Melbourne is the cool, intellectual cousin to Sydney's sun-kissed glamour. It’s a city of hidden laneways, world-class coffee, obsession with sport, and 'four seasons in one day'. The joy of Melbourne is indoors—in its speakeasy bars, galleries, and diverse restaurants. It feels European, artistic, and endlessly discoverable.
CBD (Central Business District)
Melbourne's CBD is not just for business; it's a warren of graffiti-covered laneways filled with tiny cafes and hidden bars. It sits on the free tram grid and offers the best access to the Queen Victoria Market and major theaters. It’s vibrant, walkable, and coffee-obsessed.
What we love
- +Incredible laneway culture (Hosier Lane, Degraves St)
- +Free Tram Zone covers the whole district
- +World-class coffee and dining density
Worth noting
- –Can be noisy and crowded
- –Accommodation is mostly high-rise hotels
- –Traffic is confusing (hook turns)
Nearby
Flinders Street Station · Federation Square · Queen Victoria Market · Hosier Lane (Street Art) · State Library Victoria
Fitzroy
Fitzroy is the undisputed hipster capital of Australia. Just north of the CBD, it’s a grid of Victorian terrace houses covering a scene of vintage stores, rooftop bars, and vegan eateries. It’s gritty, cool, and artistically vibrant. It’s where the locals hang out.
What we love
- +Coolest bars and dining in the city
- +Great vintage shopping (Gertrude & Brunswick St)
- +Beautiful Edinburgh Gardens nearby
Worth noting
- –No train station (tram only)
- –Can be loud and busy on weekends
- –Hotels are limited (mostly apartments/smaller)
Nearby
Brunswick Street · Rose St. Artists' Market · Fitzroy Gardens · Naked for Satan (Rooftop) · Centre for Contemporary Photography
St Kilda
Melbourne's seaside playground. St Kilda is famous for its beach, Luna Park, and cake shops on Acland Street. It has a faded glory charm, acting as a magnet for backpackers and musicians. It feels like a separate beach town with a slightly edgy vibe.
What we love
- +Beachside location with sea baths
- +Luna Park and Sunday Esplanade Market
- +Little Penguins colony at the pier (viewing from boardwalk)
Worth noting
- –Far from the city center (30 min tram)
- –Can feel a bit seedy at night in parts
- –The beach isn't great for swimming (compared to Sydney)
Nearby
St Kilda Beach & Pier · Luna Park · Acland Street (Cakes) · St Kilda Sea Baths · Palais Theatre
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South Yarra & Prahran
South of the river, this is the domain of the stylish and affluent. Chapel Street is the famous fashion strip that runs through it. It’s polished, green, and renowned for its high-end dining and buzzing nightlife. Ideal for shoppers and luxury lovers.
What we love
- +Best fashion shopping (Chapel Street)
- +Prahran Market is a foodie highlight
- +Close to the Royal Botanic Gardens
Worth noting
- –Can be expensive/pretentious
- –Chapel Street traffic is slow
- –Nightlife can get rowdy on weekends
Nearby
Chapel Street · Prahran Market · Royal Botanic Gardens · Como House · Revolver Upstairs (Club)
Carlton
Just north of the CBD, Carlton is Melbourne's 'Little Italy'. Lygon Street is the birthplace of Melbourne's coffee culture. It’s also a scholarly district, home to the University of Melbourne and the Melbourne Museum. It feels historic, leafy, and intellectual.
What we love
- +Lygon Street dining (Italian heritage)
- +Walking distance to CBD and Museum
- +Beautiful Carlton Gardens
Worth noting
- –Lygon St touts can be annoying
- –Student-heavy population
- –Can be quiet in residential pockets
Nearby
Lygon Street · Royal Exhibition Building (UNESCO) · Melbourne Museum · Carlton Gardens · Cinema Nova
Southbank
A modern promenade along the south bank of the Yarra River. It is the city's entertainment precinct, hosting the Crown Casino, the Arts Centre, and the National Gallery. It offers glossy high-rise hotels and riverside dining with city views.
What we love
- +Spectacular city skyline views
- +Home to the Arts Precinct (NGV)
- +Riverside promenade dining
Worth noting
- –Can feel corporate/soulless
- –Crown Casino dominates the west end
- –Windy near the river
Nearby
National Gallery of Victoria (NGV) · Arts Centre Melbourne · Eureka Skydeck · Crown Casino · Southgate
Richmond
For the sports fanatic, Richmond is holy ground (home of the MCG). But it's also a multicultural dining hotspot, with 'Little Vietnam' on Victoria Street and great pubs everywhere. It’s gritty, authentic, and incredibly well-connected.
What we love
- +Home of the MCG (AFL/Cricket)
- +Incredible Vietnamese food (Victoria St)
- +Great historic pub culture
Worth noting
- –Crowded on game days
- –Industrial aesthetic in parts
- –Traffic can be heavy
Nearby
Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) · Victoria Street (Little Vietnam) · Corner Hotel (Live Music) · Bridge Road (Shopping) · Mountain Goat Brewery
Collingwood
Fitzroy’s grittier, cooler neighbor. Collingwood is a mix of industrial warehouses, burger joints, and high-end dining. It’s growing up fast but retains a rock-and-roll edge. Smith Street was voted the 'coolest street in the world' by Time Out (2021). It’s where the cutting edge of Melbourne happens.
What we love
- +Incredible dining on Smith Street
- +Great live music venues
- +Unique industrial/warehouse architecture
Worth noting
- –Very few parks/green spaces
- –Still rough around the edges in parts
- –Traffic on Smith/Wellington St is heavy
Nearby
Smith Street · Keith Haring Mural · Easey's (Burgers on a train roof) · The Tote Hotel · Lamington Drive Gallery
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