Plan Book Travel Australia

To the North

The suburbs to the north of Melbourne are a multicultural delight, offering theatres, galleries and restaurants among the more bohemian bookshops, specialty stores and eateries. For more shopping, the streets of Brunswick, Carlton, Collingwood, Fitzroy and Richmond have an array of stores.

The University of Melbourne meant that Carlton was for a long time the place of student digs. Today, the dominant style is distinctly Italian, with restaurants, cafes, cinemas and shops lining the streets. Not too far from the university is Melbourne Cemetery, a unique attraction with fascinating theme tours and even an Elvis Presley memorial.

The domed Royal Exhibition Building, constructed in 1880 for the World Fair, is located in the picturesque Carlton Gardens. Today it is host to the many exhibitions, concerts, balls and expos of the city. Right next door, the very modern Melbourne Museum is innovative and interactive.

For lovers of nightlife, these northern suburbs are full of creative nights out. Everything from cinema, comedy, dance, theatre, jazz and rock, to world music can be found in these streets.

To the West

To the west is Footscray where it is worth taking the 6am breakfast tour of the Wholesale Fruit and Vegetable Market and the National Flower Centre, or perhaps a cruise on the Maribyrnong River.

To the East

Visit the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG), home to Australian cricket and Aussie Rules Football, with its seating capacity of 100 000. Why not book a ticket to a cricket match or AFL game to see what the fuss is all about. Pop into the Australian Gallery of Sport and Olympic Museum to find out about the stadium and history of the Olympic Games.

A must-see is the Museum of Modern Art at Heidelberg.

To the South

The art, culture and history of Melbourne are not limited to the CBD. In the south, galleries and shopping abound, with the added delight of beaches and parks.

St Kilda, one of the most well known spots in outer Melbourne, is not only a beachside address, but also a cosmopolitan centre of food (don't miss the delicious cakes in Acland St), boutiques, art, entertainment and history. Some places of interest include St Kilda Pier; the Esplanade Hotel; the National and Astor theatres; or perhaps even take a Penguin Waters Cruise.

South of the Yarra River, Southgate is the spot for arts and entertainment and the Crown Entertainment Complex includes a casino.

Part of the reason for Victoria's claim as the 'Garden State' is Melbourne's gracious parks, including Flagstaff Gardens, Royal Botanic Gardens, Treasury Gardens and Parliament House Gardens.