Surrounded by wilderness and wineries, Melbourne is a place where natural wonder meets modern luxury. With an electric atmosphere of restaurants, bars, and upscale hotels at its heart, historic and cultural attractions galore, and access to some of Australia's most beautiful coastline, it's hard not to be swept away by the energy and beauty of a luxury holiday in Melbourne.
Surrounded by wilderness and wineries, Melbourne is a place where natural wonder meets modern luxury. With an electric atmosphere of restaurants, bars, and upscale hotels at its heart, historic and cultural attractions galore, and access to some of Australia's most beautiful coastline, it's hard not to be swept away by the energy and beauty of a luxury holiday in Melbourne.
Melbourne is known as the 'City of Culture' in Australia because it manages to combine historical attractions with modern street art, fine dining with pop-up restaurants, designer shopping with vintage boutiques, all with an effortless charm. Plus, if you want to explore the best museums, galleries and theatres in Australia, this is the place to be. Investigate the artsy neighbourhoods of Collingwood and Fitzroy, where you'll find kooky bars and pioneering art galleries, as well as attractions like Captain Cook's Cottage. Then blend a little retail therapy with a some history on Collins Street, renowned for its historic Victorian architecture, designer stores, and elite jewellers.
For sports enthusiasts, Melbourne Cricket Ground holds regular Australian-rules footy matches, and the nearby Melbourne Park hosts the Australian Open every year. St Kilda is a simple tram ride from Melbourne's city centre, and is home to the beautiful St. Kilda beach and its lively boardwalk. Hip cafes, coffee houses, bars, and shops abound here, as do trendy Melbournites looking for some seaside fun. While you're here, make time for Luna Park, the city's iconic theme park that dates all the way back to 1912. Further out of the city, you'll find the rolling hills and vineyards of the Yarra Valley, where award-winning wineries provide tours, and also serve haute cuisine and fine wines.
Summers in Melbourne (December-February) are warm and dry with averages of 25 degrees, but can rise to 30. This is perfect weather if you plan to spend the day at St. Kilda beach working on your tan, or are hoping to catch the stellar tennis games of the Australian Open.
The autumn season brings the top dogs in comedy together for a month of over 400 hilarious shows, courtesy of the Melbourne International Comedy Festival. This season is also ideal for sightseeing, as the days are around 20 degrees.
Your luxury holiday wouldn't be complete without the chance to enjoy the best cuisine that Melbourne has to offer. Whether you're drawn to beach-side bistros, the wineries, or high-rise restaurants with breathtaking views, fine dining opportunities are everywhere. International options are everywhere, and in certain areas you'll find a melting pot of ethnic communities, serving up fantastic food.
Favourite local haunts, are Lygon St in Carlton for Italian food, Footscray for African, Victoria St in Richmond for Vietnamese, Brunswick for Middle Eastern, and Chinatown for Asian cuisines.
Be sure to keep hold of your identification at all times, but it's a good idea to have a photocopy of your passport just in case. You will need to apply for a visa to visit Australia. Find more advice at GOV.UK with information on passports, visas and travel.
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TRAVEL AWARE – PREPARING FOR SAFE AND HEALTHY TRAVEL ABROAD
The Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) provide the latest travel advice by country including safety and security, entry requirements, travel warnings and health. For the latest FCDO advice please refer to travelaware.campaign.gov.uk
Current travel health information can be found by visiting travelhealthpro.org.uk/ a resource set up by the Department of Health. The advice can change on all sites so please check regularly for updates.