Places To Visit
Melbourne City has shopping to suit every taste and style. There are three major department stores, many fashion centers and designer boutiques in walkways, arcades and lanes. Shopping tours are popular, as are the flea markets for surprises galore and bargains. Here is a guide to Melbourne's major shopping areas.
Central Business District
Bound by Flinders, Spring, Latrobe and Queen Streets.
Bourke Street Mall
The Bourke Street Mall is located between Swanston Walk and Elizabeth Street and is a popular spot for street artists.. Features a wide selection of specialty fashion and gift shops, and major department stores like Myer and David Jones.
Melbourne Central
300 Lonsdale St
Australia's largest retail complex has over 170 specialty shops and the country's first international department store, Daimaru.
Collins Street
The 'Paris End' of Collins Street, east of Swanston Walk, is so named because of its exclusive fashion boutiques. International labels such as Versace, Louis Vuitton and Ferragamo are featured, along with Australian designs by Coogi.
Australia On Collins
260-270 Collins Street
An endless selection of gifts and housewares are available, along with a range of fashion boutiques, such as Country Road and Moschino.
234 Collins Street Centre
With clothing stores that feature such labels as Mollini, Esprit and Kookai, 234 Collins is regarded as the centre of young Australian and international fashion. The spectacular interior design, marble floors and etched panel works add further distinction to this innovative complex.
Southgate
On the banks of the Yarra River opposite Flinders Street Station, Southgate is in the heart of Melbourne's arts precinct. Innovative art, fashion and a variety of cafes, bars and restaurants. Arcades
Arcades
Melbourne has many arcades and hidden alleyway shops which offer a unique shopping experience.
The Block Arcade
282 Collins Street
An intricate mosaic floor leads shoppers through traditional tearooms, antique jewelry and designer fashion stores.
Royal Arcade
308 Little Collins Street
Australia's oldest retail arcade offers fine fashion, giftware and jewelry. More info
Howey Place
Young independent fashion designs are a feature of this arcade conveniently located behind the 234 Collins Street Centre.
Village Shopping
Vibrant shopping strips or 'villages' in Melbourne offer a unique shopping experience outside of the central business district.
Toorak Road, South Yarra
Take tram #8 from Swanston Walk.
Exclusive clothing and footwear boutiques make this area a must for the fashion conscious shopper. Established designer labels, and a range of stylish cafes and restaurants may be found in the area between Punt and Grange Roads.
Chapel Street, South Yarra
Chapel Street has been labeled as the fashion strip of Australia and between Dandenong Road and Toorak Road is where the most fashionable shops and shoppers may be found. From clothing and music, to cafes, bars and restaurants. From Swanston Walk, take tram #8 or #72, or a train to South Yarra Station on the Dandenong or Sandringham lines.
Bridge Road and Swan Street, Richmond
For Bridge Rd, take the #75 or the #48 tram from Flinders St, for Swan St, take the #70 tram in Batman Avenue.
This is where to find the best of Melbourne's designer factory outlets and seconds shops where garments are sold at bargain prices. Many of these stores feature the work of young, independent Australian designers.
Brunswick Street, Fitzroy
From Collins Street take tram #11 to stop 15.
An alternative street of designer clothes, bohemian boutiques and cafes and bars.
Sydney Road Brunswick
Sydney Road is the best place in Melbourne to shop in antique and second hand stores. More info
Lygon Street, Carlton
The home of mozzarella, caffe latte, pasta and all things Italian, includes gorgeous designer clothes, shoes and stylish gifts. From Swanston Walk take any 'University' tram to the end of the line and walk 200 metres or take tram#1 or 22 direct to Lygon Street.
Melbourne Markets
The best of Melbourne culture may be experienced by a visit to some of the many markets that the city has to offer.
Queen Victoria Market
Tele(03) 9320 5822
Market Days: Tue & Thurs 6am-2pm, Fri 6am-6pm,Sat 6am-3pm, Sun 9am-4pm.
From Elizabeth Street take any tram.Corner of Victoria and Elizabeth Streets Everything from fruit and vegetables, fresh produce and delicatessen goods to clothing, plants and pets are sold at this market which covers seven hectares (around 1000 traders) and is renowned as a gourmet paradise. Its origins date back to 1857 and many of its buildings have been classified by the National Trust. The Magical History Tour of the market explores 125 years of history and allows participants to meet vendors. More info
St Kilda Esplanade Art & Craft Market
Upper Esplanade, St Kilda
Open every Sunday 10am-5pm.
From Swanston Street take #15 or #16, from Bourke Street #96.
Unique handcrafted gifts are made and sold by stall holders along this beachfront esplanade. There are over 200 stalls.
The Sunday Market Victorian Arts Centre
100 St Kilda Road
Open every Sunday 10am-4pm.
Walk from Flinders Street Station across Princes Bridge.
Located in the heart of Melbourne's arts and culture precinct, this market features local artists and craftsmen who sell their own work.
Prahran Market
163-185 Commercial Road, South Yarra
Open Tuesday and Thursday 10am-5pm,
Friday 6am-6pm, Saturday 6am-1pm.
Take tram #8 or #72 to Chapel Street, or a train to South Yarra Station.With its fresh produce and wide range of delicatessen goods, this lively market is frequented by locals and visitors alike and is just a short walk from fashionable Chapel Street. New Deli section.
