With Melbourne being voted the most liveable city in the world five years running, it’s hard not to be intrigued to see what all the fuss is about. Although Melbourne is a large city, the public transport network really does allow you to experience all it has to offer, with great ease. Therefore, even if you’re on a weekend break or a business trip, it’s easy to find serviced apartments in Melbourne, which will allow you to soak up and experience its heart thumping culture, and you’ll be hard pressed not to be taken aback by its buzz. It really does have it all.
With a fully functioning central business district combining busy office workers, baristas and graffiti galore, you could easily spend a morning walking around the laneways, sampling scrumptious breakfast dishes and melting into the most lovingly prepared coffee you have ever experienced. Although in the morning there is an influx of people into the city, the vibe is never hectic, it works like a well oiled machine, people buzzing around on bicycles, trams, and walking listening to the music of the city. Melbournites are beautifully chilled creatures, who are always happy to help out a visitor needing directions to the NGV or even offering unprompted tips about a cool bar or restaurant that has just opened. The CBD has a multitude of amazing dining experiences, sleek bars to frequent, a tip to finding these places is to walk the laneways, and also hold your head high and locate a roof top bar or two to get a great view of everything the city has to offer.
South Yarra is only a short tram ride away, where you can walk around the plethora of chic shops, and come evening watch this suburb come to life. With wine bars a-plenty, it’s a great place to shop and reward yourself for a hard day’s work with a crisp white wine from one of Victoria’s many vineyards.
The northern suburbs of Melbourne are the hipster hangouts, where you’ll find artwork on every free wall, fixie bicycles and cool cats hanging out drinking a frosty beer or two. These chilled out suburbs are a great one to experience via foot or bicycle, allowing you to capture the individuality of every café, shop and watering hole. If you love beards, skinny jeans, and rockabilly chicks, this is a great way to spend the afternoon people watching.
St Kilda is the nearest beach to the CBD and has a brilliant vibe with all types of people heading down to relic in the sun, and alfresco dining, best experienced in the sea breeze. Teaming fresh oysters with a fine wine or if you are partial to a bit of spice, a Bloody Mary, it is a great place to relax and take in the rhythm of its people.
If you have time to head to a Melbourne market during your stay, it’s a great place to purchase some fresh Victorian produce, and to see why Melbournites are such foodies and supporters of local farmers. Any of your purchases will allow you to whip up a beautiful fresh picnic to take on a trip down the Great Ocean Road, to embrace the last drops of Victoria with surf beaches, laid back coastal towns, and the most stunning sunsets.
It’s hard to understand why anyone who visits Melbourne could ever want leave, the place is like a beating heart of warmth, culture, music and art. After leaving your warm apartment bed to return home, Melbourne’s culture and heart will beat steadily in your memories until you return once more.
