Melbourne was named the world’s most liveable city 7 years in a row from 2011 and 2017, and for good reason. Melbourne is an eccentric city filled to the brim with world-class restaurants, cultural diversity, and extraordinary art and culture.
There is something for everyone in this multicultural metropolis. Whether you’re a hipster or simply a lover of food, coffee, art, shopping, entertainment, or sports, Melbourne is a destination you must add to your bucket list.
Need more convincing? Here is why Melbourne is, in our opinion, the best city in Australia.
Getting Around is Easy
If you are staying within close proximity to the CBD, you shouldn’t be more than a hop, skip and a jump from the closest tram stop. So whether you’re staying at a service apartment in North Melbourne such as RNR Melbourne or a hotel in the dead centre of the CBD you won’t find it difficult to make your way around.
Thanks to Melbourne’s extensive tram and rail network getting anywhere in the city is easy.
If you plan to explore the Melbourne CBD by foot you will be happy to know that the city is easy to navigate. Unlike Sydney, Melbourne is built around an easy to navigate grid system.
If you plan to drive, just make sure you brush up on the road rules and maybe take some lessons on how to do a hook turn, and how to share the road with trams.
The Intricate Laneway Systems
In most cities around the world, you probably won’t want to hang out in alleyways for too long. This certainly isn’t the case in Melbourne. A lot of Melbourne’s best restaurants, cafes, bars and street art can be found within the city’s laneways.
Each laneway offers something different and all are unique in their own ways. Melbourne has over 40 laneways and arcades to traverse.
Here are the best laneways to explore:
Best for coffee: Pretty much any cafe on Hardware lane! However, for the very best that this beloved laneway has to offer, try Max on Hardware or Hash Specialty Coffee
Best for restaurants: You will be spoiled for choice of some of Melbourne’s best restaurants in Flinders Lane. Flinders Lane is home to Chin Chin, Supernormal and Ezard… just to name a few.
Best for Street Art: Hosier Lane is famous for its detailed and vast amount of street art. This laneway is the perfect backdrop for some Instagram worthy shots. For some star-spotting, head down to Drewery and Sniders Lane to spot the 30-foot mural featuring a topless Kim Kardashian and Emily Ratajkowski.
Best for bars: Head on to Eau De Vie in Malthouse Lane for some classy cocktails. If you’re lucky you may find a hidden lounge behind a bookcase!
The Food and Coffee Culture
If you have travelled broadly you may have noticed that a lot of the food and coffee served in cafes and diners is usually below average. This certainly isn’t the case in Melbourne. Melbourne takes its food and coffee seriously. The standard of food and coffee in Melbourne’s restaurants and cafes is impeccable.
Thanks to Melbourne being a multicultural city you can feast on authentic cuisine from all over the world. You will find authentic Italian food on Lygon Street in Carlton ( Little Italy), Authentic Chinese hot pot, dumplings and yum cha in Chinatown and incredible Vietnamese cuisine in Springvale, St Albans and Footscray.
The Shopping
Melbourne is often referred to as the fashion capital of Australia. There are countless places to shop in Melbourne. Melbourne has everything you can think of. Whether you like vintage bazaars, quirky arcades, factory outlets, markets or mega malls Melbourne will have something for you.
Melbourne is also home to the largest shopping centre in the Southern Hemisphere— Chadstone. You can spend a whole day exploring Chadstone and you still won’t explore every store this mega mall has to offer.
Other notable shopping destinations include:
- Chapel Street, South Yarra, Prahran
- Queen Victoria Market
- South Melbourne Market
- Melbourne Emporium
- Bridge Road, Richmond
- Melbourne Central
- Bourke Street, Melbourne CBD
- Brunswick Street, Fitzroy
All things said Melbourne is a unique Australian travel destination. What it lacks in hot weather and immaculate beaches it makes up for in its culture and eccentricity.
What are you waiting for? Come on down to Melbourne and discover why this is such an amazing city for yourself!
