Visiting Melbourne
Melbourne is the capital of Victoria, and home to over 4 million people. Many of the citizens of Melbourne live in the suburbs that east and south of the Yarra River, sprawled around Port Phillip Bay and extending as far east as Mount Dandenong.
Melbourne was founded on the Yarra River in 1835 after an abortive bid in 1803 to establish a settlement inside the Port Phillip Bay heads near Sorrento.The Port Phillip District gained independence from New South Wales in 1850. Melbourne boomed in the 1850’s as a result of the gold rush in the region to the north.
Driving in Melbourne & Around Victoria
Driving in Victoria is relatively easy as Victoria is a small state. A seven day self drive car hire will allow you to cover most of the State easily. The Great Ocean Rd is popular and is a busy road on weekends and public holidays. We have maps and Travel Victoria Information on virtually all area’s for car hire within the State of Victoria. If you intend to use car hire and drive around the Melbourne metropolitan area, then you may require a GPS which we have for hire at $7 per day. We can also advise you how to complete the infamous ‘hook’ turn at tramline intersections in Melbourne’s CBD.
As all our cars are fitted with ETags, you will not have to worry about being penalised for using a toll road as all toll charges are automatically charged to your credit card. Random alcohol and drug testing is carried out by Victoria Police regularly in Melbourne Metropolitan Suburbs and all Regional areas of Victoria. Safe and careful driving is always the best insurance with car rental.
Long Distance Driving Advice for Car Rental in Victoria & Australia
If your travel plans are taking you in and around Victoria and perhaps even further interstate then here are a few tips which will make driving easier. If you intend doing a lot of freeway driving on your travels then selecting a rental car with cruise control will make a big difference to how you feel at the end of the day. 4-6 hour driving stretches tend to make the right leg sore without cruise control. Cruise control eliminates leg pain and also lessens the risk of speed camera/radar fines which are everywhere now. Taking a break every 2 hours is also recommended and will make driving easier if you have a rental car without cruise control. Dehydration can make you drowsy when driving so take plenty of water to drink for the trip.
If you are travelling interstate rent a GPS unit to make finding your travel destination easier. GPS’s (Sat Nav’s) are good value and you won’t get lost. If you intend driving in and around Melbourne then a GPS is a very good idea. Night driving in regional areas of Australia can be problematic with Kangaroo’s. If you can avoid travelling at night then do. This will lessen the risk of accidents and you will get to enjoy the overnight stay at a location of your choice and be fresh and relaxed to drive the next day.
Waterfront In Melbourne
The new development on the waterfront is called The Docklands or Victoria Harbour and is well worth a visit as is St Kilda and Port Melbourne. The waterfront area’s offer a change of pace and lifestyle and is the perfect place to be during the summer months. Not bad in winter either.
Sport In Melbourne
Melbourne is the sporting capital of Australia and hosts the Australian Tennis Open in January, Australian F1 Grand Prix in March, Presidents Cup Golf, AFL, Melbourne Storm NRL Team, Melbourne Rebels Super 15 Rugby Team, Melbourne Vixens Netball Team. With MCG, Eitah Stadium and now the new AAMI Park all sporting codes are covered like no other city in Australia. The first Tuesday of November each year also hosts the famous Melbourne Cup horse race and the day is declared a public holiday. Climate varies from cold in the Winter to occasionally very hot in the summer. Melbournians love their sport.
Travel Victoria Info
Top 13 Places to Visit in Victoria & Ski Victoria Resort Information
Daylesford & Hepburn Springs
Distance 110km Approx drive time 1 hour and 30 minutes.
Travel along the Western Highway through the thoroughbred country of Melton, home to many famous racehorses. Further along the highway, pass through Bacchus Marsh and Ballan, where historic architecture recalls the late 1800s and early 1900s. To the north, visit Lerderderg State Park or Wombat State Forest. Continue onto Daylesford. If you have time, unwind with a mineral bath or one of many other therapeutic treatments at the Hepburn Spa Resort.
Restaurants In Melbourne
Melbourne is regarded as one of the world’s ‘most liveable’ Cities and has a reputation as being more refined than its northerly neighbour Sydney, boasting the country’s finest restaurants and is acknowledged as the country’s most important financial centre. Melbourne has a blend of multi-cultural-ism and parts of the inner city have a distinct Asian feel now. China Town dominates Little Bourke Street and their is also now a feast of Asian food places to choose from in Elizabeth Street. Try some of the great restaurants in Flinders Lane and for other Great Food & Drink Places in Melbourne
Dining out in Melbourne, the best 5 Restaurants to visit!
