Melbourne offers a wide range of culture and great food (Kieran Stone/Getty)
Melbourne has always been a culture hotspot, home to high-profile museum and galleries as well as offering on-foot adventures and a real insight into the area’s history.
From historic shopping lanes to icons of film and fashion, dome trips and, erm, charred emu skewers, the state capital of Victoria is full of surprises.
With so much to soak up, here’s our quick guide to the must-sees of the moment.
Feeling arty
Visit now and you can catch the electrifying Alexander McQueen: Mind Mythos Muse at the National Gallery of Victoria (until April 16, tickets £16).
The collaboration between the gallery and Los Angeles County Museum of Art showcases a drool-worthy collection of the designer’s clothes and accessories, paired with gallery artefacts that reflect his inspiration.
Mind Mythos Muse shows Alexander McQueen originals (Picture: National Gallery of Victoria)
The Australian Centre for the Moving Image launches Goddess: Power, Glamour, Rebellion on April 5 (tickets £14) celebrating kick-ass female movie stars from Marilyn Monroe to Michelle Yeoh.
The Royal Exhibition Building (Alamy)
Take a walk
The state capital’s beautiful, 19th-century Royal Exhibition Building was modelled on London’s Crystal Palace. It has just added a new element to its guided tour, the Dome Promenade, where you can explore its 68m-high exterior dome, offering views across the city (tickets £16). A Lanes and Arcades tour, meanwhile, takes in elegant, art deco shopping precincts – the arcades – and the interesting, narrow laneways.
Many are lined with European-style cafés or, like the famous Hosier and AC/DC lanes, covered in vibrant street art (tickets from £54 for three hours).
An electric GoBoat
Prefer the water? Then grab a picnic and putter along the Yarra River in one of a fleet of new e-powered GoBoats (one hour from £70, seats up to eight).
Federation Square (Alamy)
Aboriginal experiences
Aboriginal culture is prevalent throughout the country and in May, Melbourne holds Australia’s only First Nations-led arts festival, YIRRAMBOI. The word means ‘tomorrow’ to the Boonwurrung and Woiwurrung peoples of Victoria, and this festival connects First Nations creatives locally, nationally and internationally to showcase the richness of their culture.
Familiarise yourself with Aboriginal history and traditions at the Koorie Heritage Trust on Federation Square.
Mabu Mabu Big Esso
Tuck in
Next to the trust isthe recently opened Mabu Mabu Big Esso, which brings indigenous ingredients and flavours to a diner-style joint. Created by Torres Strait islander chef Nornie Bero, it offers kangaroo and pepperberry tartare, and charred emu liver skewers.
If you like it hot, the hip new Thai restaurant BKK offers spicy ocean trout salad, chicken curry puffs and chiang mai sausage. Don’t miss its rooftop bar HER.
The newly opened Parcs specialises in zero-waste, sustainable dining, using leftovers and cooking byproducts. And Victoria By Farmer’s Daughters is the latest iteration from Peruvian chef Alejandro Saravia, who uses produce from farmers, growers and artisans within the state.
Rooms at Voco Melbourne Central from £142pn, ihg.com. For more information, go to visitvictoria.com and visitmelbourne.com
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