Arcadia Australia

Shopping Heaven, Multicultural Mecca, Foodie wonders, and Cultural Capital

Melbourne has quite the reputation to live up to – but wow it delivers.  If you find yourself with ‘down’ time in Melbourne – you wont be down for long! Here’s a few suggestions to get you moving and experiencing the best of the laneways, art, food and hidden marvels that this city has to offer.

I want to explore!

Take the FREE city circle tram right around the central business district block and get your bearings – the on board historic narration will help you learn about what you are seeing around you – my top stops:

Flinders Street station (insty photo)

Queen Victoria Market (who doesn’t love markets…)

National Gallery of Victoria (NGV for the indigenous artworks)

Parliament house (another insty stop and also great gardens for a walk/picnic)

QV Melbourne (shopping and the massive heritage listed building inside!!! The clock is another insty-worthy location

Rent a bike: Pedal power your way around the Yarra river if it’s a bright sunny day and explore the botanic gardens, or head up to explore the more ‘local’ areas of Carlton and Fitzroy.

I want to eat/drink!

There’s never going to be enough room to discuss the incredible food options in Melbourne – whatever you want – it’s here.  My all time favs…

Asian fusion: Rock Paper Scissors, Chin-Chin, Yamanto, DonDon Bistro, Cookie

Italian: Spaghetti Tree, The Mess hall, Pellegrini’s Espresso Bar, Brunetti’s for icecream

Aussie: Mrs Parma’s, Henry and the Fox, Coda

Rooftop bars: Good Heavens, Rooftop bar, Rooftop at QT, Loop roof

Sushi: Tokui Sushi, Sushi Monger, Sushi Hub, Sakura Kaiten Sushi

Sweets: Hopetoun Tea Rooms, Walkers Doughnuts, Nitro Lab, Little Cupcakes

Eat Street: DeGraves Street

Show me the Graffiti Hot Spots

1. Hosier Lane
2. Centre Place
3. AC/DC Lane
4. Croft Alley
5. Keith Haring mural

Bring on the Culture

Learn stories of the traditional owners at the Bunjilaka Aboriginal Cultural Centre, Carlton

Spend an entire day at the Australian Centre for the Moving Image (ACMI)

Check out the historic arcades for shopping and wandering: Block arcade and the Royal Arcade

Catch a show at the Forum