Check out Melbourne... hipster, urban and cool, Victoria, Australia

Heart of Victoria

Bustling, urban and hit. Those are some of the words I would use to describe one of my favorite Australian cities, Melbourne. It is the capital city of Victoria and the second-most populous city in Australia. It is, like most cities in Australia, quite young and founded in the middle of the 19th century. It grew big and wealthy with the gold rush and continued to grow with the settlers from all over the world migrating here, partly because of the more European climate. Today Melbourne is recognized as a hub for street art, music, and theatre with unique energy and diversity. Soak it all up, I did, and it is home to many of my memories and good stories.

Federation Square

Once you’ve settled in you want to go straight out and explore the city. Venture into the artsy secret laneways of downtown Melbourne where you can discover some of the amazing street art and graffiti sprawling all over the walls. Melbourne is a cosmopolitan that will strike you as both stylish and dynamic. Once you get to know it, you will be bedazzled with its old city charm. Catch the old trams roaming around the city and get off 200 years later in the new hip scene, where the rooftop bars, buzzing bars, and the sporting scene is present.

Fashion Mecca of Melbourne

Discover your very own style when you check out the city’s fancy, hip and secondhand boutiques and alternative fashion-Mecca around bohemian Brunswick Street, chic Chapel Street or the Fitzroy area. Brunswick Street is where you can stare at crowds passing by and think: can she really wear that? Are those even clothes? And the more you look the more you wonder, would I look good in that? Could I pull that off? 

The Area offers hip ethnic cafes and bistros where you can find just about every cuisine in the world present. Remember all those people you noticed before? They will be here again at night dancing and partying until the morning. When exploring this area of Melbourne you will notice that the clothes are brought here, or in the eclectic stores lining Greville Street or Toorak Road.

When the Old Markets meets the New Melbourne

Catch the tram and experience all the excitement of the Queen Victoria Markets. Here you can find everything from fresh and organic products to alternative Melbourne fashion. Enjoy the buzzing business of the morning when all the stall set up and start selling fresh products. Come here for one of the many events, like international food festivals or just for the experience of the old market. Drop by South Melbourne Market, or pick your flavor when roaming around the narrow alleyways for just the right coffee, bar or eatery. 

A drop of Culture

Yarra River runs through the city and is the place for leisure activities. Various kinds of sport, cycling in particular, and just chilling and enjoying the vibrant riverside atmosphere. Walking through the city you get the option of visiting the museums like the National Gallery of Victoria, the Royal Exhibition Building, and the State Library. This is a chance to learn about Melbourne’s history and art, but also the history of Australia and aboriginal history. On the South-bank you will find the huge Casino which entertains with a fire show at night and gambling 24/7. Along the riverside, you will have the choice of multiple restaurants, bistros, and bars in various price areas. 

Yarra River

Always filled with Activities

Discover countless activities, many free of charge, when visiting the Federation Square. While we were in Melbourne we attended salsa and yoga classes here, and various concerts for upcoming artists. I think they were upcoming, they hadn’t made it to Denmark yet, anyways.  If you are not staying in the city center Flinders Street Station is the first place to get of the train. From here you just walk across the street to the Federation Square. You will always find yourself entertained here and it is an easy place to navigate from to where ever you are heading. In terms of leaving the city or getting on your next adventure, the Southern Cross Station is your best choice. 

St. Kilda

Experience Life on the St Kilda Esplanade. The beach is great for a big-city getaway and busy on the hot weekends, where Melburnians use it for both joy and leisure. Take a stroll around sunset along the promenade and take in the city’s soul.  By nightfall check out the pier for a chance to encounter the penguins that frequent this place at night. If you do not catch a glimpse here there is always the option of doing a day-trip to Phillip Island where you are sure to encounter them. 

Great Ocean Road

Get outside the city and discover an abundance of natural beauty. I am, of course, talking about the Great Ocean Road that takes you from Melbourne and on to Adelaide. It will give you a breathtaking view of rough and unpolished nature like nothing you have ever seen before. Depending on how much time you have you have to make at least a few stops on the way. An absolute must are the Twelve Apostles located just off the coast. These lone limestones stand majestic and tall out in the ocean. For everyone visiting the Great Ocean Road, this is a must-do. Another stop is the surf spot of Bells Beach where you can see incredible and unreal surfing in the huge waves. Last on my to-do list is the Great Otway National Park for spectacular nature and some of the oldest and tallest trees in the world. 

Wrapping it up

Before I let you go I want to encourage you to get the full Australian experience. For a bit of real Australian culture you have to stop by for an AFL game, a set of Cricket or maybe even the Melbourne Cup. If you can’t get tickets at least find a bar and watch a few games and explore Melburnian sporting culture.

* All Photos are private and taken by me.