How to Spend an Extra Day in Melbourne

Melbourne’s innovative galleries, cozy cafés and walkable neighborhoods often earn it comparisons to Europe’s great cities. And while there’s a certain old-world sophistication to Victoria’s capital, that’s only half the story. It also has a bustling, multicultural CBD that calls to mind New York or Hong Kong, wineries in its backyard like San Francisco, and access to wildlife (koalas! little penguins!) that’s basically unparalleled. Lacking Sydney’s world-famous landmarks, Melbourne hasn’t always been on the itinerary for many first-time travelers to Australia, but thanks to a host of direct flights and attention-grabbing openings, the city may finally be stepping out from the shadows and into the spotlight.

The Ritz-Carlton, Melbourne

The Ritz-Carlton, Melbourne / Photo: Courtesy of The Ritz Carlton

The tallest hotel south of the equator is all about the views. Visitors check in on the 80th floor and then take in panoramas at every turn: from the spa’s infinity pool, from the 257 guest rooms, from the Victoria-focused Atria restaurant, and especially from Cameo, a bar dedicated to rare and antique spirits.
ritzcarlton.com

Serai

Serai / Photo: Courtesy of Serai

Tucked away on a quiet CBD lane, this open-fire Filipino restaurant incorporates Aussie ingredients into dishes such as seared kangaroo kilawin and sticky adobo lamb ribs. And don’t sleep on the veggies! The charred Savoy cabbage cooked in the style of tocino (cured pork belly) is staggeringly lip-smacking.
seraikitchen.com.au

Caretaker’s Cottage

Caretaker’s Cottage / Photo Courtesy of Caretaker’s Cottage

Calling itself “probably Victoria’s smallest pub,” this intimate watering hole—which made its way onto The World’s 50 Best Bars list in its first year of operation—occupies a 1914 Gothic Revival cottage tucked behind a historic CBD church. The cocktails change with the seasons, but you can always count on eclectic tunes from the vinyl collection and perfectly poured Guinness.
caretakerscottage.bar

Ngali

Ngali / Photo: Naomi Rahim/Wire Images/Getty Images

As part of this sustainable fashion line, Wiradjuri designer Denni Francisco transforms works from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander artists into kaftans, silk dresses, scarves and more. Her first brick-and-mortar studio is in the new Melbourne Quarter development.
ngali.com.au

Royal Exhibition Building Dome Promenade

Royal Exhibition Building Dome Promenade / Photo: Courtesy of Museums Victoria/Photo: by Eugene Hyland

Opened in 1880 to host the first world’s fair in the Southern Hemisphere, this architectural marvel was the first building in Australia to earn UNESCO World Heritage status. Guests can again take a guided tour of its impressive, 223-foot-high octagonal dome, which was closed off to the public for a century.
museumsvictoria.com.au