Joanna James
Home to chic coffee shops, quaint bookstores and unique street art, Melbourne certainly takes the crown for being the hippest city in Australia and is just waiting to be explored and discovered at leisure. Keen to check out Melbourne’s coolest and trendiest neighbourhoods in search of funky sights and tasty bites? Here’s a curated list!
Located just south of Melbourne’s city centre, St Kilda is a vibrant beachside suburb packed with plenty of cute cafes, outdoor pubs and a selection of fine restaurants that show off Melbourne’s rich multicultural heritage in the best light. Consider strolling down Fitzroy Street to discover this neighbourhood’s offerings of culture and entertainment in the form of attractions such as the famous Luna Park. St Kilda can be reached from many a hotel near Melbourne including the likes of Avani Melbourne Central Residences with relative ease.
Once a hard-working blue-collar area, Collingwood today is a literal hipster haven – whose streets are lined with record stores, punk music venues, coffee shops and art galleries – many of which are housed in renovated warehouses and worker’s cottages. If you consider yourself a foodie, consider making your way down Smith Street for a meal at any of Collingwood’s renowned fine-dining restaurants.
A regular music lover? You are sure to adore Brunswick. A decidedly diverse area, Brunswick attracts Melbourne’s young and hip crowd thanks to its plethora of live music venues. Also rich in culture, this particular area also boasts fantastic Mediterranean and Middle Eastern restaurants and popular beer gardens, while the east side of Brunswick remains more upscale and the haunt of young professionals.
While Melbourne might have its fair share of cool hipster hideaways and quaint and quiet neighbourhoods offering plenty of culture, visitors to Melbourne can’t help but love the city’s fast-paced and exciting Central Business District. Bound by Spencer Street, Flinders Street, La Trobe Street and Spring Street, Melbourne’s busy city centre is characterised by spacious tree-lined streets and tram lines running along them. There’s plenty to do here too – get your fill of culture at CBD’s many fascinating museums and art spaces, enjoy a spot of shopping at the iconic Queen Victoria Market, take a quick caffeine break at any one of its cool craft coffee shops and round off the day by taking in some fun and creative street art along Union Lane and Hosier Lane that stretch through the city. Overall, Melbourne’s pulsing CBD is an absolute gem worth exploring!
Uber cool, trendy, and upscale, South Yarra is renowned for its stunningly beautiful Art Deco-style apartment buildings, swanky concept stores, designer boutiques and tasteful cocktail lounges to boot. To have a well-rounded experience of South Yarra, check out its well-rated fusion restaurants, peruse art galleries, and take a relaxing stroll in the Royal Botanic Gardens that lie adjacent to this posh suburb. Do consider checking out some incredibly beautiful and well-preserved mansions that hark back to the 19th century that dot this leafy area.
A true believer that the pen is a mighty weapon, ventures into reaching the minds of every reader with the earnest hope of leaving an indelible stream of thought.
A travel writer who has a passion for fashion and a deep interest in admiring new and exotic attractions around the world.
