Guidebook for Melbourne
Shopping
Melbourne's GPO - Shopping Centre
350 Bourke StExcellent shopping, cafes, restaurants etc.
David Jones
310 Bourke StOur best Department store. On both sides of the mall.
Large, recently renovated department store.
Apple shop on top floor.
Good cafe (Brunetti) on the third.
284 locals recommend
Myer Melbourne
336 Bourke StLarge, recently renovated department store.
Apple shop on top floor.
Good cafe (Brunetti) on the third.
Great little hand-made chocolate shop. Both the hot & the iced chocolate drinks are dangerous!
Chokolait
322 Little Collins StGreat little hand-made chocolate shop. Both the hot & the iced chocolate drinks are dangerous!
Block Arcade Studios
Lovely old arcade, good chocolate shop (Haighs) plus cafes etc.
Wonderful bookshop in the "cookie" building. Say hi to Sally. Explore the other floors in this Bohemian building.
9 locals recommend
Metropolis Bookshop
252 Swanston StWonderful bookshop in the "cookie" building. Say hi to Sally. Explore the other floors in this Bohemian building.
Extensive clothing store in the old post office.. I'm not a big fan myself (fast fashion is environ-mental) but the building is lovely and there is a good coffee shop/cafe in the portico on Elizabeth Street.
37 locals recommend
H&M
350 Bourke StExtensive clothing store in the old post office.. I'm not a big fan myself (fast fashion is environ-mental) but the building is lovely and there is a good coffee shop/cafe in the portico on Elizabeth Street.
BIG W Queen Victoria Village
Lonsdale StreetHuge discount store.
Extensive shopping complex downstrairs from our apartment.
Food courts, fashion, vast variety.
Walkway access to David Jones and Myer department stores, as well as to Melbourne Central, another extensive shopping complex with a multiplex cinema and underground train station.
773 locals recommend
Emporium Melbourne
287 Lonsdale StExtensive shopping complex downstrairs from our apartment.
Food courts, fashion, vast variety.
Walkway access to David Jones and Myer department stores, as well as to Melbourne Central, another extensive shopping complex with a multiplex cinema and underground train station.
Multi storey shopping centre one block away. Huge supermarket, electronics store, homewares stores, medical clinic, chemists, food court, cafes and restaurants, many fashion outlets. Multi-storey car park.
153 locals recommend
QV Melbourne
Swanston StreetMulti storey shopping centre one block away. Huge supermarket, electronics store, homewares stores, medical clinic, chemists, food court, cafes and restaurants, many fashion outlets. Multi-storey car park.
Food Scene
Some interesting restaurants, lively street dining. Fun for breakfast. Lunch is the business crowd, evenings a mix, including tourists. See www.urbanspoon.com or yourrestaurants.com.au/vic/Melbourne.
151 locals recommend
Hardware Lane
Hardware LaneSome interesting restaurants, lively street dining. Fun for breakfast. Lunch is the business crowd, evenings a mix, including tourists. See www.urbanspoon.com or yourrestaurants.com.au/vic/Melbourne.
Portello Rosso
15 Warburton LnExcellent tapas - you may need to book.
Bratwurst Shop & Co
513 Elizabeth StGet a spicy bratwurst and eat it outside-a Melbourne tradition!
The European
161 Spring StGreat upmarket café, dine on the street in relaxed luxury.
Very expensive restaurant with interesting décor, but the Cellar Bar out the front is a great place for a classy lunch.
35 locals recommend
Florentino
80 Bourke StVery expensive restaurant with interesting décor, but the Cellar Bar out the front is a great place for a classy lunch.
Melbourne tradition, dine here then catch a movie at the Nova across the road. There is a bus to Lygon Street from Melbourne Central (Lonsdale Street). The 201 I think.
27 locals recommend
Tiamo Coffee Restaurant
303 Lygon StreetMelbourne tradition, dine here then catch a movie at the Nova across the road. There is a bus to Lygon Street from Melbourne Central (Lonsdale Street). The 201 I think.
Charlie's Bar
71 Hardware LaneEspresso al banco just like in Roma :)
Excellent up-market restaurant (Japanese/International cuisine fusion).
13 locals recommend
Taxi Kitchen
Swanston StreetExcellent up-market restaurant (Japanese/International cuisine fusion).
Chocolate Buddha
Fun trendy "Japanese" food. Sit outside if it's not too cold.
