Melbourne
Located in the state of Victoria, Melbourne is home to culture, nightlife, coffee, beach and food (so everything you really need). It was also voted one of the top places to live!
Best places to stay:
- Base St. Kilda: rated as one of the top Hippest Hostels with great facilities throughout.
- Habitat HQ, St Kilda: stay 'guilt free' in the first carbon neutral backpacker hostel in Melbourne and experience the best of St Kilda.
- United Backpackers Melbourne: situated opposite of the iconic Flinders Street Station, with brand new facilities, spaces to chill or play (including a rad basement bar)
Top things to do:
- Fitzroy: reflects the 'Bohemian' side of Melbourne. Brunswick street is the focus with welcoming bookshops, antique clothing and retro shops
- St Kilda: Melbourne's famed beach side neighborhood with outdoor pubs and cafes, antique theaters, historic amusement park and classic beach side kiosks. You can also drink on the streets between 11AM-6PM daily!
- CBD (Central Business District) has an abundance of hidden cafes, restaurants and bars that pack it's narrow lane ways. There are heaps of little gems in this area, especially if you search down alleys. Check out Hosier Lane and Rutledge Lane to see some rad graffiti.
- Need coffee? Lygon Street in Carlton boasts espresso and pastries just like nonna makes them.
- Drive down the famous Great Ocean Road and experience the 12 apostles, this stretch of coastline is gorgeous and perfect for cruising.
- Go to Phillip Island to experience iconic Australian wildlife (check out the penguins!), stunning white beaches and surf culture.
Food & Drink:
Cocktail Bars
-Black Pearl: If bar tending was an academic pursuit, The Black Pearl would be Harvard, Yale and Oxford combined. The bar staff all have PhDs in cocktails (and at least one Bartender of the Year award).
-Eau De Vie: Intimate, dimly lit, jazz infused and its delectable cocktails, Eau De Vie is an absolute pleasure. When the bartender has to don gloves and goggles to prepare a flammable mix, it’s clear this is something they take very seriously.
Laneway Bars
-Bar Americano: Bar Americano fits maximum 15 patrons and the squeeze holds the key to its charm, but the polished wood, pressed aluminium and checkerboard tiles also endear. Knock back daytime espressos and by night sip on unadulterated cocktails.
-Whitehart: Perch in this two-storey container bar and sip on craft beer, cocktails, boutique wines and feast on bar snacks from a rotating line-up of local food vendors.
- Section 8: A uniquely Melbourne bar experience, Section 8 is on the surface at least, two shipping containers in a car park. When dusk settles and the bar's Chinese lanterns start glowing, the nearby art frescoes light up a fascinating microcosm of Melburnians enjoying unpretentious drinks and delectable audio offerings.
Rooftop Bars
-Naked in the Sky: Head upstairs to Fitzroy favourite Naked in the Sky for spectacular rooftop views of the city and the Dandenong Ranges. Scour the drinks list for a choice of vodka, craft beer or Spanish rosé to accompany crispy quail and beans or slow-cooked cider beef cheek.
-Rooftop Bar: A beloved Melbourne institution, Rooftop Bar is set seven storeys atop the popular Curtin House. With jaw-dropping views of the CBD skyline, it's little wonder that during the summer months the venue also hosts movies after sunset.
-Madame Brussels: where cocktails, drinks, refreshing punches, cupcakes and cucumber sandwiches can be taken upon the rather fancy terrace. Should the weather prove too cold for outdoors, simply move to the indoor garden settings upon lush green grass lawn.
Wandering around this city, you can find hole in the wall restaurants and cafes down alleyways, areas covered in graffiti, go to festivals that are year round, enjoy the sports games, have some snags on the bbq at the numerous beaches. Melbourne is known for it's culture and artsy feels, a definite place to visit.