Melbourne is a heart-warming city that many enjoy visiting. From food to culture, nature, and historical sites, there’s a lot to explore. Here’s how to experience this charming city as a local would.
Merri Creek
For a local, Merri Creek wouldn’t exactly be a secret spot, but it’s not the sort of place to appear on travel lists either. Locals love it for walking and cycling through a landscape that constantly shifts and bends. Along the way, there are several attractions to explore, including the Collingwood Children’s Farm, the Abbotsford Convent arts precinct, and the CERES Environmental Centre.
Many come here over the weekend to simply chill, stroll, ride, catch up with friends, or walk their dog. This stretch of greenery that cuts through the suburbs provides a serene haven to escape the city buzz for a while.
Springvale
Not exactly lesser-known, but Springvale isn’t part of most travel itineraries. If you were to ask a local for suggestions, however, Springvale would likely come up. From the city centre, it’s about half an hour by train or car. The area is packed with Vietnamese and Cantonese shops, and this is where the cultural diversity Melbourne is known for really comes to life.
Cambodian eateries are a big draw for many as well, especially locals looking for something different to try. Buckingham Avenue is the place to go to explore some of the local landmarks. From a Melbourne CBD hotel, it’s easy to get here. For example, Pan Pacific Melbourne is less than an hour’s drive from Springvale.
Street Eats
Melbourne has a pretty good street-food scene, but the best of it won’t be found in the most obvious places. Follow the locals’ trail to enjoy delicious food and have a good time. If you’re in the CBD area, Flinders Street is almost incomparable when it comes to street food.
Just as good are Little Collins and Little Bourke streets. Some may argue that Crossley Street and Romeo Lane top the list, and you could make a strong case for Degraves Street and Hosier Lane as well. The best part is that they’re all located a short distance apart, so you can easily explore them all.
Tour the MCG
If there’s one thing you should do, even if you’re pressed for time, it’s tour the MCG – and no, you don’t have to be a sports fan.
Melbourne is rightly called the sports capital of Australia, and the city hosts major events throughout the year. Some of the best-known include the AFL Grand Final, the Boxing Day Test, the Melbourne Cup, the Formula 1 Australian Grand Prix, and the Australian Open. Locals often say that sport is a religion in the city, and if that’s the case, the MCG is where people go to worship it. This is not just any stadium; it’s where locals flock to see history made and cheer their favourite teams.
What makes it so special, though? Well, first of all, it’s huge. It can accommodate over 100,000 spectators, making it the largest stadium in the world – a modern colosseum, as it were. If you manage to find a seat during a popular game, the atmosphere will blow your mind. This is also where Taylor Swift performed during her Eras Tour, inevitably attracting the largest crowd ever – 90,000 to be exact!
If you visit Melbourne during a major event, try to secure tickets – you’ll thank yourself later.
Shopping
There’s no better place to understand Melbourne’s character than its fresh-food markets. The Queen Victoria Market, for example, is a miniature replica of the city. Grab a coffee from one of the many cafés along Market Lane. If you want inspiration or a reference, just talk to a local. There are chocolate stores, doughnut vans, and bookstores all around, so you’re guaranteed a great experience.
Victoria Market isn’t the only market worth visiting, by the way; there are plenty of others, including Preston Market, Dandenong Market, South Melbourne Market, and Footscray Market.
Old Melbourne Gaol
Yes, this is a popular tourist attraction, and no, it’s not lesser-known. In fact, it’s one of the most well-known places in the city. Both tourists and locals visit to relive history and understand the city’s past. The gaol dates back to 1842 and has a bloody history, with 133 of the most notorious criminals put to death during its 80 years. Ned Kelly is the best-known of them all – he was executed at the age of 25.
The place has a spooky, ghostly feel, but it’s also fascinating. The stone walls, gloomy cells, and the limited natural light that reaches the interiors make the atmosphere quite bleak and unsettling, which is exactly part of its fascination.
Take the time to study the collections of photos inside the cells; they reveal a lot about what transpired within their walls.
More Places to Visit
The list is endless, and there’s always another place to visit in Melbourne. If time allows, consider visiting the State Library of Victoria, Eureka Skydeck for the views, the Royal Exhibition Building, Melbourne Botanic Gardens, Brighton Beach Boxes, Albert Park Lake, and the Yarra River.
