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Travelling to Melbourne next month - top tips for things to see ?

Operajulian

Julian
Hi there
I am going to a nephew's long (covid) delayed wedding next month. We will be staying in the Fitzroy North area of the city. Are there any top tips for things to do in Melbourne - bearing in mind we are an audio community ? Record shops, concert venues, hifi stores - that kind of thing.
Though decent places to eat / drink also helpful.

Cheers
Julian
 
Going back quite a few years now, but Lygon street was always a popular area for bars, restaurants & cafe’s & quite a few of them operate the “BYO” way, which is bring your own wine. Plenty of places to buy wine along the way at good prices & then just pay a reasonable corkage fee at the restaurant of your choice. It may have gone a bit too touristy, but no idea what it’s like in the post-covid world.
Nice city with a decent work-life balance from what I remember.
 
A ride on the trams is a must. I used to enjoying riding out to beachside St. Kilda. Queen Victoria Market is also worth a visit if you like that kind of thing. Loads of dining options, but not sure about hifi or music shops.
 
Ride the tram down to St. Kilda and go and see the penguins. Also a walk along the river where the bars and casinos are at night is fun.
 
I used to live in Fitzroy North. There is a lot to do within walking distance. Brunswick Street in Fitzroy and Smith Street in Collingwood are great for browsing/grazing/drinking and all within walking distance or a quick tram ride of Fitzroy North. There used to be a new record shop on Brunswick Street (Polyester) and a very good second hand shop (Dixons). There were other record shops on Smith and Gertrude Streets in Collingwood.

You might also register on Stereo.net.au and ask the same question. They are a very friendly bunch and will be far more up to date than I am as I left Australia in 2010.

My number 1 recommendation for non-music related things to do in Melbourne is to hire a car and drive the Great Ocean Road. I would recommend driving down via the G.O.R and staying in Apollo Bay overnight. You can then do the remainder of the G.O.R. including the 12 Apostles and the Shipwreck Coast and get back to Melbourne via Colac the next day if you are pushed for time. If you aren't pushed for time there are some wonderful cool temperate rainforests that are worth a visit, along with other interesting little towns like Warnabool (means 'Windy') that are quite fun.
 
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when i went to St Kilda, our chosen hotel, was surprised we wanted a room for longer than few hours
 
Go to the art gallery, National Gallery of Victoria. Not been for a while, but was excellent last time I went - admittedly in the 1960s !!!

Go to the Dandenongs, which are in easy driving distance, and there is ancient forest with the tallest trees on the planet, and a very good chance of seeing a Lyre bird, and near certainty of seeing wallabies and many exciting birds. There is also a famous steam railway, which I haven't been on.
 
Market is huge, most actual things (inc records) are expensive though as cost of living is high (wages are too)

Breakfast out is a thing there, lots of options and lunch too is amazing quality in the cbd where all the business types eat, fab sandwiches

st kinda as others have said is a nice tram ride out to the beach but don’t sta6 there
 
Thanks for the travel tips.

The National Galley of Victoria has also been highly recommended to us - they do special Friday night events.

Yes - we are also heading out on the south coast - long way round to Adelaide as well. Seeing the 12 Apostles and more - even going on the ferry over to Kangaroo Island.
It turns out that Scottish Band, Del Amitri are on tour there so seeing them in the old theatre/concert venue in Adelaide. Last saw the at The Barrowlands in Glasgow - which was very much a hometown gig for them.

I welcome more thoughts and suggestions.
Julian
 
The free walking tour of Melbourne is great and gives you a good fe for the place. Also, as mentioned, St.Kilda and the market are worth a visit. If you have a whole day spare, a Yarra Valley wine tour is superb - pick one that finishes up at Domaine Chandon!

Drink -wise, the Ponyfish Island bar under the bridge in the middle of the Yarra river is quirky and does cracking cocktails.

Finally, and most importantly, don’t miss some of the best cakes on the planet at Brunetti.

https://brunetticlassico.com.au/
 
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In the city - it's relatively small and very pleasant just to have a wander around. The lanes, and Vic market if you like markets. The Botanical gardens are a lovely walk and there are concerts held there in the summer. Sit on the grass and take a picnic and a bottle, wonderful.
From Fitzroy North you could just walk along the Yarra into the city. Used to cycle it and very pleasant.
If anyone's playing at Federation Square, get there! There's lots of music venues and always lots going on, gigs are plentiful.
St Kilda - didn't like it much, though the (ancient in parts) Luna Park was fun for the kids.

A little outside town there are some nice walks (if that is your thing) in the Dandenong Ranges (e.g. Olinda).

The ocean road is great. If you have a little time and staying anywhere nearby, then close to a small town called Forrest (inland) there is Lake Elizabeth. A bit of an off road drive to get to the car park, and then a bit of a walk to get to the lake, but watching duck-billed platypus splashing about in the wild at dusk is quite special (needs to be at dusk, not out during the day). It's a nice walk and there was nobody else there on the occasions we went.

Record shops and hi-fi shops - wouldn't bother....expensive, limited choice. I was buying records (and hi-fi) from the UK and getting them shipped.
 


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