other water sports year-round, though summer is when Melbourne’s beaches really come to life. We recommend snapping some photos at Brighton Beach’s iconic bathing boxes.

For those who are happy to go a little further afield for a little beachside bliss, consider writing some time into your travel itinerary to visit Melbourne’s Mornington Peninsula or maybe even Phillip Island. Both of these adjacent seaside destinations offer their own attractions, with Mornington Hot Springs and Phillip Island’s Penguin Parade a crowd favorite with tourists and locals alike.

As you can see, Melbourne is not considered the cultural capital of Australia for no small reason. All the great dining, cultural and outdoor experiences that make up this bustling city and its verdant surroundings is precisely what makes Melbourne one of Australia’s must-see tourist destinations for international and domestic travelers alike.

If you can add just one or two of these little travel tips to your own Melbourne travel itinerary, then chances are you can have a great stay in this city that is truly an urbanite’s dream.