GrownUps New Zealand

The best of Melbourne

With flights to Melbourne from as little as $110 from Christchurch and Auckland, April is the perfect time to getaway to the Victorian capital. Both flights take around four hours (give or take) which means if you score a good schedule you’ll barely notice you were in the air. To get you inspired, we’ve put together a two-day schedule covering the very best Melbourne has to serve up. If your times are a little off, feel free to mix things up and create your own!

Day 1

Get off the plan and make a beeline for the Skybus. Buy a return ticket and that’s your airport transfers sorted. Or, be cheeky and use Uber. Technically you’re only allowed to use UberBlack, but if you drop a pin somewhere nearby and give your driver a call they’ll cruise into arrivals and pick you up. But shhh, you didn’t hear it from us!

Melbourne is a city of neighbourhoods, and there are so many different options when it comes to where to stay. We love the city centre for polished hotels, but if you’re after an authentic experience or are holidaying on a budget why not book an Airbnb in a trendy suburb like Windsor, Prahran or South Melbourne. Want to know more? Check out our Airbnb guide for all you need to know about joining the revolution.

As the self-confessed coffee capital of the world, there’s no better place to get a caffeine fix than Melbourne. You don’t need our recommendations for this one. Simply head to your closest corner and chances are you’ll find a perfect latte, and a freshly baked croissant to go.

The Melbourne city centre is amazingly walkable, with a kaleidoscope of laneways, malls and arcades to explore. Spend the rest of your morning shopping up a storm, or simply admiring magnificent buildings like the Block and Royal arcades.

Indulge in a lazy lunch by the river, with plenty of waterfront restaurants to choose from around the Docklands area. After you’ve had your fill, check out some of Melbourne’s iconic sights like the gorgeous La Trobe Reading Room in the State Library. On a sunny day, a wander around the Royal Botanic Gardens is a great way to stretch your legs after the flight.

Colourful by definition, St Kilda is a breath of fresh air. Take a walk along the beach, or admire the view from stylish Republica. With a glass of craft beer in-hand, of course.

If you can resist the pull of a St Kilda sunset, head back downtown and enjoy a drink at one of Melbourne’s famous rooftop bars. Head to TimeOut for a rundown of the best picks in the city.

Melbourne’s Chinatown is truly something to behold. For a cheap dinner snag a table at Camy Shanghai. Or for something upmarket, book at table at Flower Drum for exquisite Chinese-inspired fare.

Day 2

Start the day right with a lazy brunch in Fitzroy. Check out Brunswick Street for organic cafes, quirky boutiques, vintage bookstores and everything in-between. Coveted for its vegan creations, Smith & Daughters is a Melbourne institution known for its tasty creations.

Famously hip, South Melbourne Markets is a fantastic place to experience the city’s vibrant food scene. For an authentic experience, do as the locals do and hit up one of the amazing delicatessens. Four premium cheeses for $10? Yes, please!

If you can, score tickets to an AFL match. Melbournians take their footy very seriously, and the atmosphere is electric at games. Use the official AFL website to book tickets, find out about teams and more.

If you prefer culture over sport, Melbourne is a paradise of art galleries and museums. Get lost in the National Gallery, explore the NGV Design Store in Federation Square, and admire contemporary masterpieces at ARC ONE. Then there are museums, covering everything from immigration and Chinese culture to Hellenic history and Indigenous artefacts. For something a little off the beaten track check out the ANZ Banking Museum, housed in a magnificent Gothic-Revival building.

Melbourne is like a Pandora’s Box of secrets, just waiting to be discovered. In the city, ACDC Lane is an upbeat place to soak up the atmosphere. Sample Peruvian food and deconstructed ceviche at Pastuso, one of Melbourne’s in vogue fine dining restaurants.

Famous across Australia, Melbourne born Messina is a must. The gelato is divine, and there are a handful of locations across the city. Try the pandan & coconut. Ahhhmazing.

 

What’s your favourite way to pass the time in Melbourne? Are you a coffee buff? A culture nut? A shopping addict? We’d love to include your suggestions, so give us a shout and let us know how you’d spend 48 hours in Melbourne!