Shopping Spree Tours
Tele(03) 9596 6600
Fully escorted tours of Melbourne factories and warehouses including a 2 course restaurant lunch and sightseeing opportunities. Operates everyday except Sunday and public holidays. Departs 9am and returns at approximately 4.30pm. Central city hotel pickups. More info
Melbourne Ambassadors Specialist Shopping Tour
Tele(03) 9639 4044
Various retail and fashion areas are explored in this fully guided tour, including the Como Gaslight Gardens in South Yarra, Bridge Road, Richmond and Chadstone Shopping Centre. Melbourne Central and Daimaru can also be included in the itinerary and lunch is included in the cost. The tour runs from9.30am-4.30pm with departures arranged by appointment.
City of Melbourne
© Australian Pacific Touring
Melbourne
The road to Melbourne
is spectacular no matter the direction from which the city is
approached. There is a route through the rugged Australian Alps; as
well as a Princes Highway seaside route from Sidney that passes
beautiful sandy beaches. The Hume Highway is lined with vineyards
and fine wineries; and the drive from Adelaide along the
Great Ocean Road provides a showcase for some of Australia's most dramatic scenery.
Melbourne (pronounced Mel bun) is located on the banks of the Yarra River and overlooks the huge expanse of Port Phillip Bay, a sailing and boating paradise. Its beautiful beaches provide recreation for local residents and visitors throughout the year. The many parks along the banks of the Yarra and the Maribyrnong Rivers are popular spots for picnics, parties and barbecues by the water.
Magnificent landscaped gardens and parklands make Melbourne one of the greenest cities in the world.
The streets of the city center are alive with thousands of residents bustling in and out of buildings that are a blend of grand Victorian and modern architecture and house everything from outstanding galleries to opulent theatres. Hundreds of designer fashion boutiques, many shops and countless rows of sophisticated little cafés line the main thoroughfares. Over 3000 restaurants present fine cuisine accompanied by superb local wines. This friendly multicultural city is home to people from over 140 nations, a fact that is reflected in the excellence and diversity of the food choices that are available. There is something to please everyone.
Melbourne and the Yarra River
© Tourism Victoria
Green and gold trams circle the city providing efficient transportation in the gracious style of days gone by. Children will love the riverboat cruises, water taxis and gondola rides that provide the best in aquatic travel on the Yarra River. They will also enjoy a visit to a shark at Melbourne Aquarium and an afternoon at the Melbourne zoo.
Yarra River Cruise.
It's only a short ferry boat ride across Port Phillip Bay to Williamstown and St Kilda, the beach suburbs that function as the playgrounds of Melbourne.
This cosmopolitan and sophisticated city hosts major cultural festivals, world famous horse races, smash hit musicals and international sporting events throughout the year. Melbourne Festival, Melbourne International Flower and Garden Show, Qantas Australian Grand Prix, Australian Football League finals series, Spring Racing Carnival, Australian Open, Melbourne Comedy Festival and Melbourne Food and Wine Festival are just a few of the key events.
Bourke Street Mall
© Gray Line
Melbourne is the gateway to the State of Victoria. Victoria's walking and riding trails provide the perfect getaway for anyone who enjoys the beauty of the out of doors. They cover diverse landscapes ranging from National Park wilderness to immaculate gardens, from serene lakes to endless beaches, from rolling mountain ranges to deserts. Many hiking trails can be found close to Melbourne within easy driving distance of the city.
In 1803 Captain David Collins settled for a time in the Melbourne area, but had to relocate due to his inability to find anything but salt water, which was unsuitable for drinking. Shortly thereafter another British settler, Sir Charles Grimes, found the Yarra River and declared it to be the ideal place for a settlement. In 1836 and 1837 many staked claims for land in the region. In 1837 the Surveyor General mapped out the grid for the city streets, and the settlement was named Melbourne. By 1840 the population had reached 10,000.
Growth began in earnest during the early 1850's when gold was discovered and British pioneers flocked to the area in search of it. Within a few months, the State of Victoria was producing more gold than anywhere else in the world. The population leapt to 77,000 and then to 95,000. By 1860 there were 500,000!
The gold rush ended, but prosperity continued. Roads, railways, telephone and electric lines, and beautiful churches were constructed to serve the rapidly growing area. Melbourne had emerged as the financial capital of Australia. Agriculture, mining, and later brewing and flour milling were its main industries. The lavish Royal Exhibition Building was built for the Great Exhibition of 1888. Other buildings in the style of the grand architecture of England followed. Large expanses of land were set aside for parks and gardens. A series of strikes and an extensive drought diminished the fortunes of many in the 1890's, but prosperity soon returned. In 1901 Melbourne became the political capital of a federation of the six Australian colonies, a position held until 1927. During this period the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra was formed.
The worldwide depression of 1929-1930 brought massive unemployment to Melbourne, but once again things quickly improved. Government funds were made available to put people to work building monuments and making other public improvements. By 1933 the population was over one million.
World War II had little effect on Melbourne. However, in 1945 a postwar immigration tidal wave brought to the area whole villages from Lebanon, Turkey and Greece. The blending of cultures has enriched Melbourne and added a cosmopolitan dimension.
Melbourne entered the world spotlight in 1952 with the visit of Queen Elizabeth, and again in 1956 when the city hosted the Olympic games, held in the southern hemisphere for the first time. In the 1960's and 1970's Melbourne welcomed many immigrants from Vietnam and China. Melbourne's rich cultural mix includes over 60 nationalities.
In 1992 the ten year reign of the Labor party ended when a conservative Liberal/National party coalition under the leadership of Jeff Kennett was voted in. Sweeping efforts at modernization in Melbourne have occurred since that time. Highlights include Southgate, a world class casino; the new museum of Victoria, and the Tennis Center. Major national events such as the Australian Grand Prix have been attracted to Melbourne, and major renovation and restoration of the city's buildings is continuing.
