In November, we hopped across the pond to Australia to spend 10 days in Melbourne. The only time we've been to Australia before was a fleeting trip to Sydney, so we were really excited to spend longer there. D had to work for some of the trip, so I got a few days to explore the city on my own. Here's a quick low-down of my top 10 things I did whilst in Melbourne.
1: See the street art
Melbourne has some amazing street art, and not just in the obvious places (there are whole lanes dedicated to street art!). One of my favourite pieces I came across was just down a lane off one of the main roads. I was walking to the Parliament in the hopes of getting a tour (nerd alert), and saw this magnificent street out of the corner of my eye. So glad I went back to snap a photo!
One of the most popular places to see street art is Hosier Lane, where entire walls are covered. Even the bins and shutters outside haven't escaped the spray cans! The art here changes regularly, and was recently home to a massive mural of Lizzo (singer, rapper, and all-round total babe) and Celeste Barber (Australian comedian who raised MILLIONS of dollars for the Australian firefighters).
But you can also spot spectacular pieces of street art if you just keep your eyes peeled as you walk around... This artwork was spotted just outside one of the central metro stations on the side of a shopping mall!
2: Explore the culture of the First Nations People
If you've never been to Australia before, I highly recommend checking out some of the exhibitions and centres around Melbourne for an insight into the history of Australia and the First Nations People (aboriginals/indigenous people). This was a history that I had very limited knowledge of, and while I still have a lot to learn, there are a couple of exhibits that gave a good insight.
The first of these is the Koorie Heritage Trust. This is a small exhibition centre close to the central train station that promotes and supports the culture of Australia's indigenous population. It is home to a collection of artefacts, art and stories that build a great picture of the culture of Australia's First Nations, right up to the present day. The changing art exhibitions showcase local indigenous artists, and you can support these artists by purchasing some really great gifts or souvenirs in the shop.
The second place we visited was the Bunjilaka exhibit at Melbourne Museum. You have to pay to get into this exhibit, but I definitely think it is worth it. Be prepared to spend a couple of hours here, learning about the history of Australia's First Nations People, and the colonisation of Australia by Europeans. There are several exhibitions to walk through, all incorporating visual, audio, and written art and media to educate people on the identity, languages, culture, and history of the community. There is also an indigenous garden, with indigenous flora and fauna (and signs explaining how and what they would be used for), sculptures, and carvings. The whole exhibit is so interactive, it's a great way for kids and adults alike to experience and learn about the culture and history of Australia's First Nation People.
3: Drive the Great Ocean Road
If you are in Melbourne for a longer period of time, one of the absolute best things to do here is drive along the Great Ocean Road. The Great Ocean Road extends 243 kilometres along the south-east coast of Australia, from Torquay to Allansford. The road was built as a memorial to Australia's fallen soldiers in World War 1, and as such is the longest war memorial in the world!
The main hotspot for tourists driving this road is The Twelve Apostles. It can be reached in a day, but be warned - this is also the popular coach day trip from Melbourne, so it gets busy!! We knew this, and yet it still surprised us how many coaches we came across, and how busy the Twelve Apostles was when we finally got there.
The journey out to the Twelve Apostles is beautiful, and there are several places worth stopping; you could easily extend this to a two or three night trip. But if you're going to do it in a single day, like we did, get up EARLY. Like, really early. Set that alarm, pack breakfast, drinks and snacks, and get on the road before 7am if you're leaving from Melbourne. This route is hella popular, and getting stuck behind a line of coaches just isn't fun. Trust me.
If you're into surfing, stop at Torquay and Bell's Beach along the way (more on this later). If you're lucky, (or want to pay for the tour!) you can spot Kangaroos here, hopping across the golf course!
We stopped at a few of the small towns along the way to get views, and to eat lunch, including stopping at this cool lighthouse. If you're a 90s kid like me, you may remember the popular kids show Round the Twist.. well, this is the lighthouse from that series! A great place to stop early in the route.
As it got later in the day, it became increasingly clear how popular the route is, and we decided to push on rather than hang around to do any additional sightseeing. Then, finally, around 3pm, we saw the road signs for the Twelve Apostles!
I'm not quite sure what I was expecting for the Twelve Apostles, but there are big car parks, a visitor centre, and a proper boardwalk to get out to the views. It's incredibly touristy, but don't let this put you off visiting. It's still pretty spectacular, even on an overcast, windy, rainy day like when we visited, and even when the boardwalks are packed with tourists. A little patience will go a long way here.
4: Go to the beach
Melbourne has several beaches that are within a short tram ride of the centre, or if you're willing to go a little further, you can even get a surf in!
The first beach we visited was the famous St Kilda's beach, which is home to Luna Park amusement park, a gorgeous long sandy beach, and, my favourite thing about it... little blue penguins! St Kilda's is easily reachable from the city centre by taking a tram, and a short walk. It's a really vibrant little town, with a beautiful beach front to walk along, get a drink, or sunbathe. In the evenings, the little penguins come home to nest on the breakwater, but there's more on them later.
