From the city to the coastlines, these recommendations will make the most out of your visit Down Under (Photo: 123RF)
Whether you are a returning traveller to Australia or visiting for the first time, Victoria is always worth carving out time for. From the vibrant city of Melbourne to the nearby coasts and countryside, here is a list of spots to see, things to do and places to eat and drink while in the Garden State.
Melbourne
Home to eclectic street art, booming coffee culture and one of the world’s most diverse gastronomic scenes, Melbourne is a highly favoured travel destination for its young and hip vibe as well as its ability to blend metropolitanism with slower-paced lifestyles.
This balance between busy and relaxed is probably best observed at one of the city’s several marketplaces. Queen Victoria Market may be the obvious choice, but if you are the sort to get overstimulated by large throngs of people, then the calmer South Melbourne Market might be more your pace. Founded in 1867, the plaza has grown into the quintessential spot not only to procure fresh produce but also to dine, shop and mingle with the local community.
Swing by in the morning to get first pickings of Agathé Pâtisserie’s buttery, flaky offerings (the pandan croissants are positively divine, especially for the Malaysian palette). For something savoury and truly Australian, pick up piping hot meat and veggie dumplings from South Melbourne Market Dim Sims, widely agreed to cook up the best of this beloved steamed or fried finger food commonly enjoyed at sporting events. Freshly caught seafood can be bought and enjoyed at several stalls so fret not if you have a hankering for an oyster or a dozen.
If you love a spot of thrift shopping, the weekend Fitzroy Mills Market is just 10 minutes away. Here, a sharp eye and good stamina will serve you well as you peruse the several booths selling all sorts of trinkets and curios, from rings crafted using antique cutlery to hand-printed t-shirts. If you find yourself plagued by a case of post-thrifting peckishness, the famed Lune Croissanterie sits just a few minutes away on foot, though we seriously recommend dropping by well before noon to avoid the queue that inevitably snakes its way out the front door and around the corner.
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A well-rounded exploration of Melbourne would be incomplete without a stroll down Hosier Lane. This single downhill cobblestoned alley has become a public canvas for the city’s most artistic, rebellious and outspoken creatives. The collection of artwork is ever-changing, so the street never looks exactly the same as before, making each new visit an irresistible game of spot the difference.
If you prefer to view your art indoors and have a taste for the greats, The Lume Melbourne is worth booking. After going viral for its digital Vincent van Gogh exhibition, the gallery’s ongoing presentation projects the elaborate art of Renaissance genius Leonardo da Vinci on tall white walls. Visitors are welcome to sit and meditate in the moody main space or browse the many nooks filled with recreations of the master’s paintings, machines and handwritten notes.
Other spots to truly get acquainted with the city include Block Arcade, a historical Victorian shopping mall modelled after Milan’s Galleria Vittoria Emanuele; Flinders Street Station, the central hub of Melbourne’s train systems; and the impressive echoing halls of State Library Victoria.
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Of course, there is no better way to end a day than with a gorgeous meal and a tipple or two. At renowned chef and restaurateur Andrew McConnell’s latest gem Gimlet, European-inspired dishes are generously portioned and truly sumptuous. Start your experience right with crispy gnocco fritto, salty bresaola and parmesan or baked scallops with hollandaise while sipping on its namesake tangy gin cocktail to whet your appetite.
Meanwhile, Victoria by Farmer’s Daughters’ Provenance menu comprises the restaurant’s tried-and-true best, from smoked mussels served with chickpea, fennel and dill to the light but savoury grilled market fish in umami mushroom broth and smoked scallop salsa. Do not be shy about asking the staff for a cocktail or wine recommendation. Modern Chinese spot Lee Ho Fook also makes an impression with its tea or wine pairing menus that serve up refined versions of classic dishes such as prawn toast, mud crab rolled rice noodles, Peking duck and perfumy jasmine ice cream with sticky red bean.
For a nightcap to remember, only Caretaker’s Cottage — the sole Melburnian establishment on the World’s 50 Best Bars lineup — will do. Seating inside the tiny house is limited but guests are welcome to plonk down at the picnic benches or the grass-covered patio outdoors, which is arguably even more fun. The house martini is a foolproof option for those who love the classics while more spirited patrons will enjoy the adventurous cocktails — the fruity Milk Punch, refreshing Rhinestone Cowboy and saccharine Cosmic Beat are winners in our books.
