Seaside Morning Delights
In Melbourne, the coffee culture flourishes ubiquitously, and avant-garde culinary trends often find a foothold here. Case in point is the Matcha Mylkbar, a vegan hotspot tucked away in the scenic St Kilda suburb. Particularly noteworthy is their offering of vivid blue-hued algae lattes, which quickly gained popularity. An approving verdict of "not at all unpalatable" from the esteemed Good Food website further attests to its unique appeal.
The vibrantly hued, vegan-friendly dishes at Melbourne's Matcha Mylkbar aren't just a feast for the eyes, but also satisfy even the most discerning palate. The cuisine is so exceptional that it's even earned approval from two-thirds of the Hemsworth brothers.
If you're a more traditional coffee drinker, bustling Carlisle Street won't disappoint. In particular, the Galleon Cafe is beloved by locals for its expertly brewed coffee and welcoming ambiance. Factually, the Galleon Cafe has been a part of the Carlisle Street scene for over 50 years, and its original 1960s decor enhances its vintage charm.
A post-feast promenade along the picturesque St Kilda Esplanade provides an opportunity to digest both your food and the charming sights. Australian musician Paul Kelly famously declared it as valuable as the entirety of Sydney harbour. For those who might not know, Paul Kelly is considered one of Australia's greatest songwriters and has enjoyed a career spanning four decades.
Take in some culture
Embark on a cultural journey as you explore the rich and vibrant indigenous art of the eminent artist Madigan Thomas on display at the National Gallery of Victoria.
The internationally renowned Gallery of Victoria, nestled in Southbank, showcases the brilliance of world-class artists and designers from around the globe. Erected in 1968, the edifice is an exemplification of the finesse of the Australian modernist architect, Sir Roy Grounds. Post an extensive refurbishing process in 2003, it was reintroduced to the public as the NGV International. A few strides away, located in Federation Square, stands the Ian Potter Centre. Specializing in local artistry, the centre conducts numerous exhibitions hosting the works of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander artists.
After a fulfilling day exploring the mesmerizing landmarks and the rich cultural heritage of Victoria, you might want to rest in the comfortable confines of a hotel room. Whether you are an art connoisseur or a traveler looking to explore the city, you can find a variety of Victoria hotels in Lygon Street on www.hotelsinvictoria.net which are located in the cultural heart of the city.
These two cultural landmarks, divided by the Yarra river, lie in close vicinity to the Australian Centre for the Moving Image (ACMI). Federation Square guarantees entertainment for sports and culture enthusiasts alike by hosting varied events on large-scale screens.
A Meal in Minutes
Italian pork based options at Saluministi, Flinders Lane
Staff at Saluministi work in a sort of well, half a floor below the waiting customers, which makes ordering slightly disconcerting. Nevertheless, this cafe on Flinders Lane (there’s another in Docklands) is a good lunch option. It began life as a stand at the Melbourne Salami Festa and remains true to theme, offering mainly pork-based options in fresh, chewy Italian rolls – a slow-roasted pork, artichoke and pecorino panini costs A$12 (£7.30). The food is authentically Italian while the coffee and the line-art pig logo are pure Melbourne. The sunken kitchen gives a bird’s-eye view of brisk staff preparing the panini, but there’s minimal seating, so collect your sandwich in its needlessly large paper bag and wander down to Southbank and eat overlooking the Yarra.
Meet the original owners
Burrinja Gallery
An hour east of the city is the beautiful bushland of the Dandenong Ranges, where the Wurundjeri people offer walking tours. The Wurundjeri are the “traditional owners” of the Melbourne area, part of the Woiwurrung language group, one of five groups that make up the Kulin nation. T heir Bullen Bullen cultural tours begin with a Tanderrum welcoming ceremony. After guests have walked through the sacred smoke, guides lead them around the bushland, explaining how people lived traditionally. On the way back to the city is the Burrinja Cultural Centre, the place to see Fish and Leaves, a work by famous Yorta Yorta artist Lin Onus, plus temporary exhibitions, music, and theatre.
