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Melbourne, Australia musts - do, eat, stay, pack
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items Planning a dreamy Melbourne escape? This is your ultimate go-to guide for all things effortlessly cool and totally essential. From hidden laneway cafes and rooftop bars to stylish stays and what to actually pack (because Melbourne weather has moods),...
Sections
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STAY
EAT
DO
PACK
STAY
Melbourne’s original boutique hotel. Playful, modern, and full of personality. Known for its rooftop pool with a glass bottom and its proximity to every cool laneway. The vibe is fun, flirty, and unapologetically bold. 🍭👠
Adelphi Hotel, Melbourne - Botique at its best!
This boutique hotel feels like a little creative sanctuary tucked right into the theatre district. I loved how it blends luxury with a cool, artsy vibe, think moody lighting, velvet textures, and design details that make you want to take photos in ev...
Lancemore Crossley St. Melbourne
Staying at the W Melbourne felt like stepping into a high-gloss dream. From the moment I walked in, the mood was ultra-luxury meets edgy sophistication, think mirrored ceilings, bold art, and velvet everything. The service? Flawless. The vibe? Immacu...
W Melbourne
If you want to be right in the heart of everything, The Westin Melbourne is it. You step outside and you’re instantly surrounded by theatres, designer boutiques, cosy cafes, and the best of Melbourne’s laneway culture. It’s tucked between Collins and...
The Westin Melbourne
Stepping into The Windsor feels like stepping back in time, in the best way. It’s one of Melbourne’s most iconic historic hotels, with grand staircases, heritage architecture, and a timeless elegance that’s hard to find elsewhere. What I loved most? ...
The Hotel Windsor, Melbourne
If you’re craving a luxurious escape with a touch of old-school glamour, The Langham delivers. From the moment I stepped into the chandelier-lit lobby, it felt indulgent in the best way, florals everywhere, plush carpets, and that signature Langham p...
The Langham Melbourne
QT Melbourne is where I go when I want a stay that’s as stylish and playful as the city itself. Every corner of this hotel is dripping with character, think plush velvet, quirky art, and mood lighting that makes even brushing your teeth feel cool. Th...
QT Melbourne
This place will always have my heart. I got married here, so it holds so many beautiful memories. The setting is pure magic: a grand historic mansion surrounded by sprawling gardens, ancient trees, and that peaceful, golden Australian countryside lig...
Lancemore Mansion Hotel Werribee Park
If you want all the vibes of a 5-star getaway without the huge price tag, the Marriott Docklands totally delivers. The rooms are modern and stylish, the service is top-notch, but the real star here is the rooftop infinity pool. It curves around the b...
Melbourne Marriott Hotel Docklands
EAT
🍵 CIBI – Japanese Calm in a Collingwood Warehouse. CIBI is where minimalism meets soul. Tucked inside a sunlit Collingwood warehouse, it’s part café, part concept store, part slow-living daydream. Come for the Japanese-inspired breakfast (the miso s...
CIBI Melbourne | Design Food Space
My fave go to wine bar in Melbourne CBD. Tucked away on iconic Flinders Lane, this wine bar is equal parts moody and magical. Think: exposed brick, warm lighting, and a curated wine list that reads like poetry. Come for the pinot, stay for the effort...
MELBOURNE WINERY
Right across from Cutler & Co., Marion is the laidback little sister who still knows her wine. It’s where locals go for impromptu afternoons that turn into dreamy nights. With a rotating wine list, exposed brick, and that effortlessly stylish Mel...
Marion Wine Bar
This is the place for those who love their wine with character and their evenings with quiet confidence. Nestled in leafy Carlton, this modern classic offers a refined yet cozy setting where every glass feels intentional. The interiors are minimalist...
Carlton Wine Room
Shop and Snack at Queen Victoria Market Melbourne’s iconic open-air market. Perfect for fresh produce, handmade goods, and street food.
Queen Victoria Market
Tucked into Little Bourke Street, this pasta bar is cozy, refined, and endlessly romantic. Their silky tagliatelle and squid ink gnocchi will ruin all other pastas for you. Come hungry. Leave dreaming about carbs. 🍷🍝
Tipo 00
An iconic Melbourne experience. South-East Asian flavours meet electric pink neon, loud music, and the kind of energy that turns dinner into a night out. Start with the kingfish sashimi. Finish with a cocktail downstairs. 🥢✨
Chin Chin Melbourne
This is what farm-to-table looks like in Melbourne. Each dish highlights Victorian regions and ingredients, and the result is deeply personal and proudly Australian. The kind of meal that makes you feel connected to the land. 🌾🥕
Victoria by Farmer's Daughters
Stepping into Gimlet feels like being transported to 1920s Paris—or a Gatsby party with better lighting. Think leather banquettes, dim chandeliers, oysters, and perfect martinis. It’s elegant without being stiff, indulgent without apology. Come here ...
Gimlet
Grill Americano is where classic Italian meets sexy steakhouse energy. Picture perfectly charred bistecca, truffle tagliolini, and an interior that screams luxury from the emerald marble to the moody lighting. Ideal for a dinner that means business… ...
