Melbourne Hotels

Southbank
If you’re looking to be amongst it all, then you’ll love Southbank. This area has it all, including an exhaustive list of fine restaurants, relaxed cafes, wine bars, and of course, Crown Casino. This is the place to be seen or to do a bit of people watching. Southbank is easily accessed by tram, train or foot. The closest train station is the beautiful, heritage-listed Flinders Street Station.

Shopping
Shopaholics can get more than their fix in Melbourne’s bountiful shopping districts. Start in Chapel Street (Melbourne’s Rodeo Drive), then head to Bourke Street Mall where you will find all the big department and flagship stores. If you’re looking for something more unique, then stroll along the Queen Victoria Market where you can leisurely browse a variety of specialty stalls.

Lygon Street
When you’ve had your fill of shopping there’s nothing like a hearty Italian meal in Lygon Street to recharge your batteries. Here, charming waiters stand outside their trattorias and entice you to dine with them. Pick the one you fancy the most (as they are all good) and enjoy some of the most authentic Italian cuisine you will find outside of Italy.

St Kilda
For a change of pace from Melbourne’s lively CBD, take a tram to St Kilda. There are plenty of things to do in this alternative quarter. Stroll along the beach, browse the markets and be sure to stop for a piece of cake in one of the relaxed, chattering cafes. These award-winning cafes specialise in mouth-watering cakes which are seductively displayed in their shop windows.

Flemington Races
On the first Tuesday of November every year, Flemington Racecourse hosts the Melbourne Cup, the most famous horse race in Australia. It’s the one time of the year when the entire nation gets together with friends and colleagues, wears a silly hat, downs a few ‘champers’ and has a small (or large) bet. The race has produced some famous winners, including Phar Lap, the beloved horse that won the race in 1930 and died mysteriously a few years later.

Mornington Peninsula
Breathtaking views abound in this coastal region south of Melbourne. The Mornington Peninsula offers a refined array of cliff-top mansions, historic gardens, art galleries and fine dining. This region is also a favourite of golfers with no less than 18 courses. The local vineyards are renowned for producing superb chardonnay and the holy grail of viticulture, pinot noir.