Australia’s hub of hipness
Every year, the Formula One roars through the center of Melbourne, spooking local swans and causing general havoc. It sounds reckless, but to the fun-loving denizens of this South Australian city, it’s business as usual. Melbourne, you see, is Sydney’s cooler cousin. Its diverse blend of ethnicities lends it a cosmopolitan vibe, a cultural mix best reflected in the bountiful varieties of cuisine offered on most any street. Favored with a thriving art scene and home to several internationally known bands, Melbourne inches towards the future in a country where sheep shearing songs are still fondly broadcast on a regular basis. But there’s plenty to see and do outside of the galleries. Queen Victoria Market draws a serious collection of traders offering fresh foods, leather goods, and miniature statues of folk hero Ned Kelly, complete with tiny iron helmet. It’s easy to visit the site of the gold rush of 1851 or tour Victoria’s famous vineyards. A streetcar ride to the southern coast offers a chance to conquer the wooden roller coaster at Luna Park or to grab a pint at the Esplanade Hotel, one of Melbourne’s classic venues. Melbourne still captures the relaxed, insouciant air that makes Australia a welcome retreat, but there’s no mistaking that it’s a city with a pulse
more Melbourne photos
Melbourne videos
