48 hours in Melbourne – Weekend Edition
Melbourne In Less Than 48 Words
Lying proudly at the head of the Port Philip Bay, Melbourne is one of Australia’s largest and most popular cities. The ’Cultural Capital of Australia’ alternates between being sophisticated and rough – filled with Victorian-era streetscapes, Manhattan-style buildings, buzzing markets, and crowded beaches.
Melbourne’s skyline sparkles at night (Photo by Dean-Melbourne)
First 24 Hours
You can fly to Melbourne via the Melbourne Airport, which is located 23 kilometers northeast of the city center. From there, you can catch the red Skybus which will take you to the Southern Cross Station. The bus arrives at the terminal every 15 minutes or so, and the journey will cost A$15. After that, you can ride a smaller bus to reach your hotel. Alternatively, you can opt to hire a taxi to take you into the heart of the city, although this will cost you upwards of A$45.
Melbourne is a pretty big city, but its city center is compact and fairly easy to navigate. However, it would be better to visit the main tourist office (Flinders Street railway station, 00 61 3 9658 9658, website), where you can learn more information, and collect a street map.
CHECK IN: Get your bearings back at Melbourne’s hotels
Stay may be arranged in any one of Melbourne’s excellent hotels. One of the best in the city is The Langham Melbourne (1 Southgate Ave | Southbank, Melbourne 3006, Australia, (03) 8696 8888, website). It is a beautiful hotel with excellent service and luxurious décor.
The Langham hotel’s lavish interiors (Photo from Google images)
A nice alternative is The Westin (205 Collins Street, Melbourne 3000, +61 3 9635 2222, website), which offers clean, luxurious, and comfortable rooms, as well as a helpful staff and a fantastic quiet location. You can also try out the Hilton (2 Convention Centre Place | South Wharf, Melbourne 3006, (03) 9027 2000, website). It is known for luxurious facilities, spacious rooms, delicious food, and five-star quality service.
RIALTO TOWERS: Let’s take a view
A popular tourist attraction in Melbourne is the Rialto Towers (525 Collins Street, Melbourne Victoria 3000, +61 3 9614 5888, website). It is the second-tallest reinforced concrete building in the Southern Hemisphere at a height of 270 meters. The highlight there is taking a lift up to its 55th floor to the Melbourne Observation Deck, 234 meters above the ground. There, you will be rewarded with the best views of the cityscape. The ride up will cost you A$13.50, and the site is open daily from 10 am until the late hours. The building also hosts an annual “Run Up” race, wherein participants will try to clamber up its 1,450 steps in the quickest time possible.
NATIONAL GALLERY: Appreciate art
Another worthy attraction in Melbourne is the National Gallery of Victoria (180 St. Kilda Road, +61 3 8620 2222, website). It is the oldest and largest public art gallery in the city and in the country as well. The museum was founded back in 1861, and you can find inside it some 63,000 works of art, including those of Marco Palmezzano, Rembrandt, Peter Paul Rubens, and Tintoretto. It also has a collection of international artifacts such as Greek vases, old masters, Egyptian relics, and European ceramics. The site is open daily from 10 am to 5 pm (closed on Tuesdays).
The National Gallery of Victoria houses masterpieces from artists of the past decades (Photo Coolmeow)
MELBOURNE MUSEUM: Visit the largest museum in the Southern Hemisphere
Don’t forget to pay a visit to the Melbourne Museum (11 Nicholson St, Carlton, Victoria, 3053, +61 3 8341 7777, website). It is the largest museum in the Southern Hemisphere, and you can find inside it unique exhibits like Aborigine artifacts, ancient fossils, and an indoor rainforest. You can also find various facilities such as The Age Theatre, The Sidney Myer Amphitheatre, and The Discovery Centre. Another is an IMAX Theater, which usually shows 3D documentary films. The site is open daily from 10 am to 5 pm, and admission will cost you around A$8.
MELBOURNE ZOO: For animal lovers
Animal lovers may head to the Melbourne Zoo (Elliott Avenue, Parkville Victoria 3052, (03) 9285 9300, website). It is the oldest zoo in Australia, and was inspired by the London Zoo. It is home to more than 460 different animal species from all over the world.
The zoo itself is set among vast gardens and picnic areas, while the animals are kept in bioclimatic zones. You’ll see there the “African Rainforest” section containing gorillas, hippopotamuses and parrots; the “Asian Rainforest” with tigers and otters; and the “Australian Bush” featuring kangaroos and wombats. The site is open daily from 9:30 am to 5 pm, and admission will cost you around A$24.40.
