36 hours in Melbourne, Australia

Melbourne's quintessential charm lies in its multiculturalism. (Photo courtesy Visit Victoria)

The world’s coffee capital and equally the world’s sporting capital. Not too many cities offer the Melbourne’s heady mix of sporting activities, outdoor options, weekend drives, fine cuisine and stellar coffee. Add the gorgeous parks, retail options and a seamless inner city tram network and you have the perfect work or holiday destination. Melbourne consistently ranks among the top 5 in the world’s most livable cities. It’s also one of the easiest cities to visit. Our list is a great starting point whether you’re looking to extend your work trip or planning a holiday to Australia:

Be a sport

Melbourne Cricket Ground. (Photo: Ashwin Rajagopalan)

Paris has the Eiffel Tower, for me, the Melbourne Cricket Ground is probably the landmark that defines the Victorian capital. I’ve done the 75-minute MCG tour on five different occasions, and I can’t wait to be back for the next one and for some live cricket action at the G (The Aussies love their short forms). In 1877, the MCG hosted the first ever test match between England and Australia, a game that Australia won by 45 runs. There are hardly any remnants from the 19th century; the G is a stark contrast to the Lords. This is one of the world’s largest cricket stadiums, it’s also the only cricketing venue that hosted an Olympics opening ceremony (in 1956) and then went on to host the Commonwealth Games in 2006. It’s not just a cricketing venue but is also the premier Oz Rules Football venue.

The MCG has always been at the forefront of change. It’s here that the first One Day International was played (in 1971) and where day and night cricket truly took off with its Giant screen and coloured clothing. The G is also home to some of Australia’s most treasured sporting memorabilia and also houses larger than life statues of Australian cricket icons like Shane Warne and Dennis Lillee. The tours are led by volunteers from within the MCG member community who are not just storehouses of information but also beam with pride. Melbourne also hosts the Australian Open (Tennis) and the Formula 1 (that will take place in March 2024).

Surf the third wave

There are a couple of interesting threads that connect India’s coffee legacy and Melbourne’s strong coffee culture. Baba Budan, a wandering Sufi 17th century cleric is believed to have risked his life and smuggled seven coffee seeds out of the port of Mocha in Yemen. He planted these seeds near Chikmagalur in Karnataka. It’s no coincidence that Mark Dundon and Bridget Amor – who are widely credited for pioneering Melbourne’s Third Wave of Coffee Culture, called their café Seven Seeds. This is one of the cafés that are a must stop in Melbourne with its industrial-chic vibe. Almost everyone’s a coffee snob in Melbourne and the café landscape is dominated by local cafés and not chains like most other parts of the world.

Brother Budan café, Melbourne. (Photo: Ashwin Rajagopalan)

One of my favourite Melbourne hangouts is Brother Budan café in Little Bourke Street in the heart of the CBD. Do look up at the ceiling when you’re here – an assortment of chairs hanging from the ceiling make the perfect prop.

Degraves Street, Melbourne. (Photo: Ashwin Rajagopalan)

Degraves Street is a popular pitstop for coffee aficionados and tourists alike. Melbourne is one of the first cities in the world to embrace the third wave of coffee in the 2000s that saw cafés and serious players sourcing beans from farms instead of countries and the focus shifted to bring out the unique characteristics of each bean during the roasting process. You will be spoilt for choices in the city. From Monk Bodhi Dharma to Higher Ground that’s located in a heritage building to Auction Rooms, each café in Melbourne has its own fascinating tale. And yes, you are unlikely to find a better Flat white anywhere in the world.

Retail therapy

When in doubt head to Chaddy. Chadstone Shopping Centre is one of Australia’s oldest malls and one of the largest in the world. Home to over 500 retail brands, it offers a wide array of options across price points. My other ‘go to’ spot is the DFO South Wharf, that’s located close to the CBD. I’ve always found compelling deals on most brands here; it’s also a great spot to check out some of Australia’s home-grown fashion brands like YD. It’s not all just malls in Melbourne. I’d recommend a visit to the historic Queen Victoria Market that dates back to 1878. It’s where locals and tourists head for some of the finest local produce and souvenirs. It’s a great spot for breakfast. Wash it all down with a speciality hot chocolate at the city’s newest Chocolate chain – Mörk

Of fascinating lanes and alleyways

Melbourne. (Photo: Ashwin Rajagopalan)

Melbourne’s offbeat ‘Lanes and Arcades Tour’ is another experience that allows you to scratch the surface and go off the beaten track; literally. It’s not just the fascinating tales that you hear along this walking tour but the little discoveries along the way. L’Ucello a quaint haberdashery (store that sells sewing items) with a smattering of threads, colours and accessories is one such spot, even if sewing is not your scene. It’s one of the many cult stores located in the 1920s era Chicago-style Nicholas Building not far from Flinders Station. The clocks at Flinders station have now become part of Melbourne folklore. For decades, these iconic clocks have not just kept tabs on train timings but are Melbourne’s favourite meeting place in the centre of town and have spawned the phrase - “Meet me under the clocks”.  Hosier lane is another alley that you will uncover along this trail, a spot where the city’s Graffiti artists have left their indelible, colourful impression.

Dine your way through Melbourne

Gimlet, Melbourne. (Photo: Visit Victoria)

Aside from coffee and sport, Melbourne can also stake claim as one of the world’s culinary capitals. This is after all Master Chef playground. My current favourite is Gimlet, a glamorous dinner venue that evokes the Art Deco era. Dress sharp for this trendy venue with its ornamental chandeliers and switched-on service crew.

Big Esso by Mabu Mabu, Melbourne. (Photo: Visit Victoria)

Head to Big Esso by Mabu Mabu that celebrates native Australian ingredients (their spin on a caramel custard with a wattle seed twist is one of the best desserts in town). This casual restaurant is next door to Federation Square, one of the city’s iconic landmarks and the Federation Square Art Gallery with its emphasis on local art. Another outstanding CBD dining venue is Farmers Daughters that showcases the high-quality produce from the Gippsland region of Victoria.

Melbourne Skyline. (Photo: Ashwin Rajagopalan)

If you have longer than a weekend in Melbourne, head to St. Kilda, a historic beachside neighbourhood that’s easily accessible from the CBD by tram. You can also do one of the many half-day drives from Melbourne that take you to scenic locations like Yarra Valley with its fine wines and spectacular landscapes. There’s Mornington Peninsula, once a small seaside village that is now on quite a few travel hot lists. The area’s eclectic combination of Aussie charm and a European coastal vibe with galleries, spas and cafés is almost irresistible. But it’s the CBD that’s the best place to tap into the quintessential Melbourne charm and its unique vibe shaped by one of the most multi-cultural societies in the world.