Another short tram ride away from the city centre is Brighton Beach. It's famous for its colourful huts, which can brighten up even an overcast day! It is a very instagrammable spot, as you can see from the busy photo below. The beach itself is a beautiful sandy stretch, but if you're looking for somewhere to set out the beach towel and tuck into a picnic, head further down the beach.
I mean, how cute are these beach huts?! I'll take one in every colour, thank you please.
Further afield, about an hour's drive along the Great Ocean Road, you can find one of the world's most famous surf breaks - Bell's Beach in Torquay. It was the setting for the final scene in Point Break! We didn't brave the surf (mainly because our mission that day was to get out to the Twelve Apostles) but it looked very appealing. The beach is host to one of the biggest Pro surfing championships in the world, so if that's your thing, head out here around April.
5: See the little blue penguins
Little blues are quite possibly my favourite bird. Full stop. End of discussion. You can't live in NZ and not develop a passion for birdlife, and these gorgeous little chappies have stolen my heart. They can also be found along the coast of Melbourne, where they nest in the breakwater at St Kilda's beach. If you're lucky, you can see some during the day - these will be the penguins who are moulting, and can't swim while they wait for new feathers to grow, or they will be nesting/raising chicks.
However, the main show is at night; little blues head out to sea during the day to feed, and come home at sunset to rest and feed their chicks, so head out to the breakwater just before sunset to secure a front-row seat to the show. There's no fee, and no seating as such, so be prepared to stand. But trust me, it's worth it to see these tiny (approx. 30 cm tall) penguins waddle home after a hard day swimming and catching fish. SO. CUTE.
It is important to remember that the breakwater is their home; be respectful, don't poke fingers or selfie sticks into the rocks, don't use a flash for photography at night, and give way to any penguins crossing. There are volunteers here to help remind people of these rules, and protect the birds and chicks. Be warned, if you're anything like me your face will ache from grinning after an evening here!
6: Visit the library
Ok, bear with me, this isn't as boring as it sounds! The State Library Victoria is the oldest public library in Australia, and one of the first free libraries in the world. It is probably most famous for its octagonal reading room, the Dome. And it really doesn't disappoint. You can enter the library for free, have a walk around, and view the exhibits that they have in the galleries around the dome and in other reading/exhibition rooms.
At the time it was completed, the glass dome in the Dome Reading Room was the largest in the world. And it really is quite a sight, nothing like the dingy libraries I remember from my student days!
7: Get a great view (the sky tower)
Ok, so this is a really touristy thing to do, and I probably wouldn't have done it if D hadn't been working, but boy am I glad I did. I booked tickets in advance, and saved it for a day when the weather was good. And, being the daredevil I am, I also booked the 'Sky Walk'. Unfortunately you're not allowed to take your own photos of the sky walk (sigh), and it is probably overpriced, but it was great fun! The Sky Walk is essentially a glass box that extends out beyond the edge of the building, so that you are standing on air. Not for the faint hearted!
You can go up the tower without doing the Sky Walk, and still get an incredible 360° view of the city, but you do need a ticket for this. However, you keep your feet on solid ground, no glass walkways!
8: Eat and Drink
There are a lot of websites, blog posts, and buzzfeed articles telling you where to eat, what food not to miss, and the best cocktail bars in town, so I won't go over old ground. Suffice to say that there are lots of great places to eat!
Queen Victoria Market is a great place to get a tasty barista coffee, or a delicious pastry for breakfast. Stock up on cheeses, cold cuts and fresh bread for a picnic before you head to the beach, or pick up something tasty for a snack in between all the fun activities! This Cronnoli was every bit as delicious as it looks.
If you're looking for more of a sit-down meal, try walking the many lanes in the south of the city. The bars and cafes here are also a great place to stop for a drink check the map or plan your next sightseeing adventure.
There are so many good little cafes, restaurants, dumpling bars, doughnut stores.. my best advice is to keep your eyes peeled, and feast! You definitely won't go hungry in Melbourne.
And if you're here at the right time of year, you could even get dinner at the Night Noodle Market. This is an annual festival of asian food, with an incredible variety from noodles, to meat kebabs, to dumplings, all in the centre of Melbourne with a great view of the skyline. The market takes place in Summer, around November, so check it out if you're heading to Melbourne at this time of year.
9: Walk the F1 track
This one's a bit niche for the Formula One fans out there, but even if you're not into motorsports, Albert park is a great green space in the city to wander around, get an ice cream, and enjoy a good view of the skyline.
If you are into F1, then you can walk most of the 3km circuit, or even drive it (check ahead, as the road is closed for race prep/race season three months of the year). It was quite a thrill to walk the pit lane, imagining the sounds of the pit crew changing tyres, or the race winner up on the grandstand.
10: Go for a walk
I believe that the best way to explore a new city is by foot. You get to take your time, and end up seeing some parts of the city that you just wouldn't get to by train or bus.
The slower pace allows you to look around, and up, and find interesting views, to peek the old buildings against the shiny new high rises. You can pick up some leaflets and maps for suggested walking tours at the information centres, or online. For example, there's a recommended 'Lanes' tour here, a tour of Aboriginal Melbourne here, or a Melbourne music walk here. There are so many interesting things to see, and walking is a great way to take the time to really appreciate the sights. So pack some comfy shoes!
Comments