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- Travel
Uncover the secrets of Victoria’s state capital with hidden laneways, Aboriginal history, and some of the best museums, coffee shops, and restaurants in Australia.
Published December 9, 2023
6 min read
This article was produced by National Geographic Traveller (UK).
Discover the excitement of cosmopolitan Melbourne, known for its food, sports, and obsession with artisanal coffee. The Central Business District (CBD) boasts a mix of Victorian architecture and a modern skyscraper skyline, intersected by tram lines and the Yarra River, creating a beautiful and easily accessible city to explore. The city’s greatest treasures are tucked away in its narrow laneways and ornate arcades, where locals enjoy coffee and admire street art at hole-in-the-wall cafes and independent shops.
9am: Coffee and avo
Head to Captains of Industry on Somerset Place for a hip cafe experience. Enjoy a delicious coffee and smashed avocado on toast while overlooking Elizabeth Street near Melbourne Central station.
10am: Laneways & arcades
Explore Melbourne’s architecturally stunning arcades, starting at the historical Royal Arcade and the opulent Block Arcade. Then, make your way to Degraves Street for a refreshing break in one of its charming cafes.
11.30am: Picnic in the gardens
Take a tram to Spring Street Grocer for a gourmet picnic gathering. Choose from a selection of dips, salads, pasta, and cheeses sourced from independent dairy farms across Victoria, and enjoy your feast in the nearby Treasury Gardens.
1pm: Take a walk on Kulin Country
Immerse yourself in Indigenous history with a guided Birrarung Wilam (River Camp) walk at The Koorie Heritage Trust. Gain insight into Melbourne’s past as an important meeting place for the Indigenous Kulin nation, and explore the crafts shop and art exhibitions in the trust’s newly expanded headquarters at Federation Square.