Sarah's Trip to Melbourne
By Sarah Wynne
Last year I travelled with my friends to Melbourne and spent 10 days enjoying this amazing city. We flew with Etihad from Dublin to Abu Dhabi and from Abu Dhabi to Melbourne. From Melbourne Airport we took a taxi to the city centre which took about 20 minutes.
Location
Melbourne is an amazingly cosmopolitan and cool city. With it is architecture, hip cafes, art galleries, outdoor activities and music it is a city which offers a considerable amount of culture to be enjoyed by all ages. We stayed in the 4 star Novotel Melbourne Central Hotel. The hotel is in Melbourne CBD, close to trams and public transport. The rooms are really comfortable and modernly decorated. There are various facilities in the hotel including a bar, restaurant, café and fitness centre.
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What I Loved
We loved Queen Victoria Market where you can find lots of fresh products and souvenirs, and the Eureka Skydeck which gives an incredible view of Melbourne.
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Activities & Places to See
- Stroll around the Queen Victoria Market, where you can find fresh products, hot donuts, food, souvenirs, and homewares.
- Visit the National Gallery of Victoria, which is home to more than 75,000 works of contemporary and ancient art.
- Spend a relaxing afternoon at the Royal Botanic Gardens. This huge garden is home to over 8,500 plant species, with calm, zen lakes and green lawns perfect for picnics and walks.
- See Victoria's stunning coastline on a day-trip to Great Ocean Road.
- Visit Phillip Island where you could see seals, penguins, whales, kangaroos and koalas, and you could even enjoy some beach time while you're there!
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Shopping
Melbourne has a mixture of traditional Australian products and international goods on offer. You'll find plenty of international brands as well as local labels and chic homewares. Melbourne Emporium, Chapel Street and Melbourne Central are home to many shops that suit all kinds of budgets and it the ideal place for shopaholics who want to treat themselves on their holiday to go. Bourke Street and Brunswick Street are good spots to find some wonderful Australian local shops which sell a range of souvenirs and clothes. The Rose Street Market also sells plenty of souvenirs and unique handmade things and has a great vibe!
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Food & Bars
Melbourne has plenty of bars and restaurants so you'll be spoiled for choice when deciding where to eat! One evening we had dinner in Etta restaurant, which was a trendy restaurant that served tasty international cuisine. We also tried Indigenous cuisine in Charcoal Lane restaurant, which made for a very interesting experience. Rooftop at QT was another place we loved, as they had an excellent wine list, good vibes and an amazing view of the city.
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Beaches
St Kilda Beach is one of Melbourne’s most famous beaches. It is a gorgeous sandy beach that is also home to an iconic amusement park with unique rides and delicious food on offer. It is a must-visit for tourists! Port Melbourne Beach is located in the suburb of Port Melbourne. The beachfront has modern homes, restaurants, hotels and cafés for tourists and locals alike to enjoy and relax in.
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Book a Melbourne holiday with Escape2. Browse the website or call us on (01) 435 0005.