Grill Americano
High-energy, high-flavour, and unapologetically loud—in all the right ways. Yakimono brings a Japanese grillhouse vibe with neon glow, smoky skewers, and cocktails that pack a punch. It’s like a Tokyo izakaya met Melbourne edge. Go for the chaos, sta...
Yakimono
Stepping into Pellegrini’s is like flipping into a black-and-white photo. It’s nostalgic, loud in the best way, and unapologetically unpolished. Long marble bar, espresso in real cups, and hearty pasta served by people who feel like family. No bookin...
Pellegrini's Espresso Bar
This enchanted, book-themed bar is straight out of a fairytale. Think glowing mushrooms, potion cocktails, and books stacked from floor to ceiling. Every drink is a story (literally), and every corner feels like a secret world. Perfect for fantasy lo...
StoryVille
Hochi Mama is one of my go-to spots in Melbourne when I’m craving something bold, flavourful, and a little bit fun. The vibe is vibrant and a little edgy—perfect for a dinner out with friends or a date night where the food does not disappoint. I espe...
HOCHI MAMA, Melbourne
DO
Tucked into the heart of Carlton’s leafy streets, Readings isn’t just a bookstore, it’s a ritual. Whether you’re chasing literary fiction, poetry, or something you didn’t know you needed, this is where book girl magic lives. Come for the books. Stay ...
Carlton — Readings Books
A peaceful escape in the city. Take a slow walk, lie under a tree, or journal by the lake.
Royal Botanic Gardens Victoria - Melbourne Gardens
A mix of classic and modern exhibitions, and an iconic stained-glass ceiling in the Great Hall.
National Gallery of Victoria
Go for the architecture, stay for the reading nooks and quiet grandeur.
State Library Victoria
Tucked behind trees by the river, Abbotsford Convent is part art hub, part historic hideaway. Stroll the gardens, visit artist studios, browse bookshops, and grab a croissant from the on-site bakery. The energy is peaceful, slow, and deeply local. ☁️...
Wander through Abbotsford Convent
Hidden in Melbourne’s oldest arcade, Spellbox is part boutique, part magical portal. Crystals, spells, and aura readings for when you want to lean into the mystical side of the city. 🔮✨
Book a tarot or aura reading at Spellbox
PACK
Melbourne’s weather is moody. A neutral jacket will save your look and your comfort.
Womens Outerwear
A Compact, Windproof Umbrella is non-negotiable. The rain comes and goes fast.
BLUNT Umbrellas Australia | Engineering joy.
This is my must-have for flights. If you're travelling to Australia you'll need this. Once you’ve travelled with a silk pillow there’s no going back. The Slip Jet Setter is ultra-soft, gentle on your skin (no creases!), and helps keep your hair smoot...
💤 Slip Jet Setter Travel Pillow – Luxe Comfort in the Air
This little bottle might not look fancy, but it's one of my go-to travel essentials. I use it to decant my favourite cleanser, toner, or even micellar water, whatever I need on the go. It's made from 100% recycled plastic, which I love for reducing w...
♻️ Sephora Recycled Travel Bottle – Practical, Eco-Friendly & Always in My Carry-On
I absolutely love this little atomizer for keeping my favourite perfume with me wherever I go. It’s compact, lightweight, and super easy to refill, making it perfect for handbags, travel, or even just freshening up on the go. I use it daily, it’s so ...
Sephora Pocket Atomizer Mini – My Signature Scent, Always With Me
Whenever I’m flying into Melbourn, especially on a long-haul or late-night flight I pack these Boiron Jet Lag Relief pellets. They’re easy to take (just melt under your tongue), super light to travel with, and genuinely help me feel more balanced whe...
Boiron Jet Lag Relief
If you're heading to Melbourne during the warmer months and planning time in parks, vineyards, or day trips along the coast, these little mosquito repellent patches are a lifesaver. I pop one on my clothes or bag before heading out, and they keep bug...
Cliganic, Mosquito Repellent Adventure Patches
Melbourne weather can surprise you, one minute cloudy, the next full sun, especially if you're walking the city or heading out to coastal spots like the Mornington Peninsula. This Hawaiian Tropic sunscreen is my go-to SPF for being out and about. It’...
Hawaiian Tropic, Everyday Active, Sport Sunscreen Lotion, SPF 50
These little soap sheets have become a permanent fixture in my travel pouch, especially when I’m out and about in Melbourne. Whether I’m exploring laneways, browsing through bookstores, or snacking at a food truck market, sometimes public bathrooms d...
Fomin, Travel Soap Sheets, Fragrance-Free, 100 Sheets
I never travel without these toothbrush protectors. Especially when I’m hopping between hotels or staying somewhere with limited bathroom space (hello, Melbourne staycations!). They clip right over your toothbrush head, keeping it clean, dry, and saf...
GuruNanda, Toothbrush Protectors, 4 Brush Pods