Melbourne - A Shopping Paradise
MELBOURNE FASHION WEEK
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COMO SHOPPING CENTRE
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If shopping is your desire, an endless list of options awaits you in Melbourne!
Melbourne is recognised as the fashion capital of Australian and is a highly-regarded fashion centre around the world.
It is no wonder then that the city is filled with dozens of stylish boutiques, delightful arcades, major shopping centres, local fashion houses and factory outlets and whole fashion streets like Bridge Road, Chapel Street, Toorak Road, Brunswick Street and the expensive brands in Collins Street.
There are plenty of outlet stores as well as Walking/Bus Shopping tours that will take you to many shops and factory outlets you might not have known about.
Then there's the markets - check out the video below!
Melbourne is recognised as the fashion capital of Australian and is a highly-regarded fashion centre around the world.
It is no wonder then that the city is filled with dozens of stylish boutiques, delightful arcades, major shopping centres, local fashion houses and factory outlets and whole fashion streets like Bridge Road, Chapel Street, Toorak Road, Brunswick Street and the expensive brands in Collins Street.
There are plenty of outlet stores as well as Walking/Bus Shopping tours that will take you to many shops and factory outlets you might not have known about.
Then there's the markets - check out the video below!
DFO AT SOUTH WHARF
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CHAPEL STREET, PRAHRAN
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There is also the huge Direct Factory Outlet at South Wharf, with more than 150 discount retailers; the international brands at the Melbourne Emporium; and the famous Chadstone Shopping Centre, to name just a few options.
If you like to do your own thing, wander through the Queen Victoria Markets and pick up some wonderful cheeses and deli meats. There is also a wide range of clothing and stalls offering unusual gifts.
In the inner city, tucked away amid the city streets, the smaller specialty shops feature unique treasures or ultra modern must-haves.
The added beauty to all this is that almost every street is also dotted with delightful cafes, bakeries, coffee shops, bars and restaurants that bring the tastes of the world to the table and give you the energy to shop some more.
You may need to take an extra suitcase to bring all your bargains back home!
If you like to do your own thing, wander through the Queen Victoria Markets and pick up some wonderful cheeses and deli meats. There is also a wide range of clothing and stalls offering unusual gifts.
In the inner city, tucked away amid the city streets, the smaller specialty shops feature unique treasures or ultra modern must-haves.
The added beauty to all this is that almost every street is also dotted with delightful cafes, bakeries, coffee shops, bars and restaurants that bring the tastes of the world to the table and give you the energy to shop some more.
You may need to take an extra suitcase to bring all your bargains back home!
Queen Victoria Markets
Known locally as 'The Victoria Markets', they provide a fantastic spread of food, drink and other bits and pieces. A Melbourne institution - check out the video.
Attractions
Some of the main Melbourne attractions include winery tours; hotel pick up’s will take you out to the Yarra Valley to spend a day wandering through vineyards and sampling a great range of Melbourne’s finest! Tours often include lunch at a winery and visit 4-5 different cellar doors. Try a friendly, smaller scale tour with ‘Yarra Valley Winery Tours’.
Other major attractions include; The Eureka Skydeck, Federation Square, Luna Park, Melbourne Aquarium, Melbourne Museum and Melbourne Zoo. For the sports fans, join a guided tour of the MCG, Rod Laver Arena or visit the National Sports Museum.
And a must do for everyone, is the spring racing carnival during October – November to experience the glamour and excitement of the Melbourne Cup!
Visitor centres can be found in the Bourke Street Mall and Federation Square. Don’t forget to grab a tourist guide and map, they often have great discounts inside!
Other major attractions include; The Eureka Skydeck, Federation Square, Luna Park, Melbourne Aquarium, Melbourne Museum and Melbourne Zoo. For the sports fans, join a guided tour of the MCG, Rod Laver Arena or visit the National Sports Museum.
And a must do for everyone, is the spring racing carnival during October – November to experience the glamour and excitement of the Melbourne Cup!
Visitor centres can be found in the Bourke Street Mall and Federation Square. Don’t forget to grab a tourist guide and map, they often have great discounts inside!
Dining Options
Melbourne offers such a wide range of quality restaurants. I like to explore and discover those little out-of-the-way gems! There are so many restaurants packed into the city, you’ll be spoilt for choice. There is the ever popular Lygon street, or try a little alleyway called Hardware Lane for some great dining choices.
‘Vialetto’ offers quality Italian cuisine served with jazz music and a cosy laneway atmosphere.
For an alternative option, with a trendy Melbourne flavour, try a secluded little Tapas bar called ‘Movida’ on Little Bourke St, which offers inner city dining with a strong Spanish influence. For an authentic cocktail try the Pisco Lima, and tapas selections such as Entrecot or Wagyu Bistec.
After dinner, unwind in a comfortable bar like ‘Soft Belly’, sink into the plush retro armchairs and soak up the ambiance.
Breakfast offers the same array of choices. On the top of my list is a little place called ‘Bushwa and Hooeys’ on Little Bourke St. A quaint breakfast spot featuring wholesome meals in a comfortable, eclectic setting.
Dining out tip: Book ahead of time or go early (around 6pm) to avoid long waits.
‘Vialetto’ offers quality Italian cuisine served with jazz music and a cosy laneway atmosphere.
For an alternative option, with a trendy Melbourne flavour, try a secluded little Tapas bar called ‘Movida’ on Little Bourke St, which offers inner city dining with a strong Spanish influence. For an authentic cocktail try the Pisco Lima, and tapas selections such as Entrecot or Wagyu Bistec.
After dinner, unwind in a comfortable bar like ‘Soft Belly’, sink into the plush retro armchairs and soak up the ambiance.
Breakfast offers the same array of choices. On the top of my list is a little place called ‘Bushwa and Hooeys’ on Little Bourke St. A quaint breakfast spot featuring wholesome meals in a comfortable, eclectic setting.
Dining out tip: Book ahead of time or go early (around 6pm) to avoid long waits.
Reasons to go
Melbourne presents itself as a bustling, trendy, city centre with a stylish yet historic flavour. Clean city streets, a multitude of attractions and friendly, helpful residents make this city a fabulous tourist hub.
Summer time can be a scorcher, with temperatures rising to the high 30’s while winter will see you pulling on your scarves and gloves! So spring is probably the most visitor friendly time of year for ideal weather conditions.
Summer time can be a scorcher, with temperatures rising to the high 30’s while winter will see you pulling on your scarves and gloves! So spring is probably the most visitor friendly time of year for ideal weather conditions.
Feedback
"What a fantastic weekend away all for a budget price!! From the moment we arrived and were picked up by the VHA luxury vehicle, the fabulous room at the Mantra on Little Bourke, to the delightful food and shops in Little Bourke Street. And what a pleasure the food is at the Queen Victoria Markets! The shopping and service from staff and city tram drivers was second to none. Would certainly recommend to anyone. Looking forward to heading back!”- Miranda, Tasmania
"After usually travelling to Melbournein summer for the Australian Tennis Open a winter visit was ‘very refreshing’ this time around. Worthy recommendations are VHA Airport Shuttles for transfers both from and to the airport, Mantra on Little Bourke for stylish inner city accommodation and Bushwa and Hooeys for fantastic value fare in eclectic surrounds." Megan, Gold Coast
Visit the beautiful Yarra Valley
Visit Outback Australia
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Visit Outback Australia
Send us your story or your comment, about a holiday destination or experience in Melbourne Victoria
Click here to go back to Victoria