Guidebook for Melbourne
Food Scene
Fantastic choice for breakfast and brunch. Hardware Sociètè is a very popular cafè and brings many people to the laneway.
Crowds of people gather here everyday for their great food as it's rated one of the best breakfast cafés in Melbourne.
413 locals recommend
The Hardware Société Melbourne
10 Katherine PlCrowds of people gather here everyday for their great food as it's rated one of the best breakfast cafés in Melbourne.
Try their awesome donuts, heaps of flavours to choose from.
59 locals recommend
Shortstop Coffee & Donuts
12 Sutherland StTry their awesome donuts, heaps of flavours to choose from.
Amigos Hardware Lane
75-77 Hardware LnModern Mexican restaurant
Take a wander through Melbourne’s Chinatown and stop for a delicious dinner at one of the many restaurants.
464 locals recommend
Chinatown Precinct
35 Market LnTake a wander through Melbourne’s Chinatown and stop for a delicious dinner at one of the many restaurants.
Ten Square Cafe
Rated 5 stars on trip advisor, check it out!
If you can’t decide what to eat then head up to the food court on level 3 of Emporium. It is a light filled, upmarket food court with great restaurants & nice seating.
773 locals recommend
Emporium Melbourne
287 Lonsdale StIf you can’t decide what to eat then head up to the food court on level 3 of Emporium. It is a light filled, upmarket food court with great restaurants & nice seating.
If you want an experience style restaurant/bar try Moljner right next door to the apartment. It is a Viking inspired venue with a menu inspired by 1000 year old recipes.
Viking iconography is carved into shields, drinking horns, axes and even ornate handmade knives – a selection of which diners are invited to choose from as their weapon of choice at the beginning of their meal.
The venue is split into two levels; the main dining room on the ground floor and a cocktail bar in the basement, and the drinks are a big focus. Dinner begins with a complimentary Stone Skål – an amber shot of stone-boiled vermouth, mead and honey.
Mjølner Melbourne
106 Hardware StIf you want an experience style restaurant/bar try Moljner right next door to the apartment. It is a Viking inspired venue with a menu inspired by 1000 year old recipes.
Viking iconography is carved into shields, drinking horns, axes and even ornate handmade knives – a selection of which diners are invited to choose from as their weapon of choice at the beginning of their meal.
The venue is split into two levels; the main dining room on the ground floor and a cocktail bar in the basement, and the drinks are a big focus. Dinner begins with a complimentary Stone Skål – an amber shot of stone-boiled vermouth, mead and honey.
Drinks & Nightlife
Sophisticated, moody atmosphere, great for cocktails on a night out.
228 locals recommend
Charlie's Bar
71 Hardware LaneSophisticated, moody atmosphere, great for cocktails on a night out.
A hidden gem within the heart of Melbourne’s CBD, La La Land is the perfect place for an intimate date night, an after work catch up or a get together with friends. With a range of comfortable couches and an open smoking balcony it is a relaxed atmosphere with a focus on the highest quality service of classic cocktails, wine, beers, whisky & other spirits.
Just a few steps from the apartment.
45 locals recommend
La La Land CBD
125 Hardware StA hidden gem within the heart of Melbourne’s CBD, La La Land is the perfect place for an intimate date night, an after work catch up or a get together with friends. With a range of comfortable couches and an open smoking balcony it is a relaxed atmosphere with a focus on the highest quality service of classic cocktails, wine, beers, whisky & other spirits.
Just a few steps from the apartment.
Getting Around
Closest Train Station, just take the escalators down to the lower level of Melbourne Central. Also where you can top up the Myki travel cards provided for you.
849 locals recommend
Melbourne Central Station
Closest Train Station, just take the escalators down to the lower level of Melbourne Central. Also where you can top up the Myki travel cards provided for you.
The airport bus called the 'Sky Bus' stops at Southern Cross Station and you can also find luggage lockers here too.
646 locals recommend
Southern Cross Station
The airport bus called the 'Sky Bus' stops at Southern Cross Station and you can also find luggage lockers here too.
Flinders Street station has trains running overnight while the other city stations close.
FLINDERS STREET STATION
Flinders Street station has trains running overnight while the other city stations close.
Shopping
One of the largest shopping centres in Australia, take a wander and find a retail paradise. Also connects to Melbourne Central.
773 locals recommend
Emporium Melbourne
287 Lonsdale StOne of the largest shopping centres in Australia, take a wander and find a retail paradise. Also connects to Melbourne Central.
The historic GPO was designed by the famous architect Walter Burley Griffin in 1919. Today the sunny steps and colonnades wrap around two entire floors dedicated to H&M's range of fashion, cosmetics and homewares on the corner of Bouke St and Elizabeth St.
37 locals recommend
H&M
350 Bourke StThe historic GPO was designed by the famous architect Walter Burley Griffin in 1919. Today the sunny steps and colonnades wrap around two entire floors dedicated to H&M's range of fashion, cosmetics and homewares on the corner of Bouke St and Elizabeth St.
