Guests can take the train, bus or iconic tramcar from their accommodations in Melbourne to visit Victoria’s Houses of Parliament, cathedrals, the Victorian Arts Centre and the Eureka SkyDeck, the hemisphere’s highest viewing platform. Each city precinct has distinct characteristics, from pubs hidden on laneways to concentrations of high-fashion boutiques.
Finding nature can be as close as the paths of the Royal Botanic Gardens or as far-reaching as a day trip up the Great Ocean Road to the 12 Apostles, rock towers in the sea. Be sure to check out local wildlife while you’re in Melbourne. Popular locations for animal close-ups include the Melbourne Zoo, Healesville Sanctuary and Werribee Open Range Zoo.
Sports abound in Melbourne and cricket, “Aussie Rules” soccer, and horse racing action are minutes from our hotels. Some of the most popular annual sporting events in the area include the Australian Open and the Festival of Sails, held over Australia Day weekend in January. South of Melbourne, Port Philip Bay and the beaches also offer fishing, sailing and surfing.
Culinary choices mirror Melbourne’s diversity: you’ll find everything from tapas to Chinatown’s authentic Asian, and can sample Aboriginal fare, including kangaroo and other “bush tucker.”
Whether you want to blaze a trail into the bush or browse a capital city boutique, Melbourne offers a heady mix of wild and serene.
