Listly by Joanna James
Australia's cultural capital of Melbourne opens out to the ardent traveller, taking you on journeys through its engaging sights & sounds that arrive in all shapes & sizes no matter where you go.
Move through well-paved lanes, discover the city's obsession with street art, have tales of the region's historic allure narrated to you by a local (should this be to your fancy) and pause only to delight in a cup of coffee and munch on favourite Aussie food. A walking tour of the city center will bring you all this and so much more with the added thrill of being able to meander along at a pace you are comfortable with.
Not only is the National Gallery of Victoria the largest and oldest of its kind in the country but also the most visited art gallery in Australia which showcases a breathtaking collection that will woo art lovers from across the world. On average, tours to the Gallery can be completed in a matter of two hours but what you will see would surely leave you in complete awe of this edifice and what it presents. Take pleasure in the work of local artists and also the Gallery's permanent exhibition which brings to light masterpieces in the global art sphere as well.
Step inside a world filled to the brim with towering trees and free-flowing rivers en route to falling in love with one of Melbourne's most acclaimed and treasured attractions. At the Royal Botanic Gardens, nature lovers like yourself will be handed an opportunity to not just go picnicking and enjoy a movie night during summer but further, to better equip oneself on the importance of biodiversity whilst learning of threatened and rare plant life. One of the purposes of the Gardens is to educate and share knowledge on plants and their natural habitats; a provision which is found in the Royal Botanic Gardens Act of 1991 which governs the Royal Botanic Gardens Victoria.
Yearning for some fresh produce or better yet? How does a hot jam donut which is one of the city's prized possessions sound after a day out exploring? Visitors to Melbourne ought to have the name 'Queen Victoria Market' written down on their itinerary as the place leaves 'no stone unturned' in affording everything that the present-day foodie in you can handle. Be it homemade pasta, succulent seafood dishes, specialty cheeses to fresh fruit & vegetable; the Market overflows with diverse creations and especially, stories that date back to its origin in the 19th century. Just a 5-minute drive from properties like Oaks Melbourne on Lonsdale Suites which is one of the best Melbourne hotel apartments you should consider staying at during your time in the city, this thriving marketplace projects varying hues of everyday life which would make for quite a fascinating adventure indeed.
Melbourne's nightlife scene is as engaging and lively as the attractions that are on show during the daytime. Part of the spectacle of holidaying in the city would be to visit its jazz clubs. For instance, Bird's Basement and Paris Cat Jazz Club combine to afford one awe-inspiring night filled with tunes that you can begin grooving to or tapping your toes to.