My Fifth Trip to Melbourne: I Found Even More to Explore!
Just last week, I wrapped up my fifth trip to Melbourne. You might wonder why I keep returning to the same destination.
Actually, I often ask myself that same question. I always thought it was just because I missed the city, but after this trip, I realized that's not the whole story—there are still countless hidden gems waiting to be discovered here.
This time, I spent four days and three nights exploring Melbourne and its surroundings. Let me share the treasures I unearthed!
The best way to quickly get to know a city is to take a city walk. Melbourne is perfect for wandering—you can pop into interesting buildings and shops when you see them, and when you get tired, sit down for a coffee or a drink at a street-side café or bistro. The rhythm of a city walk here is all about strolling.
🌟 Hopetoun Tea Room 👉 Melbourne's oldest tearoom
Starting afternoon tea at the Hopetoun Tea Room in the Block Arcade is the best way to enter vacation mode. It's located at the entrance of the beautiful 19th-century Block Arcade. Crowds of tourists from around the world sit in the slightly cramped space, and the low hum of conversation is the best comfort.
Why do tourists love coming here for afternoon tea? Because this shop has over 130 years of history and is Melbourne's oldest tearoom. On my previous visits, I was always scared off by the long queue, but this time the line wasn't too long, so I seized the chance to fill that gap in my travel experiences.
I love looking at their window display—it has an antique artistic feel, and the visually striking desserts are incredibly tempting. You can't help but stop and stare. Overall, their tea and pastries stick to traditional flavors, with a high level of sweetness. If you're in a group, I recommend sharing.
🌟 State Library of Victoria 👉 Victoria's state library
People often fall in love with a city because of its cultural and artistic atmosphere, and Melbourne is Australia's cultural and arts hub. To soak up the local culture, you have to visit the State Library of Victoria.
It's Australia's oldest public library, founded in 1854. No tickets or reservations are needed to visit, but please don't go in large groups or make loud noises. Once inside, spread out and don't disturb people who are reading or studying.
As one of the top three libraries in the world, it has become a popular Instagram spot, especially the La Trobe Reading Room with its circular dome, which looks like a palace. The reading desks radiate outward from the center of the dome, and the skylight at the top lets in natural light, giving the entire space a strong artistic feel. Sitting here to read is a true pleasure.
The best spot to photograph the library is on the 6th floor public area, accessible by elevator. Then go down one floor via the stairs—that's the best spot to capture people within the space. This secret isn't something most people will tell you, hehe.
When you're tired from exploring, head to Mr Tulk restaurant on the side of the State Library for a brunch and a flat white, and you'll instantly feel like a local.
🌟 National Gallery of Victoria 👉 Victoria's national gallery
The National Gallery of Victoria isn't exactly off the beaten path, but why am I writing about it? Because as Australia's most important art venue, it hosts major exhibitions every year. Currently, there's a triennial exhibition, which best showcases the gallery's strength and is not to be missed. Admission is free, and it's best to visit on weekdays to avoid crowds.
Outside the event, there are live performances, DJs, artist talks, and creative activities related to the exhibits! During my trip, the Australian Open was on, and British artist David Shrigley created a large installation using 8,000 tennis balls—'Melbourne Tennis Exchange Wall.' Even this year's Australian Open runner-up, Zheng Qinwen, visited it.
I also saw the previous triennial, and this one still features plenty of works using sound, light, electricity, and new materials. They are both artistic and highly shareable on social media—I suppose that's the form of contemporary art!
🌟 Old & Rare Books 👉 An old bookstore
How long has it been since you visited a bookstore? But in Melbourne, you must check out this inconspicuous street-side bookstore. It has been around for over half a century and consistently ranks high on lists of bookstores worldwide. I think besides having various antique books, you might also find many out-of-print or rare editions here. The shop is small and not crowded; it's fine to take photos inside, but please don't talk loudly or disturb the quiet atmosphere.
🌟 St Kilda Beach 👉 Best sunset viewing spot in Melbourne
Is there a beach near Melbourne city center suitable for a stroll? Yes! St Kilda Beach.
For two consecutive trips to Melbourne, I spent the first evening at St Kilda Beach. Not only for the stunning sunset, but also because it offers a different perspective of the city. On one side, the brilliant sunset; on the other, the magical city skyline. This beautiful scene is often missed by most travelers.
Next to St Kilda Beach is a famous local food street. Every evening after work, people gather here. If you didn't check the date, the lively atmosphere would make you think it's the weekend every day.
I've eaten at two restaurants on this street. One was a Thai place—their curry soft-shell crab left a deep impression. Today, I want to recommend Bistro Voliere, an authentic French bistro.
I've had plenty of French meals, but Bistro Voliere, with its Spanish-style tapas feel, is more suited for a vacation. Most dishes are for sharing. Both the chef and the staff are from France, and I highly recommend the quality and taste.
🌟 Victoria by Farmer’s Daughters 👉 All ingredients sourced from Victoria
My first celebratory dinner with my travel companion was at Victoria by Farmer’s Daughters. It's not only a chef-hat restaurant but also was an invited resident restaurant at the Australian Open.
