A Winter's Day - Melbourne

Description:

Inexpensive, hearty meals and a bustling train station ambiance fuse to make this restaurant deservedly popular. Friendly and sometimes amusingly unprofessional waiters, a bar, a sunny balcony, a groovy lounge area, open fireplaces and a Brunswick Street-style of hip all combine to make Blue Train one of Melbourne's most emulated establishments. The varied menu includes many wok tossed and wood-fired options. Try the grilled sakanaki, wood-fired pizzas and noodle dishes.

Our Local Expert Says:

It’s unthinkable to visit Melbourne and not stop in at the National Gallery of Victoria. Visit mid-week to avoid the weekend rush and don’t even think about visiting on Mother’s Day.

Description:

Located on the tree-lined St Kilda Road, The National Gallery of Victoria (NGV) is home to a world-class international art collection. The permanent display offers visitors some of the biggest names in international art, but be sure to check the temporary exhibition program in advance to make the most out of your visit. The worldwide collaboration between leading curators provides for an exciting catalogue of work.

Don't miss The Great Hall with its rainbow prism stained-glass ceiling or the Water Trail permanent display out front. The easiest way to get round is to take a free tour-guide so you don't miss any of the displays.

Our Local Expert Says:

The Australian Centre for the Moving Image (ACMI) is a must for any serious film buff. Luckily you can leave your black beret at the door because media art has never been so accessible.

Description:

More than a just a refuge for film buffs and gaming geeks, Australian Centre for the Moving Image (ACMI) provides an interactive multimedia experience for all ages. The world's largest screen gallery, ACMI is devoted to the promotion of innovative cinema, television, new media and games, inviting punters to experience multimedia art with the same consideration often restricted to more traditional art forms.

Opening 2002, ACMI is nestled in Melbourne's iconic Federation Square. Conveniently located opposite Flinders Street Station, it's easy to pop in for a film, talk, creative workshop or exhibition. Get lost in the maze of interactive screen galleries and make your own moving image story.

Our Local Expert Says:

Degraves is one of several restaurants that occupy one of Melbourne's classic laneways. Diners are packed in close, waiters race around and students and business people jostle for spots in the outdoor area. It's very popular for breakfast and lunch, but the laneway is delightful in the evening, also.

Description:

Degraves Espresso Bar is the perfect place to muse over a cup of coffee or to catch up with friends. The pleasant ambiance and arty decor add to the charm of this cozy and compact venue. A great place to grab a bite when you're in a hurry or to enjoy dining in the outdoors. The menu boasts of European dishes and also vegetarian grub. For that perfectly blended coffee and tasty soups this place is highly recommended.

Our Local Expert Says:

Where every night is action packed, Melbourne’s Chinatown is the best place to grab a cheap bite to eat when bar hopping in the CBD.

Description:

For something that's Chinese, there's nothing foreign about Melbourne's Chinatown.

Carving the centre of Melbourne's Central Business District (CBD) in the top end of Little Bourke Street, Chinatown is a bustle with restaurants, shops and a mixture of delicious aromas with at times, rather unsavoury wafts from back alleys. But we're talking Melbourne where smelly alleyways boast some of the coolest hole-in-the-wall bars, so best look for the giant dragon gates and jump on board the orient express.

Whether its Yum-Cha at the Shark Fin Inn or some Placenta face-cream from one of the many beauty shops, Chinatown is mostly hit up by Melbourne's hipsters for cheap and fast dumplings. David and Camy is an institution on Thursday nights for bright young things in tight denim, flannel and neon lipstick, fresh from the latest exhibition opening and hungry for some pork dumplings at below reasonable prices.

A maze of shops of things you didn't know you needed awaits and you'll feel strange air of shopper's delight and remorse when you leave with a giant cat shaped lamp under your arm.

Look up from street level windows of slightly depressed crayfish to reveal a plethora of karaoke joints... read more