Holidays in Melbourne, Australia
Melbourne is the capital of Victoria, but is better known as the city of arts and culture. The third-largest city in Australia has many sides. It is the city where good food and coffee drinking are high on the list, but also the place where people want to get lost, discovering one of its many hidden alleys. The city is much loved, as Melbourne was recently voted the world's most liveable city for the sixth time in a row.
Melbourne has over 5 million inhabitants, which is quite a lot for a city that was only founded in 1835. Two-thirds of the city's population is not from Australia, which is reflected in the Vietnamese, Turkish, Greek and Chinese neighbourhoods in the city centre. Outside the centre, called CBD by Australians, are nice, young neighbourhoods like Fitzroy, Brunswick, Carlton and St Kilda. Characteristic of these neighbourhoods are long streets full of vintage shops and the many cafés.
It is said that Melbourne has four seasons a day, and that is true. Where it can be sunny in the morning, it can rain heavily in the afternoon and be lovely and warm again in the evening. Remote Australia is on the other side of the world, and so the seasons are reversed. They are mild, sunny winters and warm, dry summers.
Coffee and beaches
If you ask a local to describe life in Melbourne in a few words, the word 'coffee culture' definitely comes to mind. Australians love coffee, and especially in Melbourne this has become a real hype. On every street corner there is an atmospheric coffee shop with good lattes, cappuccinos and 'long blacks'. Fancy a really good coffee? Walk in to Shotstop, Manchester Press or Wide Open Road, some of Melbourne's best cafés.
If you want to avoid the busy city centre for a while during your holiday, Melbourne has some beautiful beaches less than half an hour away. 
St Kilda Beach is 20 minutes from the city centre and is a quiet beach with the distinctive Pier House and penguins coming out of the water around sunset. A little further out of town is Brighton Beach, known for its many coloured beach houses, which does make it quite touristy.
A slightly quieter beach is Half Moon Bay. It resembles a California beach: rugged and among old, high rocks. Melbourne and the surrounding beaches lie at the top of Port Philip Bay, one of the reasons why surfing is not possible like in the rest of Australia. That said, the beaches are all beautiful and robust.
Art and culture in Melbourne
Melbourne is also the right city for art lovers. The Melbourne Museum, located in the Carlton Gardens, offers a collection of old and new art depicting Australia's history well. Right next to the Melbourne Museum is the Royal Exhibition Building. The building was designed for the 1880 World's Fair and it is still used for exhibitions.
Right in the centre, next to the Yarra River is the Australian Centre of Moving Images, a museum focused on film and animation. The ACMI also works extensively with film festivals to promote new films. Another landmark building is the State Library of Victoria, the library where just walking around is a treat. The library also has its own exhibition space and a nice café, Mr Tulk.
Markets and vineyards
Fresh fruit, the well-known donuts and souvenirs: the Queen Victoria Market on Elizabeth Street in the CBD is open five days a week and has an evening market in the summer and winter months. The Queen Victoria market is almost always busy, but then it has some of the best fruit and vegetables in the whole city. Locals and many tourists alike come here daily to do their shopping. A fine, cosy market in the middle of the city.
Just outside the city is Yarra Valley, the site of many vineyards. There are many vineyards in the state of Victoria, but Yarra Valley is certainly the most popular. Less than an hour away is this beautiful valley, with stunning views. Many day tours including a wine tasting are offered from Melbourne, but it is also an option to rent a car yourself and book a tasting.
A holiday in Melbourne: it's definitely worth it. It's over a 24-hour flight from Amsterdam, but once you're in the city you'll immediately forget that and understand why it's the world's most liveable city.
Sightseeing in Melbourne top-10
Melbourne is home to Australia's oldest and largest museums, but you'll also find amazing street art and bold architecture. Admire grand Victorian monuments, wander around old markets with fresh produce or take the lift to the top floor of mirrored skyscrapers.
Holidays in Melbourne: practical tips
Staying in Melbourne
While Melbourne may not be as popular as Sydney, there is a wide choice of accommodation in the city. Melbourne alone has 400 hotels, in all price ranges. You can also find bed & breakfasts, flats and holiday homes. A large number of campsites and campervan parks can be found in the area. The price of hotel rooms is higher than in most other Australian cities, so it is advisable to book in advance. Especially during peak season (the Australian summer) and during major sporting events. Important matches of cricket, rugby and Australian football often take place in Melbourne and attract many fans.
Looking for cheap accommodation for your holiday in Melbourne?
The Central Business District (CBD) is one of the best neighbourhoods to stay in. This is Melbourne's city centre with many hotels, restaurants and coffee shops. Famous sights and museums are within walking distance and there are good public transport links to other areas of the city. And even though the area is known as a 'business district', it is by no means deserted when Melburnians have finished work. After office hours, you can take a pub crawl past numerous cafes, bars and clubs. Just keep in mind that the CBD is always busy, so for more peace and quiet, it's better to stay in another district.
For an equally captivating experience, explore the enchanting area of Lygon Street. This vibrant hub is home to various Victoria hotels on Lygon Street, and among them stands The Langham Melbourne, a true gem of luxury and elegance. The Langham Melbourne epitomizes opulence and sophistication, offering a delightful fusion of comfort and convenience. Its prime location on Lygon Street places it at the heart of Melbourne's cultural scene, surrounded by an array of attractions and activities. Each of the exquisitely designed rooms and suites invites you to indulge in a lavish stay, complete with world-class amenities and unparalleled service.
An original place to stay in the city centre is the colourful Adelphi Hotel, known as Melbourne's most Instagrammable hotel. The entire interior of the 4-star boutique hotel is inspired by sweets and desserts, and you can see it everywhere. Expect chocolate-coloured furniture, cake-patterned carpets and bowls of sweets scattered throughout the hotel. Immediately after entering, you run into a horse and carriage that serves as the reception desk. The hotel has two restaurants and a heated rooftop pool. Through the metal windows and concrete facade, you can still see that this was once a warehouse from 1938. ► Book a night at the Adelphi Hotel from €194