The Bourke Street Mall is a pedestrian and tram-only strip running between Swanston and Elizabeth Streets. The mall is Bourke Street's most famous feature and contains retail hubs like Melbourne's GPO, H&M, Zara, Cotton On and the flagship stores of Myer and David Jones.
412 locals recommend
Bourke Street Mall
Bourke Street MallThe Bourke Street Mall is a pedestrian and tram-only strip running between Swanston and Elizabeth Streets. The mall is Bourke Street's most famous feature and contains retail hubs like Melbourne's GPO, H&M, Zara, Cotton On and the flagship stores of Myer and David Jones.
Queen Victoria Market is an authentic, bustling, inner-city market that has been the heart and soul of Melbourne for 140 years. Home to over 600 small businesses, it is a great place to discover fresh and specialty produce, hand-made and unique products, great coffee and food, souvenirs and clothing.
While you’re here, make sure you visit String Bean Alley which is home to a colourful collection of Melbourne’s best independent makers, creators, designers and artists.
Be sure to take the Ultimate Foodie Tour, a two-hour guided walking tour where you’ll taste the freshest produce, discover unique ingredients, learn tips and tricks for shopping and cooking, discover the Market's history. Bookings essential at the website.
Queen Victoria Market is also home to the Winter Night Market on Wednesday nights, showcasing global street food, live music and entertainment.
957 locals recommend
Queen Victoria Market
Queen StreetQueen Victoria Market is an authentic, bustling, inner-city market that has been the heart and soul of Melbourne for 140 years. Home to over 600 small businesses, it is a great place to discover fresh and specialty produce, hand-made and unique products, great coffee and food, souvenirs and clothing.
While you’re here, make sure you visit String Bean Alley which is home to a colourful collection of Melbourne’s best independent makers, creators, designers and artists.
Be sure to take the Ultimate Foodie Tour, a two-hour guided walking tour where you’ll taste the freshest produce, discover unique ingredients, learn tips and tricks for shopping and cooking, discover the Market's history. Bookings essential at the website.
Queen Victoria Market is also home to the Winter Night Market on Wednesday nights, showcasing global street food, live music and entertainment.
Bringing together more than 300 retailers over five levels, Melbourne Central is home to a range of flagship stores.
Spanning two city blocks, the centre boasts several unique architectural features including the giant Marionette Watch hanging in Shot Tower Square, famous for its hourly rendition of the Australian anthem 'Waltzing Matilda'. The square is named after the historic Coops Shot Tower a bullet-making facility built in 1889. Today, the brick shot tower stands proudly in its original place, protected by a modern twist: the magnificent Glass Cone, designed in the '80s by Japanese architect Kisho Kurokawa. While it floods the centre with natural light, the Glass Cone's design also makes it one of Melbourne's most recognisable landmarks.
313 locals recommend
Melbourne Central
Swanston StreetBringing together more than 300 retailers over five levels, Melbourne Central is home to a range of flagship stores.
Spanning two city blocks, the centre boasts several unique architectural features including the giant Marionette Watch hanging in Shot Tower Square, famous for its hourly rendition of the Australian anthem 'Waltzing Matilda'. The square is named after the historic Coops Shot Tower a bullet-making facility built in 1889. Today, the brick shot tower stands proudly in its original place, protected by a modern twist: the magnificent Glass Cone, designed in the '80s by Japanese architect Kisho Kurokawa. While it floods the centre with natural light, the Glass Cone's design also makes it one of Melbourne's most recognisable landmarks.
Arts & Culture
Visit Melbourne Museum for immersive exhibits it has history, culture, language, and animal exhibits, as well as the largest IMAX screen in the world.
Visit Melbourne Museum for immersive exhibits it has history, culture, language, and animal exhibits, as well as the largest IMAX screen in the world.
593 locals recommend
Melbourne Museum
11 Nicholson StVisit Melbourne Museum for immersive exhibits it has history, culture, language, and animal exhibits, as well as the largest IMAX screen in the world.
Visit the busiest library in Australia and the third globally, with two million visitors a year the Victorian State Library is a stunning Australian landmark.
One of the most iconic architectural features of the State Library is its historic Reading Room, with its magnificent dome.
568 locals recommend
State Library Victoria
328 Swanston StVisit the busiest library in Australia and the third globally, with two million visitors a year the Victorian State Library is a stunning Australian landmark.
One of the most iconic architectural features of the State Library is its historic Reading Room, with its magnificent dome.
ACMI is Australia's national museum of screen culture, located in Fed Square, Melbourne. Navigate the universe of film, TV, videogames and art with us.
258 locals recommend
ACMI
Flinders StreetACMI is Australia's national museum of screen culture, located in Fed Square, Melbourne. Navigate the universe of film, TV, videogames and art with us.