Longrain Restaurant
44 Little Bourke StGreat hip restaurant with a Thai flavour (Pricey).
Auction Rooms
103-107 Errol StLargish trendy café with fun fresh food.
Attica
74 Glen Eira RdPresently Australia's best restaurant. Get out the platinum card.
BLUETRAIN
3 Southgate AveFun good value café, lively and filling.
Expensive but great seafood. See a show at the Regent next door or the Athenaeum over the road as well.
114 locals recommend
Box Seafood Restaurant
189 Collins StExpensive but great seafood. See a show at the Regent next door or the Athenaeum over the road as well.
China Bar Signature
222 Exhibition StreetFun, lively, smorgasbord (or Hawker) style.
Lovely old boathouse on the Yarra river, lunch (barby on weekends). Hire a row-boat!
106 locals recommend
Fairfield Park Boathouse & Tea Gardens
Fairfield Park DriveLovely old boathouse on the Yarra river, lunch (barby on weekends). Hire a row-boat!
Trattoria Emilia
360 Little Collins StGood hearty food here
Brilliant Japanese food on the river in the edge of the concert hall. Take your wallet.
27 locals recommend
Saké Restaurant & Bar Hamer Hall
100 St Kilda RdBrilliant Japanese food on the river in the edge of the concert hall. Take your wallet.
Marios
303 Brunswick StGreat cafe in hipster Brunswick Street.
Good Korean restaurant just down the road. Not great for vegetarians.
43 locals recommend
G2 Korean BBQ
301 Elizabeth StGood Korean restaurant just down the road. Not great for vegetarians.
Gourmet Curry Hut Indian Cuisine
318 Little Collins StA good little Indian restaurant, especially for takeaway.
Oriental Spoon
254 La Trobe StOur favourite cheap local Korean restaurant. Try the prawn entrée.
Brunetti Myer Melbourne
314-336 Bourke StGood italian-themed acfe on third floor of the Myer department store.
Everything Else
Vast market with fresh produce and general merchandise.
Mon CLOSED, Tue 6am-2pm, Wed CLOSED, Thu 6am-2pm, Fri 6am-5pm (General Merchandise to 4pm), Sat 6am-3pm, Sun 9am-4pm
(www.qvm.com.au)
957 locals recommend
Queen Victoria Market
Queen StreetVast market with fresh produce and general merchandise.
Mon CLOSED, Tue 6am-2pm, Wed CLOSED, Thu 6am-2pm, Fri 6am-5pm (General Merchandise to 4pm), Sat 6am-3pm, Sun 9am-4pm
(www.qvm.com.au)
Down by the seaside (sort of). Take a 30 minute tram ride on the 109 down Collins Street.A few nice restaurants. Catch the ferry to Tasmania!
113 locals recommend
Port Melbourne Beach
Down by the seaside (sort of). Take a 30 minute tram ride on the 109 down Collins Street.A few nice restaurants. Catch the ferry to Tasmania!
Old bayside suburb. Fun for a day trip. Catch the train or take a ferry from Southbank.
Williamstown Health + Lifestyle
99A Douglas ParadeOld bayside suburb. Fun for a day trip. Catch the train or take a ferry from Southbank.
Lay back and watch the stars on the domed ceiling. In the scienceworks Museum, which is great for kids. Technical gadgets, old steam engines et cetera. Train to Spotswood or ferry from Southbank.
7 locals recommend
Melbourne Planetarium
2 Booker StLay back and watch the stars on the domed ceiling. In the scienceworks Museum, which is great for kids. Technical gadgets, old steam engines et cetera. Train to Spotswood or ferry from Southbank.
A good medical Centre nearby. Open seven days a week (just the mornings on the weekend). They also provide home visits by doctors
165 locals recommend
QV Medical Centre
1 Elizabeth StA good medical Centre nearby. Open seven days a week (just the mornings on the weekend). They also provide home visits by doctors
Arts & Culture
HOYTS
La Trobe StreetLarge Multi-cinema complex.
Interesting gallery on the ground floor (plus good book shop and café). See the lovely reading room, and Ned Kelly's armour (our most famous bushranger).
568 locals recommend
State Library Victoria
328 Swanston StInteresting gallery on the ground floor (plus good book shop and café). See the lovely reading room, and Ned Kelly's armour (our most famous bushranger).
Modern museum with old collection. Good Indigenous section & Aussie culture section Fun kids area. The room at the back NW corner, full of stuffed animals from the old museum, is fascinating.
