Melbourne is a treasure trove of cosmopolitan experiences, outdoor adventures, gastronomic cultures, and retail therapy. This multicultural tourist heaven is bound to leave you spoilt for choice when planning an action-packed itinerary.
Exploring everything the city has to offer may be overambitious unless you’re planning to spend months in Melbourne’s artistic streets and metropolitan quarters. But some must-visit spots can help you connect with the city’s soul and experience the best of nature and architecture.
Explore our picks for must-visit destinations for nomads exploring Melbourne.
1. Queen Victoria Market
The ultimate spot for hagglers and shopaholics eager to shop Australian merchandise and organic produce, Queen Victoria Market has a rich and poignant legacy. This hustling and bustling marketplace is one of the most iconic landmarks in the city and the perfect spot for amazing bargains.
Famous for fresh vegetables, organic meats, street food joints, and aisles laden with clothes and toys, it’s easy to lose track of time while exploring this charming marketplace.
2. Chinatown
This may come as a surprise, but Chinatown is one of the best districts to experience the heritage and history of Melbourne. Established in the 1850s, this district has been an integral element of Melbourne’s fabric for over 160 years. Chinatowns worldwide are fascinating and exotic, but the Chinatown in Melbourne is unique, being the most extensive and continuous Chinese settlement in the West.
Explore the exotic quarters of Chinatown to sample authentic Chinese food, shop for rare oriental antiques and feast your eyes on captivating sights. The local karaoke bars are amazing, and spending the entire day will make you forget you’re still in Australia.
3. Crown Casino
Here’s something exciting for travellers who want to enjoy opulence and extravagance with high-rolling excitement. Crown Melbourne is one of the oldest establishments in the city, housing a sprawling resort, a casino, a clubhouse, inns, shopping outlets, eateries, and more.
The Crown Casino is a world-class gambling venue famous for organizing its clientele’s most exciting and highly anticipated live events. The live events involve casino gaming, theatrical performances, and even concerts. However, travellers will find the Crown Casino exuberantly expensive and somewhat restrictive compared to the affordability and discretion of a live casino on online platforms.
4. Yarra Valley
Are you eager to leave the cosmopolitan confines of Melbourne to spend a glorious day in verdant valleys, surrounded by world-famous wineries, scrumptious food, and spectacular views? Head over to the splendidly scenic Yarra Valley, tucked less than an hour’s drive away from the city.
Yarra Valley is home to world-class wineries, expansive stretches of lush greenery, eclectic cafes, and fine dining establishments. Wine enthusiasts can visit Healesville to unravel the inner workings of Moet and Chandon while touring the grounds and sampling expensive French wine.
Travellers flock to the Oakridge Winery and Restaurant to attend their famous tours and a traditional winery dining experience. If you’re craving a classic wood oven pizza, head to Healesville’s Innocent Bystander for a gastronomic feast.
Final Thoughts
Melbourne is brimming with unusually quirky and lesser-known experiences that delight travellers with a new side of the city. Whether you want to unravel the city’s heritage or explore new additions to the social scene, Melbourne never fails to entice travellers with the many shades of its personality. The city has much to offer those seeking to ditch the mainstream and find something spectacular.