Vue de Monde
It is a great hit in Melbourne. The main cuisine here happens to be Modern Australian. There are around four- and 10-course tasting menus. It is an ideal place for all who are looking for an extra exclusive experience. If you would like a Vue de Monde experience that is a little different, try Cafe Vue at Heide which is located at the Heide Museum of Modern Art.
Attica
Another place to pamper the foodie in you, Attica also specialises in Modern Australian cuisine. The restaurant’s signature menu includes Virginia Rose potato unwrapped, dressed and steamed under earth, a play on the Maori cooking technique Hangi.
Mo Vida
The cuisine here you get is tad different, as here it’s Spanish. All those who want to taste Spanish delicacies will find solace in Mo Vida.
Cutler & CO.
The restaurant serves uniquely Australian ingredients such as Marron, a Western Australian river crayfish, which are served à la carte and in classy, eight-course menus. The cuisine here is Modern Australian.
Pei Modern
The ideal cuisine at Pei Modern happens to be Modern Australian. However, the seasonal menu keeps changing on a daily basis. It is often complimented by some renowned dish along with the best of wines available in the country.
These are some of the better restaurants in Melbourne that not just offer tempting and super delicious dishes but are even known for their style statement. The ambience of each is elegant, soothing and provide an experience that will last with you forever!
Other Top Places to Eat & Drink in Melbourne
The Sandbar Cafe
175B BEACONSFIELD PARADE, MIDDLE PARK, For a change of pace this place will give you another face of the many faces of Melbourne. Over looking Port Phillip Bay it’s a tranquil getaway with great food. Excellent and very popular in summer.
Magic City Cafe’ & Wine Bar
Burke Rd, Camberwell is a gem. Food is excellent with variety, great wine selection and the best Vodka Martini’s in the Eastern Suburbs.
Groove Train
Bridge Road, Richmond is a great place for breakfast and they have a great variety of Eggs Benedict recipes. Check them out
Cafe’ 108
108 A’Beckett Street Melbourne City – Great place for breakfast and lunch with real chefs during the day. Great food at great prices in a great atmosphere with plenty of room in the inner city. Well kept secret.
Hanabishi Japanese Restaurant
187 King Street Melbourne – This place is authentic Japanese and rates very highly with us. Great decor, service and superb food!
Pier Hotel
Cnr Esplanade & Bay St Port Melbourne – Great hotel food and decor with window views out over Port Phillip Bay. Excellent selection of beers on tap and great service.
Rosati
Flinders Lane Melbourne City – In the Paris end of Melbournes Flinders Lane is another favourite. This place is huge with a fantatastic entrance. Food is always good, so is the service. Has a great bar which is very busy on Friday nights.
The Italian
16/101 Collins Street Melbourne – This place is absolutely superb nothing more nothing less. Fine dining excellence.
The Flower Drum
17 Market Lane Melbourne – Melbourne’s top fine dining restaurant specialising in Cantonese cuisine. You will be salivating at the thought of it after leaving.
+39 Pizzeria & Degustation Bar
362 Little Bourke Street Melbourne – Named after Italy’s international phone code, +39 is run by Remo Nicolini and, as you’d expect, this polished pizzeria is primo.
Martini Bar – Westin Hotel
Collins Street Melbourne – Great place for cocktails and drinks in a salubrous Hotel bar.
Platform 28
82 Village St Docklands – Docklands new exciting venture. Housed within the heritage Goods Shed North in Docklands, this prominent destination offers a brilliant mix of old and new.
Celadon Thai Restaurant
64 Camberwell Rd Hawthorn East – This place is tiny and you might drive by and miss it but don’t. The food is absolutely excellent and traditional Thai. Quite old world feel to it but that is appealing and it’s cheap. Shouldn’t be. BYO only.
Laikon Deli – Richmond
324 Bridge Road Richmond – Lots of goodies at the Laikon Deli – exc spanakopita, lasagne. Great coffee to, and we think one of the best deli’s by far in Melbourne.
Melbourne Bakehouse
210 Bay Street Port Melbourne – Excellent spot for brunch and lunch. Great sandwich’s pastries, cakes, coffee best cafe in Port Melbourne not far from the beach!
Shopping In Melbourne
Melbourne is well known for it’s fashion shopping, as we say “when the going gets tough, the tough go shopping in Melbourne!” The city boasts Melbourne Central, Myer and David Jones to shop ’till you drop’ and the famous strip shopping areas – Bridge Road in Richmond, Chapel Street in Toorak/Prahan, Burke Rd in Camberwell and the infamous Chadstone Shopping Centre.