One- hour guided tours run at 11am and 2pm Tues, Fri, Sat and Sun, £18pp, wurundjericulturaltours.com.au
Dinner and dessert
Tokyo Tina
The northern end of Chapel Street in South Yarra is one of Melbourne’s main shopping destinations, but its other end can be much more interesting. Catch a number 78 tram 1½ miles south to Windsor for dinner at Tokyo Tina, a Japanese fusion restaurant, with a bar to drink at while you wait for a table. Kingfish sashimi cones (£4 each) and miso ramen (from £6) are particularly good. After dinner, walk back up Chapel Street, weaving through street diners, for award-winning ice-cream from Gelato Messina at number 171. It’s very hard to choose from the 40 flavours (they offer free samples) but I can’t resist the macadamia crunch. Pay by cash (or mobile – they don’t take cards.
Drink with the band
Cherry Bar Photograph: PR
Melbourne has great live music and the best place to bump into musicians after a gig is Cherry Bar, on appropriately named AC/DC Lane particularly after shows at the nearby Forum. The narrow bar hosts a full calendar of artists and DJs, and on Mondays the stage is open to anyone with their own drumsticks. The darkened windows and loud music make it feel like the wrong side of 5am any time of day. Down the alley is a brand new doorway cut into a wall that until earlier this year hosted one of the last Banksys left in Melbourne.
Go exploring
Street art on the wall of the Night Cat music venue in Fitzroy. Photograph: Richard I'Anson/Getty Images
Put on a pair of walking shoes and explore the inner-city Fitzroy district. In the late 19th century, this became a haven for Aboriginal people trying to escape the clutches of the Half-Caste Act, which aimed to separate families of mixed descent. Pick up or download a map of the Fitzroy Aboriginal Heritage Walking Trail and follow the story of black activism. Fitzroy has some of the best street art in the city and lots of vintage boutiques, bars and coffee shops. Keep the history theme going at Stagger Lee’s at 276 Brunswick Street, a cafe named for the American outlaw named in that Nick Cave song. It’s owned by the same people as Fitzroy coffee shop Proud Mary but, in an important distinction, is licensed to serve alcohol.
Have a picnic
Fitzroy Gardens Photograph: Getty Images
The 36-hectare Royal Botanic Gardens on the banks of the Yarra have more than 8,500 plant species on display and regular guided tours. But if you’re feeling more like flopping on the sunny grass than indulging your inner botanist, head to Fitzroy Gardens. Named for Sir Charles Augustus Fitzroy, governor of the Australian colonies in the mid-19th century, the gardens are also home to a cottage once inhabited by the family of Captain James Cook, which was purchased by the state of Victoria in 1933 and transplanted from North Yorkshire in 253 packing cases.
Take a day trip
Rosebud pier and the coastline of Mornington peninsula. Photograph: Alamy
The Yarra Valley is the famous wine region but a combination of great cellar doors (tasting rooms) and restaurants, and proximity to the beach makes Mornington peninsula a better day out. (Plus, just quietly, I think the wine’s better, too.) Head to Stonier Wines, one of the oldest estates in the region, and ask if they have any single vineyard chardonnay for tasting. (The region is also known for its pinot noir.) A little way north in Red Hill is Foxeys Hangout, where winemaker Tony Lee matches tapas of locally grown produce – such as mushroom sausage rolls or braised leeks with goat’s curd – with his own wines.
Hire a bike
Pick up a bike from one of the many Bike Share stations around the centre and head out along the 38km Yarra Trail, which begins at the river mouth at Docklands and follows the Yarra on a winding path through the northeastern suburbs. The path was originally designed for pedestrians, so there is the odd flight of stairs requiring a minor detour, but the stream of cyclists make it difficult to get lost. Helmets are compulsory when riding a bicycle in Australia, so remember to pick up a (free) helmet with your hire bike or face a hefty fine.