Upon entering, you can see local Victorian ingredients displayed on a table nearby. Opposite is an open kitchen with a few bar seats—probably the best seats in the house, where you can watch the chef cooking.
I love this place because even the sourdough bread from the start is impressive. The vegetable and seafood dishes have a fresh taste, and I highly recommend the steak—absolutely delicious. The whole meal doesn't feel too heavy; by the time dessert arrives, you're just satisfied.
This restaurant offers great value—Michelin-level quality at reasonable prices. Worth a try.
🌟 City Wine Shop 👉 The most popular local wine bar
In Melbourne, locals don't seem to be that into afternoon tea; instead, they're obsessed with afternoon drinks. Seats at City Wine Shop are in high demand in the afternoon—you might need to wait to get a drink. The crowd shows how Melburnians prefer wine over tea.
City Wine Shop has both indoor and outdoor seating, with limited indoor seats. I personally prefer the outdoor area. Next door is the famous Princess Theatre, which hosts many wonderful shows—just finishing a three-year run of 'Harry Potter.' Not far away is the Parliament of Victoria, where you can see many newlyweds in wedding dresses and suits taking photos. In such a romantic atmosphere, sipping a drink and chatting is truly charming.
I think another reason this bar is famous is its huge selection of wines—an entire wall full of bottles, plus bar snacks. Whenever I have time on my Melbourne trip, I come here for a glass.
Another label of Victoria is fine wine. For locals, wineries are like their backyard—a weekend lifestyle. As a traveler, since you're in Melbourne, you should visit at least one winery. After careful consideration, I chose the Mornington Peninsula, mainly because it's close to Melbourne and easy to explore.
🌟 Pt. Leo Estate 👉 Winery with a sculpture park
Pt. Leo Estate is about an hour's drive from Melbourne. Its beachside sculpture park makes it an iconic landmark. Upon entering the restaurant, the first thing that catches your eye is the stacked wine display, and the second is the sculptures outside the glass windows.
We booked this restaurant over a month in advance, and each order can't exceed 6 people. The restaurant has a chef-hat rating. Even a two-course lunch costs around 500 RMB per person, and adding a glass of wine or drink makes it more expensive. However, the price includes admission to the beachside sculpture park, which eases the pain a bit.
But the wine tasting here is a great deal—five glasses for under 100 RMB, definitely worth trying. It includes sparkling, white, red, and rosé wines.
After enjoying the meal, stroll through the park to see over 60 works by local and international artists, including Tony Cragg, George Rickey, Jaume Plensa, Lenton Parr, and Andrew Rogers. They recently acquired Yayoi Kusama's red pumpkin piece, so even the menu features that artwork.
These artworks stand against the gentle gradient of the harbor coastline. Even spending a whole day here is worthwhile—it truly blends beautiful scenery, food, wine, and aesthetics.
🌟 Mornington Colorful Bathing Boxes
Travelers familiar with the Mornington Peninsula will know the colorful bathing boxes by the seaside, because Jay Chou also visited here. The colorful boxes under the sun and the open sea create a special harmony that naturally lifts your spirits.
Maybe you've never been to Melbourne, but you've surely heard of the Twelve Apostles. Yes, they are in Victoria, the most iconic landscape of Melbourne, about a three-hour drive away. If you're visiting Melbourne for the first time, don't miss them—because the sea breeze is accelerating their erosion, so you might not get another chance.
You might see people online complaining about the Twelve Apostles' scenery because they saw it like this! Why does that happen? Today, I'll reveal the secret.
First, note: You must go to the Twelve Apostles on a sunny day. Check the weather after arriving in Melbourne before deciding when to go. You can even book a tour on Ctrip two days in advance.
Second, the typical tour itinerary is: Split Point Lighthouse - Lorne Town - Apollo Bay lunch - Gibson Steps - Twelve Apostles - Loch Ard Gorge. Attention! You must reverse the route! The correct way is to go to the Twelve Apostles in the morning, then drive the Great Ocean Road to Lorne Town in the evening. Because in the morning, the Twelve Apostles are lit from the front, appearing golden. In the evening, they are backlit, looking like dark lumps. Also, after lunch, driving the winding Great Ocean Road is less likely to cause motion sickness, and you'll better appreciate its beauty.
When you arrive in Lorne Town, be sure to try the ICE CREAM shop recommended by our driver. I thought it might be average, but it was really delicious—whether the mint chocolate or pistachio flavor. The driver himself ordered a rainbow ball—a big bowl with five scoops! I immediately believed him.
Finally, let me share about Lorne Town. It's a wealthy area near Melbourne, where you can see many yachts in the harbor, a beautiful bay, and sandy beach. If you return early, it's worth exploring.
Travel time always flies. When I start counting down, I always feel like I haven't had enough—that's probably why I miss it. Actually, once you truly experience Melbourne, you'll find that you don't need a reason to visit Victoria, because every beautiful moment here becomes a reason for your next trip.
I'm already looking forward to my sixth Melbourne trip!
Travel Directory: 1. Melbourne 2. Mornington 3. Great Ocean Road and Twelve Apostles
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