According to the latest Hotels.com Hotel Price Index, Melbourne has emerged as the hottest destination in Australia for domestic travellers, taking the top spot from arch rival Sydney. So, just what does this city have to offer the visitor?
The Victorian capital beat all of Oz’s other states and territories to take the gold for both interstate overnight visitor numbers – four million – and total domestic overnight spending – $4.7 billion. According to the domestic visitors who hit Melbourne, they were drawn by its great shopping, dining, sporting facilities and events.
Tourism Victoria is loving the results of course, happy that Melbourne is finally starting to emerge from Sydney’s shadow. Its latest campaign to hike visitor numbers further will focus on lesser-known destinations in and around Melbourne. Tourism Victoria director of marketing Don Richter, said, “We’ve got to a situation where Melbourne is the most-loved destination in Australia; people get that Melbourne is a sophisticated, cultural place.
“The next stage is to activate that love of Melbourne by giving them new excuses to come here. One of our challenges is that people think they know Melbourne – but in fact there is a lot more to discover,” he added.
While Sydney offers fast-paced cosmopolitan city living and high powered working with a dose of beach, Melbourne has a more relaxed vibe, with locals who seem less concerned with appearances and status. Sydney’s all about the instant gratification – your postcode and wardrobe define who you are, while Melbourne offers a less superficial way of life.
Melbourne’s city centre is accessible and attractive – historic architecture such as the gothic St. Pauls Cathedral, is juxtaposed with the in-your-face modernism of Federation Square and the grandeur of Flinder’s Street Station.
An evening stroll along the Yarra River which runs through the centre of the city to see the Southbank’s craft stalls, street theatre and Crown Casino is a Melbourne must-do.
Melbourne’s eclectic nightlife and dining scene just keeps getting better. Our recommendation would be to try the Gin Palace, at 190 Little Collins Street in the heart of the city, for its mismatched shabby chic and its fabulous (not all gin) cocktails.
For food in stunning surroundings, grab a light lunch at the café in the stunning Royal Botanical Gardens. The annual Food and Wine Festival held each February lets you eat in many of the city’s top restaurants for half price. The city offers an eclectic range of eateries from little Italy to China Town.
Catch a tram to the funky neighbourhood of St Kilda, which has transformed from a seaside resort into a trendy and cosmopolitan suburb, famous for its food, entertainment and nightlife. Acland Street is a bustling shopping area well known for its great coffee, continental cake shops and thrift shops bursting with vintage clothing. Nearby Fitzroy Street is renowned for its restaurants, bars and live music.
Culture is oozing from Melbourne’s pores, so check out some of its fantastic theatre life, or a show by the Australian Ballet – which is based in the city. One of the best – and most unique – museums in the city is the Ian Potter Museum of Art at the University of Melbourne, which displays and interprets a collection ranging from classical antiquity to contemporary art.
To escape the big smoke, catch a boat along the Yarra to the little seaside fishing town of Williamstown, or hop in the car and head to Geelong – the gateway to the Great Ocean Road, which is known as one of the world’s greatest coastal drives. It is also home to the giant rockstacks of the 12 Apostles, one of the most famous natural phenomenas in the world.
(Image: David Jackmanson, cogdogblog)
