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Guestlist Does Melbourne
Tuesday 27th January 2015 | Joe
Melbourne, the second biggest city in Australia, has been rated the ‘World’s Most Livable City’ since 2012, and it's easy to see why! Full of energy, entertainment and attractions, the city offers endless reasons why visiting should always be on the cards. There is never a dull moment with ‘heaps’ of shopping centres, multicultural dining, street art, beaches and vibrant nightlife, all just a short walk or tram ride from the CBD (Central Business District), situated in the heart of Melbourne.
Locals refer to the city as ‘The City with Four Seasons Each Day’ - the summer temperatures reach up to 40 degrees plus, so surprisingly enough, a bit of a breeze or the occasional drop of rain is appreciated, unlike in soggy ol’ England.
If you’re interested in experiencing a bit more nature and wildlife, Dandenong Ranges, Great Ocean Road, Marengo Reefs Marine Sanctuary and Alpine National Park are just a few hours drive into outer Victoria. You can easily turn a week away in Melbourne into an adventure in paradise.
Beaches
For those keen on spending most of their time in Melbourne chilling at the beach, there are over 36 in Port Phillip Bay and 65 in Victoria, so you've plenty of locations to choose from!
St Kilda - As it's one of most popular within the bay, its wide sandy beaches tend to get pretty busy, particularly in late afternoon when the beach hosts volleyball matches. Renowned for its popularity with tourists, St Kilda also has plenty of bars and restaurants along the beach to relax in if the heat gets a bit much, which it more than likely will for us Brits.
Port Melbourne & South Melbourne - This pair are just two of the beaches that make up the north coast of the port. Perfect for swimming or just a simple stroll, these two are just walking distance from the CBD and are rarely as busy as hotspot St Kilda.
Point Lonsdale - If you get a chance to visit Melbourne, it's well worth renting a car and driving down to Point Lonsdale, where you’ll find secluded beaches that are completely underrated, if even known by many of the locals. With soft, untouched sand and surfable waves, Port Lonsdale is a personal favorite.
Hostels
Discovery - One of the most sought out places to stay in Melbourne, Discovery offers a full backpacker experience at little cost. The huge hostel is minutes away from the CBD offering a vast choice of bars and restaurants along La Trobe and Melbourne Central. The hostel itself has its own basement bar and boasts one of the largest city rooftops, ideal for a summer BBQ and a game of football. For those travellers looking for work, Discovery offers daily RSA, F, and G (bar, food and gambling licenses needed for work) courses, which conveniently take place in its basement Franklin room.
Urban Central - Urban Central is renowned for its quality of service and bonus extras that really make a difference to the common backpacker. Offering a free daily breakfast, free weekly meal as well as tea/coffee/pasta/rice/noodles, U.C are always looking out for travellers tight on money! Situated in the heart of the city, U.C offers up to 4 bed dorms giving guests the perfect mix of privacy whilst still bringing everyone and their experiences together.
Melbourne Central YHA - For those travellers looking to discover the city, Melbourne Central YHA is located in one of the city's busiest liveliest areas, so it's only a short walk to Fed Square, Crown Casino, Chinatown and the Yarra river. The hostel itself has plenty of rooms and its own open rooftop, perfect for meeting exciting people before heading out to the impressive bars only minutes away. YHA offers a standard selection of rooms consisting of 8 bed sharers, common in hostels the world over.
Base @ St. Kilda - When travellers think of Australia, they think of beaches. Base @ St. Kilda is situated a mere 2 minute walk away from Melbourne’s most popular beach, and the city centre is just a 10 minute tram ride away. The hostel boasts its own fully equipped kitchen, communal lounge with pool tables, as well as the famous Red Eye Bar. This award-winning hostel is definitely not one to miss.
Space Hotel - One of the most exciting hostel experiences in Australia, Space offers a modern and comfortable stay that all backpackers would appreciate. Situated on the edge of Melbourne’s CBD, Space invites travellers to explore the city with easy access to public transport including the city's free trams. With its own bar open till late everyday, Space hosts a range of events including karaoke and quizzes, bringing both locals and travellers together. For those who are planning to stay in Melbourne on a working holiday visa, Space is the ideal place to begin your journey. Its range of facilities, such as its cinema room, gym, open kitchen and rooftop hot-tub makes Space a comfortable home away from home.
Bars
Munich Brauhaus - If you're looking for a great atmosphere, delicious food and a huge selection of German beers, Munich Brauhaus is the place to go. Overlooking the Yarra River and positioned perfectly to make the most of the sun, Brauhaus is the perfect spot to spend your day with a couple of mates and a few steins! Beer, sun and lederhosen is a winning combo!
Campari House - When staying in Melbourne, you have to visit at least one of the famous rooftop bars. Campari House is one of the most popular and interesting in the city. The Campari experience is simple - take the stairwell that’s been plastered with contemporary art and graffiti four flights up, and enjoy one of the world's most outstanding cityscapes, cocktail in hand. This is without a doubt the perfect place to start and finish your Melbourne adventure.
Transit Rooftop Bar - Drinks, live music and 5 star views, Transit Rooftop has it all. Situated in Melbourne’s Federation Square, Transit offers stunning views of the Southbank, the Yarra River and the Botanical Gardens. The rooftop is perfect for watching the bright lights and colossal flame towers of the Crown Casino, whilst enjoying cocktails with friends. It’s all about views and booze at Transit!
Republica - There’s nothing more satisfying than chilling at the beach, having a drink and watching the sun set across the sea. Republica offers this seven days a week, just steps away from Melbourne’s most popular beach, St. Kilda. Famous for its sunset volleyball, stunning views and creative menu, Republica should be at the top of the list for any traveller chasing sun and sea.
Workshop Bar - If you’ve ever wondered what a bar from Brick Lane would look like in a South American rainforest, you’ve basically imagined Workshop. With cheap drinks, exotic trees and a misting machine, Workshop is the perfect spot for those backpackers and students searching Melbourne for a piece of paradise.
Grafitti
Since the 1990’s, street art in Melbourne has developed from the work of a few local enthusiasts to some of the greatest pieces of modern art the country has to offer. One of the most notable works of art is the 8-story mural of a girl's face painted on the side of a building in Collins Street. 20-year-old model Teresa Omen’s face was painted in a single shade of mission brown by artist Rone at the start of the century. Accepted by the community and tourist destination advisers, Melbourne’s art and graffiti scene has become one of the top draws for travellers and tourists. Hosier Lane and Rutledge Lane are two of the most famous street art spots in the city although great works can be found throughout Melbourne. Though graffiti and tagging is still illegal throughout the city, certain areas, including the aforementioned lanes, have been allocated resident artists and projects to increase Melbourne's artistic culture.
The standard of art Melbourne has to offer just keeps getting better as the popularity of this art form increases. For future tourists, travellers and street art enthusiasts, expect a lot more from Melbourne and its community of gifted artists.
Photography and content by Joseph Murfitt & Alexander Fairchild.
