MELBOURNE
MELBOURNE
Flemington Queen Victoria Market
Yarra River
MELBOURNE
Fitzroy Old Melbourne Gaol
3 MCG Flinders St Melbourne Park Station Federation Square
1 Sports Museum
Melbourne Skydeck 2
4
Southbank
Royal Botanic Gardens St Kilda
Albert Park
Melbourne
1 Batman ’ s Hill on Collins ,
Rendezvous Hotel Melbourne & Quincy Hotel Melbourne
2 Adina Apartment Hotel 3 Treasury on Collins 4 Pan Pacific Melbourne
A hub for all things trendy and tasty
With an exciting food scene , neighbourhoods varying from hip to historical and an unrivalled sporting calendar , Melbourne considers itself the cultural capital of Australia .
A joy to explore on foot or by tram , the city centre includes the state parliament ; splendid Victorian buildings ; character-filled cobbled laneways lined with incredible street art , restaurants , cafés , bars and boutiques ; ultra-modern Federation Square ; and Flinders Street Station , where it ’ s obligatory to stand beneath the clocks of this iconic terminus as generations before have done . For a glimpse of times past , visit Captain Cook ’ s 18th century cottage and garden or , tour the Old Melbourne Gaol , where outlaw Ned Kelly was held until his hanging in 1880 .
For an experience on another level , zip up to the Southern Hemisphere ’ s highest observation deck at Melbourne Skydeck or , if you dare , teeter on the Edge , a transparent glass cube projecting out from the skydeck . If you like to keep your feet firmly on the ground , take a stroll around the highly regarded Royal Botanic Gardens .
Southbank boasts the sprawling Crown Entertainment Complex . Once a blighted stretch of factories and run-down warehouses , it ’ s now full of shops , eateries , nightclubs and a casino . Eclectic Fitzroy is also worthy of your attention , with a rich history etched into its old pubs , narrow streets , restaurants and cafés .
Melbourne is a mecca for shopping , with top spots including Melbourne Central , the District Docklands , Bourke Street Mall and DFO South Wharf .
Melbourne ’ s sporting calendar brims with activity all year long . Check out the city ’ s major venues such as the iconic MCG ( for cricket and Australian Football League ); Melbourne Park ( tennis ); Flemington ( horse racing ); and Albert Park ( Formula 1 Grand Prix ).
South east of the city discover laidback sandy stretches lined with palm trees , colourful bathing boxes , sun-dappled cafés and waterfront promenades . Popular spots include colourful St Kilda , quieter Elwood and picturesque Brighton Beach . As the sun goes down , the city comes to life with vibrant dining and a hopping craft brew scene . From exceptional local flavours to globally inspired cuisine and friendly watering holes , Melbourne hits the spot .
Getting there : Melbourne is about 21 hours flight time from the UK with a stopover .
Best time to go : Melbourne enjoys dry warm summers ( December to February ), with cooler temperatures in autumn ( March to May ). Winter can be cold although heavy rain is rare , while spring ( September to November ) is a variable season .
UNMISSABLE MELBOURNE EXPERIENCES Get more out of your stay . Prices are per person
LANES & ARCADES from £ 68
Step into the enchanting laneways and hidden corners of Melbourne on this immersive three hour guided tour . Discover some of the laneways you may have heard about , but also many you may not know so well . A walk in the city is not complete without a wonderful drink stop at a local chocolate salon . This is a tour with a few added indulgences .
GREAT OCEAN ROAD from £ 71
Travel by coach for a day exploring this world-famous stretch of road . Highlights include a stop for a selfie at the Great Ocean Road sign , a visit to Apollo Bay , a guided forest walk , a view of the Twelve Apostles and Loch Ard Gorge beach .
GRAMPIANS ECO WILDERNESS ESCAPE from £ 79
Spend the day journeying through Grampians National Park , taking in the breathtaking views and amazing landscapes . Learn and appreciate the rich Aboriginal heritage , encounter native wildlife and enjoy bushland hiking trails with the best lookouts for memorable photos .
YARRA VALLEY WINE EXPERIENCE from £ 92 ( includes lunch & wine tasting ) A full day of enjoying wine begins at Greenstone Vineyard which nestles at the base of the Christmas Hills . Continue to Balgownie Estate for a guided tasting and lunch then travel on to Yering Farm which oozes character and superb wines . Finally , visit Soumah of Yarra Valley , a winery that specialises in wine styles and varieties typical to northern Italy and south eastern France .
MORNINGTON PENINSULA from £ 105 ( includes lunch & wine tasting ) Get acquainted with the wonderful Mornington Peninsula , starting with historic Main Street in Mornington and then on to famous Mount Martha beach . From there , head to the Eagle Gondola for a ride to the Arthurs Seat summit for some fine views . Next up is lunch and wine tastings at a winery before a visit to the chocolaterie for chocolate tastings .
PHILLIP ISLAND PENGUIN PARADE from £ 122
This full day ultimate eco tour includes a visit to spectacular Cape Woolamal Surf Beach , where it ’ s not uncommon to see dolphins and seals frolicking off shore . Travel on to see the Nobbies and Australia ’ s largest fur seal colony at Seal Rocks . The tour concludes at Summerland Beach to watch hundreds of Little Penguins emerge from the sea and waddle to their burrows .
78 AUSTRALIA visit your local travel agent or call 08444 937 900