A visit to Arts Centre Melbourne doesn't stop at the stage; the Australian Performing Arts Collection, the Australian Music Vault, daily guided tours & Sunday backstage tour. The Sunday crafts market is well worth a look too.
288 locals recommend
Arts Centre Melbourne
100 St Kilda RdA visit to Arts Centre Melbourne doesn't stop at the stage; the Australian Performing Arts Collection, the Australian Music Vault, daily guided tours & Sunday backstage tour. The Sunday crafts market is well worth a look too.
First Peoples arts and cultural organisation providing opportunities for all to learn, connect and re-connect with the rich living cultural heritage of Aboriginal Victoria.
Enjoy a range of authentic Victorian Aboriginal experiences from the Birrarung Wilam (River Camp) walk; one of the largest collections of Koorie art and artefacts on permanent display; an annual exhibition program showcasing local Aboriginal artists; plus, an opportunity to purchase handcrafted locally made gifts.
Located at Fed Square, Free entry.
11 locals recommend
Koorie Heritage Trust
Swanston StreetFirst Peoples arts and cultural organisation providing opportunities for all to learn, connect and re-connect with the rich living cultural heritage of Aboriginal Victoria.
Enjoy a range of authentic Victorian Aboriginal experiences from the Birrarung Wilam (River Camp) walk; one of the largest collections of Koorie art and artefacts on permanent display; an annual exhibition program showcasing local Aboriginal artists; plus, an opportunity to purchase handcrafted locally made gifts.
Located at Fed Square, Free entry.
The NGV holds the most significant collection of art in the region; a vast treasury of more than 76,000 including Pablo Picasso, Tom Roberts & Fredrick McCubbin. It is also home to a famous masterpiece, Giambattista Tiepolo’s- ‘The Banquet of Cleopatra.’
1737 locals recommend
National Gallery of Victoria
180 St Kilda RdThe NGV holds the most significant collection of art in the region; a vast treasury of more than 76,000 including Pablo Picasso, Tom Roberts & Fredrick McCubbin. It is also home to a famous masterpiece, Giambattista Tiepolo’s- ‘The Banquet of Cleopatra.’
Parks & Nature
The best park in Melbourne is The Royal Botanic Gardens.
Park
One of Melbourne's most beautiful green spaces, it features a cactus garden, a fern gully, children’s garden, chauffeured boat hire on the lake, height tea, walking tours, cafe’s and the Botanical Hotel for fine dining.
1262 locals recommend
Royal Botanic Gardens Victoria
The best park in Melbourne is The Royal Botanic Gardens.
Park
One of Melbourne's most beautiful green spaces, it features a cactus garden, a fern gully, children’s garden, chauffeured boat hire on the lake, height tea, walking tours, cafe’s and the Botanical Hotel for fine dining.
Flagstaff Gardens is the oldest park in Melbourne, Victoria, Australia, first established in 1862. Today it is one of the most visited and widely used parks in the city by residents, nearby office workers and tourists. The gardens are notable for their archaeological, horticultural, historical and social significance to the history of Melbourne.
312 locals recommend
Flagstaff Gardens
309-311 William StFlagstaff Gardens is the oldest park in Melbourne, Victoria, Australia, first established in 1862. Today it is one of the most visited and widely used parks in the city by residents, nearby office workers and tourists. The gardens are notable for their archaeological, horticultural, historical and social significance to the history of Melbourne.
Entertainment & Activities
There is always something happening at Crown from live entertainment to themed displays and riverside festivals, Crown truly is A World of Entertainment.
Even if you are not a gambler it’s still fun to wander around, there are lots of other things to see and do.
Located on the south bank of the Yarra River, Crown Melbourne has a casino, three hotels, function rooms, award winning restaurants and shopping and entertainment facilities.
578 locals recommend
Crown Casino and Entertainment Complex
8 Whiteman StThere is always something happening at Crown from live entertainment to themed displays and riverside festivals, Crown truly is A World of Entertainment.
Even if you are not a gambler it’s still fun to wander around, there are lots of other things to see and do.
Located on the south bank of the Yarra River, Crown Melbourne has a casino, three hotels, function rooms, award winning restaurants and shopping and entertainment facilities.
Visit the Southern Hemisphere's highest observation deck. Choose general admission to go up and see the views from 300m high or thrill seekers can choose the edge experience which suspends you in a transparent glass cube that projects three metres out from the Skydeck, leaving guests suspended nearly 300 metres above the streets. There are also VR walk the plank activities and an immersive 6D theatre.
The city looks the most pretty at sunset or when it’s lit up in the evening.
537 locals recommend
Eureka Skydeck
7 Riverside QuayVisit the Southern Hemisphere's highest observation deck. Choose general admission to go up and see the views from 300m high or thrill seekers can choose the edge experience which suspends you in a transparent glass cube that projects three metres out from the Skydeck, leaving guests suspended nearly 300 metres above the streets. There are also VR walk the plank activities and an immersive 6D theatre.
The city looks the most pretty at sunset or when it’s lit up in the evening.