DINNER TIME: Recharge after sightseeing tours in Melbourne with dinner at its posh restaurants
You are guaranteed a delicious dinner at the restaurants available all over the city. One of the best dining experiences is available at Vue de Monde (Normandy Chambers, 430 Little Collins Street, Melbourne 3000, 61 3 9691 3888, website). Though very expensive, it offers high class dining experience. A nice alternative is the Ezard At Adelphi (187 Flinders Lane, Melbourne 3000, +613 03-9639-6811, website), known for its professional service, excellent menu choices, and an ambience perfect for a romantic date or business function.
Enjoy a fancy dinner at Vue de Monde (Photo by Damozi)
Have a taste of Asia in Melbourne at the Taxi Dining Room (Level 1, Federation Square, Melbourne 3000, (03) 9654 8808, website), which specializes in excellent Asian fusion food that is prepared with fresh ingredients and served with tasty sauces. You can also try out the Libertine (500 Victoria St, Melbourne 3051, 9329 5228, website). It offers superb-tasting and well-presented dishes, plus a great wine selection and friendly staff.
Next 24 Hours
Your next 24 hours in Melbourne can be used to discover the city’s other tourist attractions. One of the must-sees in the city is the Heide Museum of Modern Art (7 Templestowe Road, Bulleen Victoria 3105, +61 3 9850 1500, website). Often called simply as Heide, it is an art gallery featuring mostly art works in various mediums by contemporary Australian artists. There can be seen the works of noted local artists like Sidney Nolan and Joy Hester. The site is open from Tuesdays to Sundays from 10 am to 5 pm, and is closed on Mondays. Admission will cost around A$12.
ST. PATRICK’S CATHEDRAL: Let’s go to church
Another popular attraction in Melbourne is the St. Patrick’s Cathedral (Cnr Gisborne St & Cathedral Place, East Melbourne VIC 3002, 03 9662 2233, website). It is one of the most recognizable landmarks in the city, and is an epitome of the Gothic Revival style of architecture. It was built in 1939, and is most known for its unique central spire that shoots up 105 meters into the skies. You may admire its designs both inside and outside, as well as see its large pipe organ and its peal of eight bells.
The altar of St. Patrick’s Cathedral (Photo by woobstr112g)
OLD MELBOURNE GAOL: Have a harrowing experience
One of the most unique experiences in Melbourne can be had at the Old Melbourne Gaol (377, Russell Street (between La Trobe and Victoria Sts), Melbourne 3000, (03) 8663 7223, website). It is a unique museum set in a former prison that was the setting of about 135 public hangings. Inside, you will see various memorabilia left behind by some of the city’s most notorious criminals, such as death masks. There are also exhibits chronicling life in the gaol during the 19th century. The site is open daily from 9:30 am to 5 pm, and admission will cost you around A$21.
ROYAL BOTANIC GARDENS: A walk in the park
Relax and unwind at the Royal Botanic Gardens (Birdwood Avenue, South Yarra VIC 3141, +61 3 9252 2300, website). It is a group of internationally-renowned botanical gardens regarded as the finest in the country. They sprawl across an area of 35.4 hectares, and are basically made up of landscaped gardens featuring around 10,000 species of native and non-native plants. Take a leisurely stroll through the site, and admire the unique vegetation to be seen there. The site is open daily from 7:30 am to sunset, and admission is free.
NIGHTLIFE: Indulge in Melbourne’s vibrant nightlife scene
At night you may proceed to Melbourne’s bars and clubs to have a taste of the exciting nightlife of the city. One of the most popular is Der Raum (438 Church St, Richmond, Melbourne, 613 9428 0055, website). It is said to be the best cocktail bar in Melbourne, using seasonal ingredients, with its creative bartenders regularly coming up with innovative new concoctions.
Hanging liquors at Der Raum bar (Photo by mrtruffle)
A nice alternative is the Hairy Canary (212 Little Collins St, Melbourne 3000, 613-9654-2471), which is a cocktail bar and café known for its unique Latin atmosphere, and is frequented by a diverse crowd. You can also try out the Liquid Bar Cafe Lounge (50 Newquay Promenade, Melbourne 3008, 613-9642-4242, website). It is located by the scenic Docklands area and is known for its award-winning pastas and steaks, plus stylish decorations.
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