593 locals recommend
Melbourne Museum
11 Nicholson StModern museum with old collection. Good Indigenous section & Aussie culture section Fun kids area. The room at the back NW corner, full of stuffed animals from the old museum, is fascinating.
Vast entertainment section, gambling of course, multiplex cinema and a large selection of restaurants, some of excellent quality.
13 locals recommend
Crown Promenade Melbourne
8 Whiteman StVast entertainment section, gambling of course, multiplex cinema and a large selection of restaurants, some of excellent quality.
Kino Cinemas
45 Collins StArt-house cinema complex.
Cinema Nova
380 Lygon StMelbourne's best art-house cinema complex.
A good spot to see a cool jazz band. Not always open so google it.
21 locals recommend
Bennetts Lane Jazz Club
25 Bennetts LaneA good spot to see a cool jazz band. Not always open so google it.
Interesting old building, some good exhibitions. Not a "must-see" but worth a look.
96 locals recommend
Immigration Museum
400 Flinders StInteresting old building, some good exhibitions. Not a "must-see" but worth a look.
SEA LIFE Melbourne Aquarium
King StreetIt's OK.
Melbourne Official Arts Hub. Concerts, theatre, ballet, opera et al. Always something going on.
164 locals recommend
Arts Precinct/St Kilda Road station
Melbourne Official Arts Hub. Concerts, theatre, ballet, opera et al. Always something going on.
Extensive Art gallery with international collection. (Aussie art is in Federation square). Wet your fingers on the famous water wall and see the glass ceiling in the great hall.
1737 locals recommend
National Gallery of Victoria
180 St Kilda RdExtensive Art gallery with international collection. (Aussie art is in Federation square). Wet your fingers on the famous water wall and see the glass ceiling in the great hall.
Gallery of Australian art including a great contemporary indigenous collection. Many of our greatest works are here, including "Ramming the shears" (oops, I meant "Shearing the rams").
128 locals recommend
The Ian Potter Centre: NGV Australia
Russell StreetGallery of Australian art including a great contemporary indigenous collection. Many of our greatest works are here, including "Ramming the shears" (oops, I meant "Shearing the rams").
Princess Theatre
163 Spring StLovely old theatre, usually running a musical.
Comedy Theatre
240 Exhibition StLovely old theatre, runs musical theatre & drama.
Her Majesty's Theatre
219 Exhibition StBeautiful old theatre, musicals and drama.
Imax theatre. Sometimes blockbusters on the huge screen in 3D.
315 locals recommend
IMAX Melbourne Museum
Rathdowne StreetImax theatre. Sometimes blockbusters on the huge screen in 3D.
The Toff In Town
252 Swanston StA fun little nightclub just around the corner.
Check out a movie on the rooftop! Not wheelchair accessible, sadly.
175 locals recommend
Rooftop Cinema
252 Swanston StCheck out a movie on the rooftop! Not wheelchair accessible, sadly.
Rod Laver Arena
200 Olympic BlvdHome of the Australian tennis open and concerts by famous bands.
The famous Melbourne cricket ground, known as the MCG or simply the 'G.
Catch a game of Aussie rules footy, or cricket if it's summertime.
976 locals recommend
Melbourne Cricket Ground
Brunton AvenueThe famous Melbourne cricket ground, known as the MCG or simply the 'G.
Catch a game of Aussie rules footy, or cricket if it's summertime.
Red Stitch Actors' Theatre
2 Chapel StMelbourne's best small ensemble theatre company IMAO.
Grand old movie house, showing art house to hipsters and boho's. Designed by Walter Burley Griffin, who also designed Canberra.
145 locals recommend
The Astor Theatre
1 Chapel StGrand old movie house, showing art house to hipsters and boho's. Designed by Walter Burley Griffin, who also designed Canberra.
Under the glass ice cream cone in Melbourne Central shopping centre (just around the corner again.) There is also a giant clock that plays an Aussie jingle on the hour.
7 locals recommend
Shot Tower Museum
211 La Trobe StUnder the glass ice cream cone in Melbourne Central shopping centre (just around the corner again.) There is also a giant clock that plays an Aussie jingle on the hour.
Right across the road. The oldest Catholic Church in Melbourne, so they say. Excellent choir of a Sunday, and they even let in atheists like me.
16 locals recommend
St. Francis Church
326 Lonsdale StRight across the road. The oldest Catholic Church in Melbourne, so they say. Excellent choir of a Sunday, and they even let in atheists like me.
