Last month, my travel group decided to visit Melbourne on a whim (as normal). I easily gave in to this impromptu trip because Melbourne is one of my favorite cities in the world. I am asked all the time as to which is my most favorite place in the world that I have been to. It’s a hard question to give just one answer to, but if I were to chose another city to live in, Melbourne will be high on the list. I love it mainly for its artsy vibe, and the cool places to eat and drink.
If you’re visiting Melbourne for the first time, here is a list of places you’d like to check out first, plus instagrammable places.
(1) Flinder Station [map]
Flinders Street Station was the first railway station built in Australia. It opened on September 12th 1854 and remains one of the most iconic building in Melbourne and Australia.
Flinder Station in Melbourne CBD
(2) Hosier Lane Street Art [map]
Hosier Lane is a brightly lit lane well known for its quirky bars and graffiti art which adorns the lane’s brick walls. Hosier Lane have been approved by the City of Melbourne as registered street artwork.
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(3) Melbourne Museum [map]
Melbourne Museum is a natural and cultural museum. It is one of the biggest museum in Australia. One of the most interesting buildings in Melbourne City is the children area in Melbourne Museum that is a giant rubik’s cube.
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(4) Fitzroy Street [map]
Fitzroy is one of Melbourne’s treasure and my favorite area. It’s a lively bohemian suburb with eclectic bars and cafes. It’s also a place to hunt for cool vintage items. Street art covers the narrow backstreets, where small galleries sit alongside pubs and terrace houses.
Yesteryears in Fitzroy
(5) Victoria Market [map]
The Queen Victoria Market is a major landmark in Melbourne, Australia. The Queen Victoria Market is the largest and most intact surviving 19th century market in the city.
Queen Victoria Market
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(6) St. Kilda [map]
St Kilda attractions include this cute heritage house at the end of the pier. Seems like a long walk for a cute photo, but you’ll be rewarded at the back of this kiosk is where you find the cutest “urban” penguins up close!
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(7) Luna Park [map]
Melbourne’s Luna Park is a historic amusement Park in St Kilda. It has been in continuous operation since 1912! However it is only open on weekends and holiday during school season. But you can come and take great photo here at the nightmare inducing entrance gate. I love the nostalgic feel of St Kilda.
To get there take the 96 tram all the way to Luna Park.
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(8) Brighton Beach Huts [map]
I’m obsessed with these 82 Vintage Brighton Bathing Boxes in #Melbourne seaside. They were once used as women’s changing shed and today as selfie backdrop. As they are no longer being built, one can go for as high as A$280,000 and you have to have a property in Brighton before being allowed to purchase one.
To Get There: By train from Flinders Street Station to Brighton Beach Station takes 20min
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(9) Yarra Valley
The Yarra Valley is the region surrounding the Yarra River in Victoria, Australia. It’s amazing how in just one hour drive away from Melbourne CBD, you’ll be in a place with rolling green hills, rows of vineyards and old farmhouses.
The Weekenders
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(10) Tessalaar Tulip Festival
From mid September to mid October, Tessalaar is open season for tulips. It is rows and rows of beautiful tulip flowers. Entrance ticket is at A$28 for adult. Drones not allowed.
To get there: Train from Melbourne station to Lilydale Station. Then catch the Bus 663 that departs 3-5 minutes the train arrives Lilydale. The bus is every 30minutes so if you missed it, and you’re lucky there is taxi around the station (like what happened to us), it cost about AU$15 or 20?
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There! That is pretty much the places I’ve visited in Melbourne. I’ll try to add more later with some of the cool cafes, restaurants in Melbourn. So please bookmark and check back next time.
Where to Stay in Melbourne?
If you’re headed for Melbourne or anywhere in Australia soon, have a look at Hotels.com I use this because it lets you earn points per night for free stays. For the next 2 days, take advantage of their biggest Hotels.com Black Friday Sale where hotels are going for discounts of 50% and more.
About Visa to Australia for Philippine Passport Holders
Filipinos visiting Australia need visa. Here is a step by step guide on applying visas to Australia Online. Or if you rather go thru an agency so they can help you check your document, go to this guide on Applying Visa to Australia thru VFS.
The National Gallery of Victoria: One of the oldest and most significant art museums in Australia, featuring a wide range of art from around the world.
Wow nice photos! Thank you for sharing your visit to Melbourne. I’ve always wanted to visit Australia since I have some relatives there but still I don’t have the chance to right now. Wish I can go to these places too.