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Bellarine + Mornington Peninsulas
In a post-pandemic world of hybrid working, many Melburnians have traded in the frenzied city life for the calm of the neighbouring coastlines. Located an hour and a half’s drive from Melbourne is the charming Bellarine Peninsula, a scenic stretch of beaches, seaside villages and several well-known vineyards such as Jack Rabbit and Leura Park Estate.
One of the most-visited spots along the cape is the small township of Portarlington, thanks to the historic Grand Hotel, close proximity to local wineries and, of course, Port Phillip Bay mussels which are widely agreed to be the best in the Land Down Under.
These inky-shelled molluscs are cultivated in the deep cool waters by the family-owned Sea Bounty group, which award-winning mussel farmer Lance Wiffen helms along with a passionate team of farmers, cooks and deckhands to create the Portarlington Mussel Tours.
Step on-board Valerie, the 40-year-old refurbished mussel trawler lovingly named after Wiffen’s mother, and join the crew as they venture out to the farms for the day. Sip on local Bellarine-grown wines as you get up close and personal with the local marine ecosystem and learn all about the local bounty and its environmental and nutritional value. Savour freshly shucked oysters and mussels, then get over any existing inhibitions about handling shellfish at home with the simple and thorough on-board cooking demonstration.
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Arguably even quieter and more secluded than Bellarine is Mornington Peninsula. Easily accessible via the Searoad Ferries from Queenscliff, the sleepy town of Sorrento is a beach-goer’s paradise. Sandwiched between the flat and occasionally swan-filled Sorrento Front Beach and Sorrento Back Beach that sits beside the Mornington Peninsula National Park (which boasts hiking trail views that are well worth waking up at the crack of dawn for), the area is a hotspot for surfing, kayaking and picnicking.
It would be amiss, however, to visit Mornington without going for a soak at a local hot spring. Depending on where you stand on the rustic-boujee spectrum, your time (and money) will be well spent at either the well-established Peninsula Hot Springs or new kid on the block Alba Thermal Springs & Spa. Regardless of which you decide to patron, you will find many geothermal pools of varying temperatures to take a dip in, as well as wholesome dining options — Alba is home to celebrity chef Karen Martini’s restaurant Thyme while Peninsula Hot Springs grows their produce at the Food Bowl garden and amphitheatre — to complete your wellness journey.
Balance out the naughty and nice scales at the JimmyRum distillery and cocktail bar. The first coastal craft rum producer in Australia, the relatively small but award-winning cane spirit label stands out in a nation known for its wine. Reserving a tasting session is highly recommended, if not for the excellent rum, then for the chance to catch Jimmy himself — founder James McPherson — and share some lively banter over liquor.
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Yarra Valley
Recognised as Victoria’s wine hub, Yarra Valley is a haven for those who cherish the quaintness of the countryside and good vino. Among the popular vineyards, St Hubert’s is one that should be high on your bucket list. Founded in 1862 and still standing as one of the region’s oldest wineries, the estate’s portfolio of cool climate wines like Chardonnay and Roussanne will have you looking into bringing a bottle or two home. Sit down for a tasting overlooking the vines, accompanied by a selection of local cheeses and charcuterie.
On a more alternative but still undeniably impressive note, the Helen & Joey Estate meshes ultra-modern aesthetics with cultural influences from the namesake founders’ Chinese heritage. The grounds’ new boutique hotel and restaurant Re’em (a word from several versions of the Bible transalting to ‘unicorn’, referencing the winery’s crest that symbolises grace, determination and sophistication), offers 16 luxuriously furnished rooms and distinctive dishes imagined by chef Abe Yang. Savour a wine pairing dinner highlighting key Chinese flavours and seasonal produce before winding down with a bath in the massive round tubs that gaze out to a vista of the vineyards during the day.
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Once you have had your fill of wine, explore the other spirited goodies the valley has to offer at Four Pillars’ distillery. The cradle of the accolade-cinching gin label, the establishment has tasting and mixology masterclasses available for booking as well as a bar at which you can enjoy a world-class drink. Make sure to stop by the gift store and pick up a limited edition bottle which makes a terrific souvenir for the gin lover in your life.
Finally, satisfy a sugar craving at Yarra Valley Chocolaterie and Ice Creamery, which is perhaps the closest one can get to Willy Wonka’s fantastical factory. If you have little ones with you, sign up for one of the hands-on workshops and have fun creating your own candies. Additionally, keep an eye out for the high tea events that are staged throughout the year, curated by the meticulous team of chocolatiers and pastry chefs. Talk about ending on a sweet note.
This article first appeared on June 3, 2024 in The Edge Malaysia.
