Melbourne Guide

I LOVE Melbourne. It's as simple as that. It's by far my favourite city in Australia to visit just because of how they DO food. Food is taken very seriously by this multicultural city and I love that I can get my hands on a cannoli as often as I like.

Hotels

Despite our numerous visits we've only ever stayed in two hotels.

Novotel Melbourne on Collins is situated midway along Collins Street, across from Tiffany's and two blocks from the Bourke Street Mall. The rooms are large and once the renovation is completed in the adjacent shopping centre (it's been dragging on for years) the hotel will be perfect. The staff are a delight and are very courteous.

The Stamford Plaza Melbourne is situated at the 'Paris-end' of Little Collins Street. The hotel is split across two towers and the rooms surround a tall atrium - not for the faint-hearted or those of you like myself that are afraid of heights. The rooms are beautifully appointed and very spacious.

Dining

1.     I couldn't visit Melbourne without visiting Brunetti. It's located on Level 3 of Myer Melbourne City, in Swanston Street and its flagship store is located on Lygon Street, Carlton. Mr P loves the ricotta-filled cannoli and for me I love anything filled with custard.

2.     Flower Drum, Market Lane, Chinatown - a 5-star Asian dining experience, waiters in black tie suits, an opulent dining room, exquisite service, the most amazing Asian food you will ever eat, uber expensive, perfect for a special occasion

3.     The Press Club, Flinders Street, Melbourne - a fine dining Greek restaurant by George Calombaris of Masterchef fame, we had the 9-course degustation which was incredible, expensive but an experience worth having

4.     Grossi Florentino, Bourke Street, Melbourne - an Italian fine-dining restaurant run by Guy Grossi star of the Italian Food Safari series featured on SBS, incredible food and service, you won't be disappointed

5.     Hellenic Republic, Lygon Street, Brunswick East - another George Calombaris restaurant this time a short cab ride north from Melbourne city, we had a Greek banquet which included halloumi, lamb and galaktoboureko (custard dessert)

6.     Punch Lane Wine Bar - we found this great wine bar in Little Bourke Street, the wine list was extensive and the ambience cosy with timber furnishings and soft lighting, wine bottles line the walls, we were even able to get a dessert plate well after normal dining hours

7.     Tuscan Bar Rooftop Wine Garden, Bourke Street, Melbourne - this felt very New York and a nice way to socialise with a group of friends where you can drink beer and wine, and chat without competing with loud music

8.     The Colonial Tramcar Restaurant - 5-star lunch or dinner dining in a moving tram, gorgeous Australian cuisine with a fantastic view of Melbourne and St Kilda, books out weeks ahead so book ahead of time

Transport

We have myki travel cards which we bring on every trip. We visit the Federation Square Information Centre and have our cards topped up and then use the journey planner website to work out which tram we need to catch. Trams are a novelty to us because they were discontinued in Brisbane when we were young.

Things to Do

1.     Take that classic Melbourne shot at Flinders Street Station

2.     Walk the promenade at South Bank, enjoy the views of the city across the Yarra River and grab a bite to eat in one of the many cafes and restaurants.

3.     We love to eat brunch in cafes in the gorgeous laneways.

4.     Hop on a tram to St Kilda, walk along the promenade beside Hobsons Bay or grab a bite to eat and enjoy the view of the Melbourne skyline.

5.     Follow one of the walking tours - maps can be picked up from the Information Centre in Federation Square.

6.     Browse the many shops and boutiques.

7.     Walk Lygon Street and pick a restaurant (it's tricky, there are so many to choose from)

8.     Watch a football match at AAMI Stadium

9.     Visit the Eureka Skydeck for amazing views of the city and surrounds

10.     See a show in one of Melbourne's many theatres

11.     Eat cannoli from Brunetti every single day

12.     Visit the Queen Victoria Markets

13.     Grab a quick bite to eat in Chinatown

15.     Take in the Melbourne skyline and river by night

Shopping

1.     Bourke Street Mall

2.     Zara in the Bourke Street Mall

3.     Melbourne Central Shopping Centre

4.     Melbourne Arcades

5.     Bridge Road and Church Street, Richmond

Weather

Melbourne is known of its 'four seasons in one day'. Just make sure you are prepared for any eventuality.

Look up and you will see

Gorgeous leafy tree-lined streets

Exquisite buildings especially in Collins Street East end - they don't call it the 'Paris end' of Melbourne for nothing

Amazing architecture

Quirky buildings and art work

Until next time xx