Eat, Shop And Drink Your Way Around Melbourne

Discover the best drinking holes, the finest eateries and hippest hang outs in the world’s most liveable city and Australia’s cultural capital. All while taking in stunning views of Melbourne’s scenery and sights, during a ride on City Sightseeing Melbourne’s open-air hop on and off bus tour. 

There’s a bit of a saying amongst Melburnians, it’s that if a place isn’t secret or a challenge to find, then it’s probably not all that worth it. The natives sure do love a hunt for best places around, and they are always rewarded too; as Melbourne is packed full of charismatic places to dine, drink, shop and hang out. But you’ve just got to be in the know to actually find them all.

The City Sightseeing  Melbourne Tour offers that in –the-know knowledge, providing an engaging audio commentary throughout the tour that not only charts points of interest along the way, but also other trips, activities, festivals and events to help you make the most of your time in the city. You’ll also hear interesting facts, entertaining Aussie slang and the fascinating history of the city as you pass through notable areas and iconic landmarks across the city centre’s beating heart and along coastal St Kilda.

The city leg of the tour kicks off at Federation Square, a popular congregation spot for natives and visitors alike. Everyday you’ll find something different happening, from sports and music events to protest rallies, performing arts, theatrical showcases and more. Famed for the iconic architecture that borders the square’s perimeter, you’ll find a diverse range of bars, restaurants, art spaces, a cinema, tourist information and even a museum; all providing the perfect introduction to this cosmopolitan city. There’s also free wifi – always a bonus!

Next you’ll pass the historic Young & Jackson’s pub, where a painting of Chloe, a famous Melbourne muse and icon hangs. Here you’ll have the opportunity to lounge on chesterfields inside, or head to the rooftop bar to take in the views.  As you continue further on the route, you’ll also pass Melbourne’s famous laneways and arcades, home to a quirky plethora of hidden cafes, bars, galleries, shops, restaurants and more. It’s a place where vibrant, though constantly changing, street art adorns its walls; so if you’re lucky you might catch the artists at work themselves. Spend time exploring these lanes, where you’ll more than likely stumble upon a new hole-in-the-wall gem each time you visit.

Hop off the bus at the Crown Casino and Entertainment Complex for a taste of the high life at this all-encompassing attraction that houses restaurants, bars, nightclubs, casinos, boutiques, family activities, sports events, concerts, theatrical performances and more. You may even spot a celebrity as the Crown often holds international and red carpet events. While here you’ll also be able to enjoy views of the Yarra River and Southbank; which is also home to a delectable range of bars, restaurants, shopping, art pieces and installations, entertainment and more. Stroll along the river for magnificent views of the city’s skyline while catching one of many buskers and street performers entertaining revellers throughout the day.

Next stop off at the South Wharf Promenade for more spectacular views of the Yarra while enjoying a unique dining and drinking experience inside the wharf’s gorgeously restored heritage cargo sheds. There are so many different styles catered for here, so you’re bound to find something to suit your pallet and taste. And for the shopaholic inside you South Wharf is also home to DFO, a factory outlet selling the best discounted fashion finds.

The next stop, Dockland’s Harbour Town provides a similar experience, as it is also home to a wide range of shopping outlets, dining and drinking spots too. Make sure you also enquire in the tourist lounge for the VIP card that gives you further access to discounts, complimentary services, facilities and more.

Back on the bus, you’ll pass the William Angliss Institute, a specialist centre for hospitality, tourism and culinary arts training and education. If you get a chance, head to one of its bistros and restaurants for a high end dining experience without the high end price tag.

Next hop off at the famous Victoria Market, the largest open air market in the southern hemisphere. Housing a large selection of fresh produce, clothes, jewellery, handicrafts and more; it’s the perfect place to pick up gifts while grabbing a bite. As well as many nearby cafes, restaurants and bars, you’ll also be able to spot more lively street art and buskers entertaining passers-by.

Carlton’s Lygon Street, another centre for shopping and dining is another must-see of the tour.  The area dubbed Little Italy is famed for its Italian food that has been hailed as better than in the motherland. Hop off here and try it out for yourself. A quintessential Melbourne pastime is to meet friends to catch up over a coffee on Lygon, as the place is packed full of café and gelato joints. They don’t call it Little Italy for nothing!

The city part of the tour will wind back up with a stop at Chinatown, a distinctive part of Melbourne and a rich history dating back to the 1850s. It is also Australia’s oldest Chinatown, but remains ever so cosmopolitan with its myriad of cuisines to choose from including Thai, Japanese, Malaysian, Vietnamese, European and Australian; all housed in its laneways for you to explore and discover. You’ll also find more colourful street art, drinking holes, boutiques, bookstores, museum and more to explore in this vivacious area that beautifully reflects Asian culture and Australia’s multi-ethnicity in all its glory. From here you’ll also pass nearby Bourke Street, a bustling area where you can simultaneously admire the architecture while shopping, eating and drinking all at the same time.  From here you’ll head back to the start, ready for the St Kilda leg of the tour.

Like the city part of the tour, the commentary will point out interesting places and facts along the ride. The first along this route is the iconic Water Rat Hotel, a popular destination for live music as well as stylish dining and drinking. From here you’ll have the chance to hop off in South Melbourne, one of the city oldest suburbs and a place filled with stunning architecture, trendy eateries and drinking holes, a Victorian style market famed for its dim sims – you can’t go there without trying them – galleries, boutiques and more.

From here you’ll head into plush St Kilda, greeted by dramatic views of Albert Park Lake and the gorgeous winding beaches along the way. Along the palm tree lined streets of Fitzroy Street and the Esplanade – St Kilda’s main drag – and further along in Acland Street, you’ll be spoilt for choice for cafes to relax in the day in, restaurants to eat and drink at as it gets into the evening and hip spots party into the night at as St Kilda is a buzzing nightlife destination with its diverse bars, clubs and music venues. Live music is a big focal point of the area and no better way  to spend an evening is by checking out local bands at the iconic Esplanade Hotel or Prince of Wales Hotel.

Before rounding off the day’s sights, you’ll pass through the equally as scenic Port Melbourne; an affluent part of Melbourne that is home to trendy boutiques, cafes, bars and restaurants concentrated on Bay Street.

As you head back into the city you’ll pass wonderful stretches of beach including South Melbourne Beach, a perfect spot to stop for fish and chips and watching the day go by, and the Kirford Road Pier which offers wonderful views of the city. Not a bad way to end a tour at all.

Discover more at melbournecitysightseeing.com.au.

Images and words by Sandy Dhaliwal