Melbourne Travel Guide

By Celeste McDonald

Here is a quick guide to get any Dubliner set up in Melbourne for the beginning of any Aussie adventure.

As a Melbournian born and raised, here are some of my favourite things about my home city. 

 

Melbourne Coffee 

Coffee – the coffee capital of the world (and Melbournians know it).

We are coffee snobs. To avoid the Starbucks (the mugs do make good souvenirs though)

Here are my top 2 coffee places that are also widely popular in Melbourne.

There are many more gems around the city and the more of a line there is to get into the place usually its pretty good.

 

Axil coffee roasters

Axil coffee roasters (I have been to the Hawthorn and Melbourne Airport branches).

The coffee is great, one of the better places to go and with stores across Melbourne’s CBD, Melbourne International Airport and Hawthorn and Chadstone Shopping centre they must be doing something right

For more information locations https://axilcoffee.com.au/pages/our-locations 

 

Pellegrini’s Coffee Bar

Pellegrini’s Coffee Bar in Bourke Street Melbourne Photo Curtesy of What’s on in Melbourne

A Melbourne Icon, Pellegrini’s is a great spot in the top end of Bourke Street in Melbourne.

This Melbourne icon has been going since 1954 for more information check out broadsheet Melbourne www.broadsheet.com.au/melbourne/cafes/pellegrinis and their Facebook profile www.facebook.com/pages/Pellegrinis-Espresso-Bar/146032138772817  located at 66 Bourke St, Melbourne VIC 3000, Australia.

For the history of this Melbourne icon https://australianfoodtimeline.com.au/pellegrinis-opens/ Pellegrini’s also serves traditional Italian food in addition to the great coffee on offer

 

Shopping in Melbourne 

There is plenty of shopping in Melbourne.

Here is the basic list, no we don’t have Penneys, Arnotts, Dunnes or Brown Thomas, Tesco Lidl.

However, we have the following (and most of these are nation wide so if you are travelling around Australia here is the quick guide).

For Groceries the main supermarkets are Woolworths, Coles and Aldi.

There is also the Queen Victoria Market if you are after a unique day out https://qvm.com.au/ 

Australia’s main Pharmacy chains are Chemist warehouse www.chemistwarehouse.com.au/ and Priceline Pharmacy www.priceline.com.au/  there are others however most people go to these two as they are everywhere.

Australia’s big 2 luxury department stores are department Stores are David Jones https://www.davidjones.com/ and Myer www.myer.com.au/  and out more budget friendly department stores are www.kmart.com.au/ and Big W www.bigw.com.au/ 

We have Zara, H&M and IKEA

For premium cosmetics we have Sephora however most of the bigger brands are at Mecca.

I would recommend creating an online account with each retailer as soon as you know where you are staying and checking with your accommodation provider if you can have good delivered to your accommodation so that you can hit the ground running (without the risk of incurring excess luggage charges).

 

Events in Melbourne

There is always something to so and see in Melbourne.

Melbourne is home to some of Australia’s best sporting events and venues none more important than the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) or simply “the G”. there is no better place to experience the thrill of an AFL (Australian Football league) match than at one of the bigger games especially when there is a 100,000 crowd in the stands.

There is also an opportunity to tour the grounds and book in for the Australian Sports Museum for more information www.mcg.org.au/ 

January the Australian open (tennis). The happiest of Grand Slams.

However, the heat in Melbourne in Summer is very real.

A good Sunscreen is a must

March The Australian formula 1 grand prix (F1), depending on the weather this weekend can throw up Melbourne 4 seasons in one day.

September AFL Finals (most of these matches are played at the MCG) this is the football code in Melbourne.

Usually it is a nice day, however it can be cold

December the Myer Christmas windows (Myer is a department Store in Australia).

Every Christmas there is a different story (usually aimed at children) that comes to life within the Windows.

The crowds flock in and this is a Christmas tradition in Melbourne.

We have Christmas in Summer and as for January the heat is very real, sunscreen is a must

 

Feeling homesick for Mum’s home cooking

While these establishments won’t be a replacement for mum’s home cooking, the following establishments claim to be a little bit of Ireland in Melbourne.

I have never been to either of them.

I only discovered both when researching for this guide.

However, these are both on the bucket list for when in Melbourne Next.

I have breakfast lunch and dinner covered.

Galtee café 2-6 New Street Richmond, they are open for Breakfast and is a little piece of Ireland in Melbourne serving Irish breakfast favourites.

For more information check out their website https://galteecafe.com.au/ and Instagram https://www.instagram.com/galteecafe/

The Irish times Pub Melbourne 427 Little Collins Street, Melbourne, VIC, Australia. Serving Lunch and dinner.

This traditional style pub offers authentic Irish and Aussie pub food, this gem of a venue also hosts private functions as well.

For more information and to book visit their website www.theirishtimespub.com.au/ and Instagram www.instagram.com/irishtimes.melb/