Nice old museum boat, at the edge of the South wharf shopping precinct.
41 locals recommend
Polly Woodside
21 S Wharf PromenadeNice old museum boat, at the edge of the South wharf shopping precinct.
Malthouse Theatre
113 Sturt StOne of our best live theatre venues.
Melbourne's concert hall. Classical music and other concerts.
68 locals recommend
Hamer Hall, Melbourne
100 St Kilda RdMelbourne's concert hall. Classical music and other concerts.
State Theatre
100 St Kilda RdMelbourne's State Theatre. Ballet, drama, Opera and so on.
A Melbourne football ground. In winter, go and see an Aussie rules footy match.
506 locals recommend
Marvel Stadium
740 Bourke StA Melbourne football ground. In winter, go and see an Aussie rules footy match.
Drinks & Nightlife
Transport Hotel
Federation SquareFun bar for people-watching in the afternoon.
Lovely old pub, now trendily remodelled but relaxing. See the famous Chloe nude (not so controversial these days).
25 locals recommend
Young & Jackson
1 Swanston StLovely old pub, now trendily remodelled but relaxing. See the famous Chloe nude (not so controversial these days).
My favourite cafe of an afternoon. Wonderful Thai "bar" food, cocktails and beers on tap. Used to be the studio of an artist friend of mine. It's my secret so please don't tell anybody about it.
381 locals recommend
Cookie
252 Swanston StMy favourite cafe of an afternoon. Wonderful Thai "bar" food, cocktails and beers on tap. Used to be the studio of an artist friend of mine. It's my secret so please don't tell anybody about it.
Sightseeing
Our incredibly popular public space. Aussie art at the back, ACMI "Moving Image" gallery at the side.
797 locals recommend
Federation Square
Our incredibly popular public space. Aussie art at the back, ACMI "Moving Image" gallery at the side.
Southgate
3 Southgate AveShops, cafes. Some good cheap places.
Probably the hippest street in Melbourne. Coffee, clothes shops, bookshops, just fun to wander along (there is a tram from the city).
135 locals recommend
Brunswick Street
Brunswick StreetProbably the hippest street in Melbourne. Coffee, clothes shops, bookshops, just fun to wander along (there is a tram from the city).
Bridge Road
Bridge RoadAnother hip shopping street.
See the penguins walk about your feet at dusk. (Don't pay to go on the tourist trap boats, just walk out to the end of the pier.) Trams & train from the city.
13 locals recommend
St Kilda Pavilion
Acland StreetSee the penguins walk about your feet at dusk. (Don't pay to go on the tourist trap boats, just walk out to the end of the pier.) Trams & train from the city.
Brilliant zoo, lovely gardens. See the butterfly house, monkey walk, meerkats, kangaroos ...
389 locals recommend
Melbourne Zoo
Elliott AvenueBrilliant zoo, lovely gardens. See the butterfly house, monkey walk, meerkats, kangaroos ...
Melbourne's answer to the London eye. Not fantastic but worth a look if you're down the Docklands area. Try the Eureka sky deck for more extensive use of Melbourne.
262 locals recommend
Melbourne Star Observation Wheel
101 Waterfront WayMelbourne's answer to the London eye. Not fantastic but worth a look if you're down the Docklands area. Try the Eureka sky deck for more extensive use of Melbourne.
Royal Botanic Gardens Victoria
Fabulous! Have some scones by the lake.
St Paul's Cathedral
Flinders StreetMelbourne's biggest Anglican church.
St Patrick’s Cathedral Fountain
Smith StreetHuge Catholic cathedral.
Extensive beautiful gardens. A 20 minute walk from the apartment.
227 locals recommend
Fitzroy Gardens Playground
Wellington ParadeExtensive beautiful gardens. A 20 minute walk from the apartment.
A lovely little cottage which you can visit. Australia's oldest building. Closes at 5 PM (but get there earlier).
56 locals recommend
Cooks' Cottage
Wellington ParadeA lovely little cottage which you can visit. Australia's oldest building. Closes at 5 PM (but get there earlier).
An interesting place to walk about. Restaurants (a bit touristy) but by the river. Walk along the river an either side for fun.
178 locals recommend
Southbank
An interesting place to walk about. Restaurants (a bit touristy) but by the river. Walk along the river an either side for fun.
Essentials
Huge local supermarket. This has everything and it's open very late.
211 locals recommend
Woolworths QV
Swanston StreetHuge local supermarket. This has everything and it's open very late.